John S. Loisel

John Simon Loisel
Then Maj. John Loisel standing in front of his P-38 Lightning fighter, showing Japanese flags painted on to indicate 11 kills
Major John S. Loisel beside his Lockheed P-38
Born(1920-05-21)May 21, 1920
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
DiedJanuary 20, 2010(2010-01-20) (aged 89)
Plano, Texas
Buried
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army Air Forces
United States Air Force
Years of service1941–1970
RankColonel
Commands83rd Fighter Group
474th Fighter Bomber Group
63rd Fighter Squadron
475th Fighter Group
432nd Fighter Squadron
Battles / wars
AwardsSilver Star
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross (4)
Air Medal (11)
Other workHigh 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.