Bud Mahurin
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Colonel Walker Melville "Bud" Mahurin (December 5, 1918 ā May 11, 2010) was a United States Air Force officer and aviator.[1] During World War II, while serving in the United States Army Air Forces, he was a flying ace.
Quick Facts Walker Melville Mahurin, Nickname(s) ...
Walker Melville Mahurin | |
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Nickname(s) | "Bud" |
Born | (1918-12-05)December 5, 1918 Benton Harbor, Michigan, U.S. |
Died | May 11, 2010(2010-05-11) (aged 91) Newport Beach, California, U.S. |
Buried | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1941ā1956 |
Rank | Colonel |
Unit | 56th Fighter Group 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing |
Commands held | 3rd Air Commando Group 1st Fighter Group 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group 27th Air Division |
Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross (8) Purple Heart Air Medal (7) |
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Mahurin was the first American pilot to become a double ace in the European Theater.[1] He was the only United States Air Force pilot to shoot down enemy planes in both the European and Pacific Theaters and the Korean War.[2] During World War II he was credited with 20.75 aerial victories, making him the sixth-highest American P-47 ace. He was credited with shooting down 3.5 MiG-15s in Korea, giving him a total of 24.25 aircraft destroyed in aerial combat.[1]