Van E. Chandler

Van E. Chandler
Van E. Chandler
	Official portrait, 1970s
Birth name	Van Edgar Chandler
Born	March 5, 1925; Kemp, Texas, U.S.
Died	March 11, 1998 (aged 73); Greeley, Colorado, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	Air Force
Years of service	1943–1974
Rank	Colonel
Unit	4th Fighter Group; 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing; 31st Tactical Fighter Wing;
Commands	22nd Tactical Fighter Squadron
Battles / wars	World War II; Korean War; Vietnam War;
Awards	Legion of Merit (2); Distinguished Flying Cross (3); Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal (13);

Van Edgar Chandler (March 5, 1925 – March 11, 1998) was an American military officer and flying ace who was credited in destroying five enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World War II, becoming the youngest flying ace in the United States Armed Forces.^{[N 1]} He flew missions in the Korean War and Vietnam War, before his retirement from the United States Air Force in 1974 with the rank of colonel.

^ Heidicker, Roy (August 7, 2013). "Youngest American WWII ace remembered [UPDATED]". Air Combat Command. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.

Cite error: There are <ref group=N> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=N}} template (see the help page).

[1] Heidicker, Roy (August 7, 2013). "Youngest American WWII ace remembered [UPDATED]". Air Combat Command. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.

[N 1]