Last WWII ace Donald McPherson
08-25-2025 | 02:34 PM
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Last WWII ace Donald McPherson
Last WWII ace dies at 103. That’s a lot of good innings though.
Eight decades ago, in the skies above the Pacific, Ensign McPherson was part of Flying Squadron 83 (VF-83). Over the course of just over a month, he scored five aerial kills, earning him “ace” status. According to the Fagens Fighters World War II Museum and the American Fighter Aces Association, he was the last living American pilot from the war.
Born on May 25, 1922, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 1943, taking advantage of the service waiving its two-year college requirement for people hoping to be aviators. He earned his wings and was commissioned in August 1944, marrying Thelma Johnston only a few days later. He then shipped out to the Pacific theater with VF-83, assigned to the USS Essex. It was the latter months of the war, but fierce fighting continued, and McPherson soon saw combat.
Born on May 25, 1922, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January 1943, taking advantage of the service waiving its two-year college requirement for people hoping to be aviators. He earned his wings and was commissioned in August 1944, marrying Thelma Johnston only a few days later. He then shipped out to the Pacific theater with VF-83, assigned to the USS Essex. It was the latter months of the war, but fierce fighting continued, and McPherson soon saw combat.
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