![]()
?(Image of USS Essex Carrier Deck Replica from Fagen Fighters WWII Museum. Image of Donald McPherson from his obituary.)Donald Melvin McPherson, the last remaining WWII ace fighter pilot in America, died on August 14 at the age of 103.
According to ABC news, he served as a Navy fighter pilot against Japanese forces onboard the USS Essex during the later years of the war. McPherson enlisted at 18 years old in 1942 and flew as part of fighter squadron VF-83 in a F6F Hellcat. McPherson was listed by both the American Fighter Aces Association and the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum as the last living U.S. ace from the war.
RELATED STORIES:Last flying WWII-era Douglas A-20 Havoc crashes during airshow, injuring pilotCapital Wing Tour bringing WWII warbirds to 9 statesWWII-era Blue Spruce routes over North Atlantic removed
In order to be considered an ace, a pilot must shoot down five or more planes. McPherson described in an interview how he once had to shoot down two Allied aircraft while flying back to the U.S. A fellow pilot later pointed out a bullet hole about a foot behind his pilot seat. During his service, McPherson earned three Distinguished Flying Crosses and four Air Medals. He later received a Congressional Gold Medal in 2015, which his obituary states is a testament to his extraordinary service.
Outside of his military service, McPherson spent a majority of his life as a farmer and over 20 years as a rural letter carrier. His obituary reports that he was an active member of the Adams United Methodist Church, the Adams VFW and American Legion, He previously was a Scout Master for Troop 280 and served as the organizer, promoter and coach for the Adams Summer Baseball and Softball Leagues.