Friday, September 29, 2017

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month - Capt. Manuel Fernandez, Korean War flying ace


Manuel Fernandez entered the Army Air Corps in February 1943, and was commissioned second lieutenant in 1944, earning his pilot wings, but did not see conflict during WWII.  However, a decade later he saw combat in the Korean War, where he served with the 334th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron from September 1952 to May 1953.  He flew 124 missions. 

He became the third highest ranking American ace with 14.5, but he did it in only 9 months! When he left Korea he was the #1 American ace.  The two pilots who surpassed his record took longer to do it.

Unfortunately, I could not find any video footage of Major Fernandez.

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