America's last surviving World War II ace pilot, who wanted to be known for dedication to faith, died at age 103

A US ace pilot, Donald McPherson, the last surviving ace pilot, bid goodbye to the world on August 14, 2025, in Adams, Nebraska, at the age of 103, according to All That's Interesting. During World War II, he served in the US Army and earned the special designation of being an ace pilot. During the war, if any pilot managed to shoot five or more enemy planes, they were called 'ace pilots.' He was one of only around 1000 who received this honor. Despite this honor, close ones claimed that McPherson wanted to be remembered for his faith and then for his bravado on the battlefield. 

What did Donald McPherson do?

McPherson enlisted in the United States Navy in February 1943, according to Defence Industry Europe. After 18 months of training, he was given his pilot's wings on August 12, 1944. In February 1945, he was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Essex as part of the fighter squadron VF-83. This squadron was flying Grumman F6F-5 Hellcats during the war. McPherson was sent on his first combat mission on March 19, 1945, where he was instructed to land a 300-mile strike on the Nittigahara airfield, amidst the Battle of Okinawa. Next month, he garnered his first two aerial victories, which came while aiding ground operations, during which he located two Japanese fighter planes over the ocean. The first one he brought down by diving and shooting down, the second also met the same fate after some chasing. 

Receiving Ace Status

Ace status arrived quickly in his career, on May 5, 1945, to be exact. On that day, he came face to face with three Kawanishi E7K biplanes, which were facilitating a kamikaze attack against the US forces. McPherson was flying his Hellcat and quickly shot down all three. Apart from being deemed an ace pilot, McPherson also received other honors like three Distinguished Flying Crosses and a Congressional Gold Medal. He eventually retired as a pilot and worked his whole life as a postman and a rural scout. In 2024, he got the opportunity to fly inside a restored Hellcat as part of a commemorative flight. The stalwart passed away in Adams, Nebraska, and has been laid to rest in Highland Cemetery.

McPherson's Wish

Despite having a glorious military career, McPherson's loved ones believe that he always wanted to be remembered for the dedication he showed towards his faith, community, and family, according to ABC News. "When it's all done and Dad lists the things he wants to be remembered for … his first first thing would be that he's a man of faith," his daughter Beth Delabar shared. "It hasn't been till these later years in his life that he's had so many honors and medals," she added. He was fully committed to the family he had built with his wife, Thelma, and after retiring as a pilot, served his community in a variety of ways. He started baseball and softball leagues for the kids and became a Scoutmaster for organizations like Adams United Methodist Church. The community has already honored him and his wife by naming their ballfield McPherson Field.