John Simon Loisel | |
|---|---|
 Major John S. Loisel beside his Lockheed P-38 | |
| Born | May 21, 1920 Coeur d'Alene, Idaho |
| Died | January 20, 2010 (aged 89) Plano, Texas |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1941–1970 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands | 83rd Fighter Group 474th Fighter Bomber Group 63rd Fighter Squadron 475th Fighter Group 432nd Fighter Squadron |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (4) Air Medal (11) |
| Other work | High School Physics teacher |
Colonel John Simon Loisel (May 21, 1920 – January 20, 2010) was an American air ace, credited with having shot down 11 Japanese aircraft during World War II. Loisel was born in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and joined the United States Army Air Forces in 1941. By age 25, Loisel had spent more time in combat than any other American pilot in World War II, with over three years in the Pacific. Serving in the Pacific he quickly distinguished himself by first becoming an ace after achieving five kills in just a two-month period, and then becoming a double ace.
He became a career Air Force officer when the United States Army Air Forces was disbanded in 1947 and would serve in the United States Air Force until 1970. Loisel commanded Fighter Groups in both World War II and Korea, along with several peacetime commands. He retired from the Air Force as a colonel. Following his military career, Loisel taught high school physics for 15 years in the Plano Independent School District.