American Fighter Aces Association
Historical Note: American Fighter Aces Association
The American Fighter Aces Association (AFAA) was founded in 1960 to recognize the 1450 combat pilots that received a special distinction of becoming an ace by destroying five (5) or more hostile aircraft in air-to-air combat. This includes aces in both World Wars, Korea and Vietnam.
The AFAA lists its objectives and purposes as "to preserve and promote the distinguished heritage of the American combat fighter Ace; to preserve the spirit of loyalty, fellowship and responsibility that motivates Fighter Aces; to support the understanding of and demand for sound, progressive aerospace weapons systems which will guarantee the security and peace of the United States; to encourage and stimulate young men and women to enter the aerospace field; and to sponsor educational programs designed to increase and broaden public knowledge of aerospace technology."
The AFAA sponsors an academic scholarship fund for youths who are primarily descendants of American Fighter Aces and fosters youth programs encouraging patriotism. Additional programs include award programs, such as the annual presentation of the Outstanding Cadet in Airmanship Award at the United States Air Force Academy and for outstanding fighter pilot "lead-in" trainee graduates from the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.
Sources:
http://www.americanfighteraces.org/index.html
Found in 6 Collections and/or Records:
American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews
Collection of approximately one hundred twenty (120) oral histories of Fighter Aces and several non-aces, including relatives of aces, other military pilots, and military historians.
Merle M. Coons Fighter Ace Collection
Colonel Merle Coons (1921-1997) was a United States Air Force fighter pilot, earning ace status during World War II. The collection is a subset of the American Fighter Aces Collection and includes primarily textual materials, such as military orders and records, flight records and a log book, and a scrapbook, as well as a photograph album and a small amount of loose photographs.
John W. Mitchell Fighter Ace Collection
John L. Schell World War II Collection
The John L. Schell World War II Collection contains primarily textual materials related to the World War II military service of United States Navy pilot and fighter ace John L. Schell. Materials include military certificates and citations, pilot's logs, clippings, and additional printed ephemera, including a typed history of the "Fighting 3 (VF-3)." There is also a small amount of photographs, depicting military personnel and activities.
James C. Stewart Fighter Ace Collection
Lt. Col. James C. Stewart (1919-2004) was born in Corona, California. He joined the Army Air Force, graduated from flying school in August 1940, and was assigned to the 56th Fighter Group which was stationed in England during World War II. The collection primarily covers Lt. Col. Stewart's 1943-1966 military service with military records, personal documents, photographs, clippings, assorted ephemera, and films.
Malcolm T. Wordell Fighter Ace Collection
This small collection relates to fighter pilot and ace Malcolm T. Wordell, who served in the United States Navy during World War II. It includes photographs of aircraft in flight and military personnel, including a squadron group portrait.
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