American Aces Died in 2020

[Frank Olynyk]

BROOKS, James Lynn. 13. March 12, 2020, Los Angeles, California.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

[Frank Olynyk]

FEIGHTNER, Edward Lewis `Whitey'. 9. April 1, 2020, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

[Frank Olynyk]

AUST, Abner Maurice. 5. June 16, 2020, Frostproof, Florida.

Rest in Peach.

Frank.

[Frank Olynyk]

WANDREY, Ralph Henry. 6. June 25, 2020, Hayden, Idaho.

Rest in Peace.

Frank.

[Franek Grabowski]

After so many years, how many US aces are known to be still alive or not confirmed to die? I guess the list is pretty short. They all would have been 95+, would not they?

[Frank Olynyk]

Franek,
There are 20 American aces still alive.

1 USMC from WW2
7 USN from WW2
9 USAAF from WW2
1 USAF from Korea
1 USN from Vietnam
1 USAF from Vietnam

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Franek Grabowski]

Thanks, so sadly very few and within few years most will be gone. By the way, I understand that Robin Olds is not recognised as a VN war ace officially?

[Frank Olynyk]

Franek,

Robin Olds has four official victories in Vietnam. I also show a probable victory for him on June 2, 1967 which I consider nonsense (or as Tex Hill would say, "the south bound output of a north bound bull"). MiG and missile(s) disappeared into a cloud and no other results observed (ie, no one knows if the missile exploded, and if the MiG was even damaged). His backseater on that day is deceased.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Franek Grabowski]

Frank
Last December I have been talking to a researcher of VN war, and he said, that the kill is confirmed by the VN sources. I guess he covered that in his book, but I do not have it, so I cannot provide more details. As I recall, the Mig went in in the exact area with the loss of the pilot.
Franek

[Teresa Maria]

May they rest in peace.