Cdr Dean "Diz" Laird, USN, ace fighter pilot

[DavidIsby]

from Facebook:

The San Diego Air & Space Museum is remembering Dean “Diz” Laird, whose distinguished aviation career earned him an honored spot the prestigious International Air & Space Hall of Fame. Diz passed away on August 10, 2022, at the age of 101. As the only known U.S. Navy ace to shoot down both German and Japanese planes during World War II, Laird is an American legend and has been dubbed “quintessential fighter pilot.” He entered naval service in January 1942, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and continued in the service for 29 years until his retirement in 1971 as a Commander. During that time, he flew virtually every type of fighter and attack plane in the Navy inventory, logging more than 8,200 hours in 3,662 jets, 4,623 propeller aircraft, and 520 carrier landings. Laird earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his achievements. To celebrate his 90th birthday, he went skydiving out of an airplane. In 2022, at the age of 101, he went on a final flight in a historic Stearman biplane over his hometown of Auburn, California. Laird was inducted into the prestigious International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in 2013.

https://www.wearethemighty.com/artic...s-during-wwii/

[Teresa Maria]

May he rest in peace.

[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)

[DavidIsby]

https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/08/...lH1d99Bh8EjNqE

[DavidIsby]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/fa...FMs548fBRkRogI

[DavidIsby]

https://www.stripes.com/veterans/obi...ytIWhIraKrG-vw