Overview

• He died Aug. 14 at his home in Nebraska, his family told the Beatrice Daily Sun, with national coverage following from the Associated Press.
• The American Fighter Aces Association and the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum had identified him as the last surviving U.S. ace, defined as a pilot credited with five or more shootdowns.
• He flew F6F Hellcats with Navy fighter squadron VF-83 from the USS Essex in the Pacific, where he was credited with five aerial victories against Japanese aircraft.
• He received the Congressional Gold Medal and three Distinguished Flying Crosses, reflecting formal recognition of his wartime service.
• After returning to Adams, Nebraska, he focused on faith and community by founding youth leagues, leading Scouts and local veterans groups, and being honored with a town ballfield named for him; the Fagen museum saluted him at its Victory at Sea event last weekend.