American Fighter Aces Association facts for kids
The American Fighter Aces Association (AFAA) is a special group that honors brave American pilots. These pilots are called "Aces." To be an Ace, a pilot must have shot down five or more enemy aircraft in air battles. The AFAA celebrates the 1,450 American pilots who achieved this amazing feat.
You can find the AFAA at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. This museum has a special exhibit. It displays important papers, old items, and stories about these incredible Aces.
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History of the AFAA
The American Fighter Aces Association started in 1960. Its main goal was to honor the 1,450 American "Ace" pilots. On September 23, 1960, the AFAA held its very first meeting. This event took place in San Francisco, California. To become a member honored by the association, a pilot needed to have shot down at least five enemy planes during combat.
What the AFAA Does
The AFAA has an important mission. They work to keep the records of American combat fighter Aces safe. They also want to teach future generations about these heroes. The AFAA helps young people too. Each year, they give out scholarships to students.
Many of the AFAA's presidents have been Aces themselves. For example, Lt. Gen. Charles "Chick" Cleveland was president in 2014. Rear Admiral Edward Feightner also served as president.
American Fighter Aces: Living Members
The American Fighter Aces Association keeps track of its members. Here are some of the living Aces from different wars.
World War II Aces
| Name | Branch of Service | Aerial Victories |
|---|---|---|
| Ens. Donald M. McPherson | USN | 5 |
Korean War Aces
As of August 2025, there are no living members from the Korean War. The last living Ace from that conflict, Lt. Gen. Charles G. Cleveland, passed away in 2021.
Vietnam War Aces
| Name | Branch of Service | Aerial Victories |
|---|---|---|
| Col. Charles B. DeBellevue | USAF | 6 |
| Brig. Gen. Richard Stephen Ritchie | USAF | 5 |
| Lt. Col. Jeffrey Feinstein | USAF | 5 |
| CDR. Duke Cunningham | USN | 5 |
| CDR. William P. Driscoll | USN | 5 |
Congressional Gold Medal for Aces
The American Fighter Aces received a very special award. It was the Congressional Gold Medal. The 113th Congress awarded this medal to every American Fighter Ace. This happened on May 23, 2014.
The President and CEO of the AFAA attended a ceremony at the White House. There, President Barack Obama signed the bill into law. This made the award official.
See also
- List of World War II aces from the United States
- List of World War II flying aces
