AVG Aces | Flying Tigers AVG

WWII FIGHTER ACES WHO SERVED IN THE AVG FLYING TIGERS

What is an Ace? “U.S. citizens who have served honorably as fighter pilots in a U.S. military service or the service of a nation not at war with the United States (or others who flew as a member of a U.S. military service), who have destroyed five (5) or more enemy aircraft in aerial combat during the several wars and conflicts since the advent of fighter aircraft.” (AFAA Constitution, Article III)

How does this affect the AVG Flying Tiger pilots? Since the AVG was paid $500 by the Chinese government for every Japanese aircraft destroyed in the air and on the ground, the AVG totals for enemy aircraft destroyed will generally be higher than the number officially recognized by the AFAA (aerial only). Note: the AFAA does recognize the records of the AVG during WWII. However, the U.S. Air Force official victory credits does not.

Our List of Aces (27): is shown in two segments—those pilots who achieved Ace status (5 aerial victories) based upon their AVG record (20 pilots), and those who served in the AVG and who achieved Ace status after the disbandment of the AVG on July 4, 1942 based upon their AVG record AND their later record with either the USAAF, USN or USMC (7 pilots):

1. Aces during AVG service (20):
Flt. Ldr. Percy R. Bartelt, 2^nd Sqdn	5
Flt. Ldr. William E. Bartling, 1^st Sqdn	5
Vice-Sqdn. Ldr. Charles R. Bond, Jr., 1^st Sqdn	7
Flt. Ldr. George T. Burgard, 1^st Sqdn	10
Flt. Ldr. Robert P. Hedman, 3^rd Sqdn	6
Sqdn Ldr. David L. Hill, 2^nd Sqdn, 75/23 USAAF	12.75 + 6 USAAF
Flt. Ldr. Kenneth A. Jernstedt, 3^rd Sqdn	5
Flt. Ldr. Frank L. Lawlor, 2^nd Sqdn, VBF-9 USN	7 + 2 USN
Flt. Ldr. Robert L. Little, 1st Sqdn	10
Wing Man, William D. McGarry, 1^st Sqdn	8
Sqdn Ldr. Robert H. Neale, 1^st Sqdn	13
Sqdn Ldr. John V.K. Newkirk, 2^nd Sqdn	7
Flt. Ldr. Charles H. Older, 3^rd Sqdn, 76/23 USAAF	10 + 8 USAAF
Wing Man Edmund F. Overend, 3^rd Sqdn, VMF-321 USMC	5 + 3 USMC
Wing Man Robert W. Prescott, 1^st Sqdn	5.5
Flt. Ldr. Camille J. Rosbert, 1^st Sqdn	6
Wing Man John R. Rossi, 1^st Sqdn	6
Sqdn Ldr. Robert J. Sandell, 1^st Sqdn	5
Flt. Ldr. Robert H. Smith, 1^st Sqdn	5
Flt. Ldr. Robert T. Smith, 3^rd Sqdn	9

2. AVG Pilots achieving Ace status after AVG service (7):
Flt. Ldr. Gregory Boyington, 1^st Sqdn, VMF-214 USMC	2 AVG + 22 USMC
Flt. Ldr. John G. Bright, 2^nd Sqdn, 75/23, 37/14 USAAF	3 AVG + 3 USAAF
Vice-Sqdn Ldr. James H. Howard, 2^nd Sqdn, 356/354	2.33 AVG + 6 USAAF
Flt. Ldr. George B. McMillan, 3^rd Sqdn, 449/51 USAAF	4.5 AVG + 4 USAAF
Vice-Sqdn Ldr. Edward F. Rector, 2^nd Sqdn,76/23USAAF	4.75 AVG + 3 USAAF
Flt. Ldr. William N. Reed, 3^rd Sqdn, 7/3 CACW	3 AVG + 6 USAAF
Flt. Ldr. Fritz E. Wolf, 1^st Sqdn, VBF-3 USN	4 AVG + 1 USN

Compiled by:

Col. Ward Boyce, USAF (Ret.) (AFAA) & Tripp Alyn (AVG Historian)