Top Photo: Oscar Perdomo on the wing of his P-47. Note the nose art and the kill markings under his cockpit. The five Japanese flags represent his tally from his August 13 mission over Korea. San Diego Air and Space Museum

Achieving the accolade of “ace” pilot requires an individual to shoot down at least five enemy aircraft in combat. While this feat requires a number of finely honed skills and exceptional aeronautical ability, it is even harder to achieve this status in only one day. The few men who have done so include pilots like Brigadier General Chuck Yeager and Major George Preddy of the US Army Air Forces; Marine Corps Colonels Jefferson DeBlanc and “Pappy” Boyington; and the Navy’s Captain Swede Vejtasa. While some pilots in the jet age claim to have accomplished the same feat, these achievements remained unconfirmed and speculative. However, the very last confirmed “ace in a day” was Air Force Major Oscar Perdomo.

Born to Mexican immigrants in El Paso, Texas, on June 14, 1919, Perdomo was one of six children. His father served during the 1911 Mexican Revolution, reportedly under the command of General “Pancho” Villa. The family eventually moved to Los Angeles, where Perdomo attended James A. Garfield High School and was part of the track team. Graduating in 1939, he worked for Pacific Milk Crate Company and subsequently registered for the draft. He enlisted in the US Army in August 1942 and initially was placed into the Reserves. Eventually, he entered the Aviation Cadet program, attending Primary Flight Training at Thunderbird Field near Scottsdale, Arizona.

Captain Oscar Perdomo, US Air Force. San Diego Air and Space Museum

At Primary Flight Training, Oscar flew the PT-17 Stearman biplane, which was difficult for many fledgling aviators to master; many cadets washed out. In August 1943, he graduated to Primary Flight Training in Minter Field, California, flying the Vultee BT-13 Valiant. After again successfully mastering his assigned aircraft, Perdomo was sent to Advance Flight Training, piloting the North American AT-6 Texan at Williams Field, Arizona. After 70 hours of additional flight instruction, he successfully won his “wings” and was appointed a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Air Forces on January 7, 1944. His skills as an aviator were recognized by his assignment to single-engine fighters. Training to be a fighter pilot required expert flying ability combined with aerial marksmanship—a very tall order. Perdomo was assigned to fly the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, a huge, round fighter that was fast, maneuverable, and capable of carrying a large array of weapons. Following training at Harding Field near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he transferred to his first combat command at Dalhart Air Field in Texas as part of the 464th Fighter Squadron, 507th Fighter Group.

Oscar Perdomo as an Aviation Cadet climbing into the cockpit of a PT-17 Stearman training while attending Primary Flight School. San Diego Air and Space Museum

The unit eventually deployed overseas to the small island of Ie Shima just off the west coast of Okinawa. The 507th flew the P-47N version of the Thunderbolt that had an increased fuel capacity and a “wet wing” with squared off wing tips, making it capable of long-range missions. Arriving in June 1945, Perdomo had his P-47 adorned with nose art and christened the plane “Lil Meaties Meat Chopper” with an accompanying picture of a baby wearing a derby hat and carrying a gun. The baby’s likeness was in homage to his infant son, Kenneth. The 507th initial mission was to escort B-29 Superfortresses in their bombing campaign over the home islands of Japan. However, when the B-29s no longer required escorts, Oscar’s unit conducted long-range sweeps for Japanese aircraft.

The island of Ie Shima off the northwest coast of the island of Okinawa. The 507th Fighter Group operated from the airfield in summer 1945. San Diego Air and Space Museum

On August 13, just days after the droppings of the atomic bombs, Perdomo’s unit flew from Ie Shima to Keijo (modern-day Seoul), Korea, in his 10th combat mission. Arriving over the target area the 507th’s aircraft encountered some 50 Japanese Nakajima Ki-43 Oscar and Ki-84 Frank fighters. The Ki-43 was a lightweight fighter that was extremely maneuverable when compared to the heavy and powerfully built P-47s. Conversely, the Ki-84 was considered the most capable Japanese fighter of the time and on par with American designs. As an element lead in the flight, Perdomo encountered five enemy aircraft. Pursuing three of the Japanese fighters, he targeted the first, hitting it in the engine and cockpit area and sending it down in flames. He quickly targeted a second plane, sending it too down in flames. Turning his attention to the enemy flight lead, Perdomo made a tight turn while firing. Flying at a low altitude, the enemy aircraft tried to maintain a steep turn but stalled and crashed into the ground. Now near the surface, Perdomo began climbing to locate his squadron mates. However, during his ascent he sighted two Japanese Yokosuka K5Y1 Willow biplane trainers flying at only 800 feet. Determining they had been sighted, the two Willows split formation, with Perdomo focusing on the closer ship. He fired at the biplane until it finally spiraled in. Climbing again, he ran into four more Ki-43s and headed for the clouds hide his presence. Successful in avoiding enemy notice, Perdomo positioned himself to their rear and then dove on the foursome causing one to explode mid-air. This made his tally for the day five, making him an ace.

Oscar Perdomo on the wing of his P-47. Note the nose art and the kill markings under his cockpit. The five Japanese flags represent his tally from his August 13 mission over Korea. (San Diego Air and Space Museum) 

However, Perdomo’s actions that day were not over. Returning to rendezvous with his squadron, he came across another Ki-43 engaged with two P-47s and joined the fray until he expended his ammunition. When the enemy plane finally took aim at him, Perdomo called a squadron mate for help who quickly dispatched the Ki-43. After this extensive aerial combat, the men flew 1,500 miles back to base. The entire mission lasted over eight hours with the group claiming 20 enemy aircraft. Perdomo’s claims were validated by his gun camera film, which revealed the four fighters were the more capable Ki-84s, not Ki-43s as he initially thought. However, the supporting documentation still list his victories as “Ki-43s.”

Pilots who scored victories over Korea on August 13, 1945. Oscar Perdomo is in the back row on the left. San Diego Air and Space Museum

For his actions that day, Perdomo received the second-highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross, for extraordinary heroism in action along with an Air Medal with an oak leaf cluster. The 507th was also recognized for the actions that day with the awarding of the Presidential Unit Citation. With the Japanese finally surrendering, they sent their first representatives to coordinate the capitulation to the airfield at Ie Shima. Perdomo was present when the first Mitsubishi G4M Betty bombers clad in all white with green cross insignia landed on the airstrip, witnessing the beginning of the end of the war.

After the Japanese surrender, Perdomo and his squadron mates had no further opportunities to increase their tallies or fly combat. In January 1946, the unit moved to Yonton Airfield on Okinawa and deactivated shortly afterward. Heading home, Perdomo had acquired 10 combat sorties, 56.6 flight hours, and five victories. He transitioned to jet aircraft in 1947, qualifying in the new Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star jet fighter. He remained in the US Air Force until January 10, 1950.

A Mitsubishi G4M Betty bomber landing at Ie Shima. Painted white and carrying green crosses as their insignia, these planes carried the first Japanese representatives to coordinate their nation’s surrender. Oscar Perdomo unit was present when these freshly painted aircraft arrived. (San Diego Air and Space Museum)

With the onset of the Korean War, Perdomo was recalled to active duty in 1952. For the next six years he flew both the North American F-86 Saber and Republic F-84 Thunderjet. As a further testament to his flying abilities, in February 1955 while instructing a student in a two-seat T-33 trainer, Perdomo’s aircraft developed a severe fuel leak. Keeping his calm, and with gas fumes affecting his vision, he conducted a successful dead stick landing, saving both his student and the jet. He left active duty a few years later in 1958.

Oscar Perdomo in the cockpit of an F-84 Thunderjet after his recall to active duty during the Korean War. Not the nose art on the jet partly matches that of his P-47 from the war. San Diego Air and Space Museum

He remained in the reserves attaining the rank of Major until moved to the inactive reserve in 1970. That same year, one of his sons, Kris Mitchell, was killed in action serving as a door gunner in the Republic of Vietnam. The loss of his son was devastating; Perdomo’s health began deteriorating as he turned to alcohol to deal with his grief. He passed away on March 2, 1976, in Los Angeles, and his ashes were spread across the Pacific Ocean. Perdomo’s passing marked the end of an era, as he was the last aviator to achieve the rare status of “ace in a day.”