[DavidIsby]

from Facebook:

U.S. Naval Air Forces
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“On Aug. 10, 2022, we lost a giant of Naval Aviation. Cmdr. Dean “Diz” Laird embodied a level of excellence that all aviators strive for, but few achieve. He represented the best of us. Driven to defend his country after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Diz enlisted in U.S. Navy in January 1942, earned a commission in August through the cadet program, and earned his “wings of gold” in October. Then Diz got to work fighting for his nation.
During World War II, he flew Wildcats off of USS Ranger, and Hellcats from USS Bunker Hill and USS Essex. Diz would go on to make history by becoming one of only 18 Navy flying aces, and the only ace to shoot down enemy aircraft in both the European and Pacific theaters. He served as a flight instructor during the Korean War and flew missions in the A-6 Intruder during Vietnam.
Throughout the course of his roughly 30-year career, he logged more than 8,200 flight hours in both propeller and jet-powered aircraft, and made 520 fixed-wing traps. Diz still holds the record for the most arrested landings on a straight-deck aircraft carrier. At 95 years young, Diz flew his 100th aircraft, the T-34C Turbo-Mentor. Bravery, leadership, and excellence … Diz was in a category all his own.
We’ll miss you, Diz. Rest well; we have the watch.“
-- Vice Adm. Kenny Whitesell, Commander, Naval Air Forces
U.S. Navy
Naval History & Heritage Command
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)