From Fox News: Donald McPherson, a World War II veteran considered the nation’s last surviving “ace” pilot from the conflict, has died at the age of 103 in Nebraska.
While serving as a Navy fighter pilot of F6F Hellcat fighters aboard the USS Essex in the Pacific theater, McPherson shot down five Japanese planes — the minimum number required to be considered an “ace” pilot, The Associated Press reported.
Both the American Fighter Aces Association and the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum have recognized McPherson as the last surviving American ace pilot from the war, according to AP.
His service during World War II earned him the Congressional Gold Medal — awarded to those who have made a significant impact on U.S. history and culture — as well as three Distinguished Flying Crosses, according to AP.
“When it’s all done and Dad lists the things he wants to be remembered for … his first thing would be that he’s a man of faith,” McPherson’s daughter Beth Delabar told news outlet Beatrice Daily Sun, which first reported his death on Aug. 14.
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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.
After the war ended, McPherson returned to Nebraska and worked as a mail carrier. His family says he never talked about his experiences in the war. Instead, he worked with veterans organizations, local groups in his community, coached youth sports, and enjoyed woodworking and fishing.
McPherson is survived by a son, two daughters and “many grandchildren and great grandchildren,” according to his obituary, which describes him as “a compassionate and humble soul.” His wife and one son preceded him in death.
At his funeral in his hometown of Adams, Nebraska on Tuesday, the entire K-12 school lined the street in front of the school to pay their respects as the procession drove past.
In September of last year, McPherson, then 102, got to fly in a WWII-era plane, similar to the one he had flown while he was in the Navy. WATCH BELOW:
Below is a special documentary about McPherson, titled, “Last of the Aces, Skies over Okinawa.” The interview appears to have been filmed a few years ago.
Donald McPherson, a Navy fighter pilot and the nation’s last surviving World War II “ace,” has died at 103. Flying F6F Hellcats from the USS Essex, McPherson shot down five Japanese planes to earn his “ace” designation. pic.twitter.com/npVmBfMNkb
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 24, 2025
“He was up to his eyeballs in service in all sorts of ways …,” said Donald McPherson’s son. “… Anything in the church or the community, he was right there https://t.co/2fClzoU9eJ
— Beatrice Daily Sun (@BeaDailySunNews) August 18, 2025
Donald McPherson, credited by the American Fighter Aces Association and the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum as the last living American ace of the WWII, died Thursday at 103. https://t.co/NTovZbiIl6
— Lincoln Journal Star (@JournalStarNews) August 19, 2025
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