Lt. Oscar F. Perdomo: Last Ace in a Day WW2

Shot down 5 Japanese aircraft in a P-47N

When Perdomo and his squadron encountered 50 Japanese aircraft over Japan in the final days of the war, he shot down 4 Ki-84 fighters and one bi-plane trainer in a single combat engagement in his Republic P-47N Thunderbolt. This airplane was the precursor to the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Not long after this the war ended and he retired, only to be called up to fight in the Korean War. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and two Air Medals. As an added note, his son was killed in the Vietnam War in a UH-1 Iroquois helicopter crash which led to Perdomo becoming depressed and addicted to alcohol which eventually claimed his life in 1976 at age 56. He still remains one of the United States’ top Hispanic aces of WW2.

Although his life was cut short by tragedy, his example of heroism and bravery can still inspire a grateful Nation. Valor is in you. Set it free.