Walker Melville Mahurin | |
|---|---|
 Colonel Walker Mahurin in July 1953 | |
| Nickname(s) | "Bud" |
| Born | December 5, 1918 Benton Harbor, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | May 11, 2010 (aged 91) Newport Beach, California, U.S. |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1941–1956 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Unit | 56th Fighter Group 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing |
| Commands | 3rd Air Commando Group 1st Fighter Group 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group 27th Air Division |
| Battles / wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross (8) Purple Heart Air Medal (7) |
Colonel Walker Melville "Bud" Mahurin (December 5, 1918 – May 11, 2010) was a United States Air Force officer and aviator.[1] During World War II, while serving in the United States Army Air Forces, he was a flying ace.
Mahurin was the first American pilot to become a double ace in the European Theater.[1] He was the only United States Air Force pilot to shoot down enemy planes in both the European and Pacific Theaters and the Korean War.[2] During World War II he was credited with 20.75 aerial victories, making him the sixth-highest American P-47 ace. He was credited with shooting down 3.5 MiG-15s in Korea, giving him a total of 24.25 aircraft destroyed in aerial combat.[1]
- ^ a b c Shapiro, T. Rees (May 14, 2010). "Walker M. "Bud" Mahurin, a top flying ace, dies at 91". The Washington Post.
- ^ Childs, David (2010-06-10). "Colonel Bud Mahurin: Pilot who shot down enemies over both Europe and the Pacific in the Second World War and was a POW in Korea". The Independent. Retrieved 2010-06-12.