American Fighter Aces Association

The American Fighter Aces Association logo

American Fighter Aces Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which recognizes the 1,485 combat American pilots (referred to as Aces) who have had five or more aerial victories in combat.[1][2]

History

The American Fighter Aces Association was founded in 1960 to honor the 1,450 1,485 American "Ace" pilots.[2] On September 23, 1960, The AFAA held its first reunion in San Francisco, Calif.[1] To be a member honored by the association a pilot needs to have shot down at least five enemy aircraft in combat.[3]

Since July 1984, the organization has maintained its status as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit.[4][5]

Comment: Not relevant. The association reported for the year 2023 total revenue of $36,337 and total expenses of $63,838, with total assets amounting to $1,846,000 and total liabilities to $146,000.[4][5]

Mission

The mission of the organization is to Preserve the records of American combat fighter Aces. Part of the mission is also to educate future generations. The AFAA also awards scholarships each year.[2]

Many of the Association's presidents have usually been aces. The organizations members are dying. In 2014 Lt. Gen. Charles "Chick" Cleveland served as president.[6][7] Clayton Kelly Gross served as president in 2016[8] Rear Admiral Edward Feightner also served the AFAA as president.[9]

In 2023, Dr. Randy "Duke" Cunningham was designated as president, while Colonel J. Ward Boyce Jr. was selected as vice president and Gregg P. Wagner was appointed treasurer.[5][4] Cunningham died on August 27, 2025.[10]

The American Fighter Aces Association logo

American Fighter Aces Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which recognizes the 1,485 combat American pilots (referred to as Aces) who have had five or more aerial victories in combat.[11][12]

History

The American Fighter Aces Association was founded in 1960 to honor the 1,450 American "Ace" pilots.[12] On September 23, 1960, The AFAA held its first reunion in San Francisco, Calif.[11] To be a member honored by the association a pilot needs to have shot down at least five enemy aircraft in combat.[13]

Since July 1984, the organization has maintained its status as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit.[14][15]

The association reported for the year 2023 total revenue of $36,337 and total expenses of $63,838, with total assets amounting to $1,846,000 and total liabilities to $146,000.[14][15]

Mission

The mission of the organization is to Preserve the records of American combat fighter Aces. Part of the mission is also to educate future generations. The AFAA also awards scholarships each year.[12]

Many of the Association's presidents have usually been aces. The organizations members are dying. In 2014 Lt. Gen. Charles "Chick" Cleveland served as president.[16][17] Clayton Kelly Gross served as president in 2016[18] Rear Admiral Edward Feightner also served the AFAA as president.[19]

In 2023, Dr. Randy "Duke" Cunningham was designated as president, while Colonel J. Ward Boyce Jr. was selected as vice president and Gregg P. Wagner was appointed treasurer.[15][14] Cunningham died on August 27, 2025.[20]

Current living members

World War II

There are no living members from World War II following the death of Ens. Donald M. McPherson in 2025.

Korean War

There are no living members from the Korean War following the death of Lt. Gen. Charles G. Cleveland in 2021.

Vietnam War

Name Organisation Aerial victories
Col. Charles B. DeBellevue USAF 6
Brig. Gen. Richard Stephen Ritchie USAF 5
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Feinstein USAF 5
CDR. William P. Driscoll USN 5

American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act

The American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to every American Fighter Ace, on May 23, 2014, by the 113th Congress.[21] President and CEO of the AFAA attended a White House ceremony with President Barack Obama to sign the bill into law.[22]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "American Fighter Aces to Hold 50th Reunion". Museum of Flight. The Museum of Flight. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 "About the American Fighter Aces Association". americanfighteraces.com. The American Fighter Aces Association. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  3. ↑ Walker, Richard (2 June 2015). "A top salute for local ace fighter pilot". Kitsap Daily News. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 Roberts, Andrea Suozzo, Alec Glassford, Ash Ngu, Brandon (2013-05-09). "American Fighter Aces Association - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2026-01-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. 1 2 3 "Charity Navigator - Rating for American Fighter Aces Association". www.charitynavigator.org. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  6. ↑ Raustin (26 May 2015). "American Fighter Aces receive Congressional Gold Medal". Military Trader. Active Interest Media. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  7. ↑ "The Last American Aces". Air and Space magazine. August 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  8. ↑ Vogt, Tom (8 February 2016). "Off Beat: WWII pilot one of the faces of America's fighter aces". The Columbian. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  9. ↑ Crowther, Linnea (7 April 2020). "Edward Feightner (1919–2020), World War II flying ace and Blue Angels pilot". Legacy. Legacy.com. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  10. ↑ "Randy 'Duke' Cunningham, Vietnam War hero convicted of accepting bribes as a congressman, dies at 83". AP News. 2025-08-30. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  11. 1 2 "American Fighter Aces to Hold 50th Reunion". Museum of Flight. The Museum of Flight. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  12. 1 2 3 "About the American Fighter Aces Association". americanfighteraces.com. The American Fighter Aces Association. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  13. ↑ Walker, Richard (2 June 2015). "A top salute for local ace fighter pilot". Kitsap Daily News. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  14. 1 2 3 Roberts, Andrea Suozzo, Alec Glassford, Ash Ngu, Brandon (2013-05-09). "American Fighter Aces Association - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2026-01-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. 1 2 3 "Charity Navigator - Rating for American Fighter Aces Association". www.charitynavigator.org. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  16. ↑ Raustin (26 May 2015). "American Fighter Aces receive Congressional Gold Medal". Military Trader. Active Interest Media. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  17. ↑ "The Last American Aces". Air and Space magazine. August 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  18. ↑ Vogt, Tom (8 February 2016). "Off Beat: WWII pilot one of the faces of America's fighter aces". The Columbian. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  19. ↑ Crowther, Linnea (7 April 2020). "Edward Feightner (1919–2020), World War II flying ace and Blue Angels pilot". Legacy. Legacy.com. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  20. ↑ "Randy 'Duke' Cunningham, Vietnam War hero convicted of accepting bribes as a congressman, dies at 83". AP News. 2025-08-30. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  21. ↑ 113th Congress. "H.R.685 - American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act". Congress.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved 22 July 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ↑ "American Fighter Aces to Hold 50th Reunion". Museum of Flight. The Museum of Flight. Retrieved 22 July 2020.

Further reading

  • Ward, Colonel (2010) [1996]. American Fighter Aces Album. New York: The American Fighter Aces Association. ISBN 9780942548631.
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