Bud Mahurin
Colonel Walker Melville "Bud" Mahurin (December 5, 1918 – May 11, 2010) was a United States Air Force officer and aviator. During World War II, while serving in the United States Army Air Forces, he was a flying ace.
Walker Melville Mahurin | |
|---|---|
Colonel Walter 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 held | 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) |
Mahurin was the first American pilot to become a double ace in the European Theater. 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. 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.
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