PATRICK D. FLEMING, COL, USAF
Patrick Fleming '41
Lucky Bag
From the 1941 Lucky Bag:
PATRICK DAWSON FLEMING
Montgomery, Alabama
Pat or Pete, to those who knew him when, was born in New York, but for various reasons best known to himself, he has always called Montgomery, Alabama his "God's Country." One might easily say, however, that Pat is From nowhere and everywhere, for he had an Army background and then turned right around and entered the Naval Academy through the fleet. The reason for such unprecedented conduct was that ever since his dreamy Lanier high school days, Pat had fondly cherished the ambition of earning and wearing the coveted wings of a naval aviator.
His colorful personality is well illustrated by his favorite pastimes of sun bathing, building "the body beautiful," driving fast automobiles fast, and doing his best to drive his roommate crazy with his buzzer-blinker set. His natural independence, cheerfulness, and profound and sincere sympathy for the underdog have won him a lasting place in the hearts of all of us--Here's to wings and happy landings!
Football 4,3
The Class of 1941 was the first of the wartime-accelerated classes, graduating in February 1941.
PATRICK DAWSON FLEMING
Montgomery, Alabama
Pat or Pete, to those who knew him when, was born in New York, but for various reasons best known to himself, he has always called Montgomery, Alabama his "God's Country." One might easily say, however, that Pat is From nowhere and everywhere, for he had an Army background and then turned right around and entered the Naval Academy through the fleet. The reason for such unprecedented conduct was that ever since his dreamy Lanier high school days, Pat had fondly cherished the ambition of earning and wearing the coveted wings of a naval aviator.
His colorful personality is well illustrated by his favorite pastimes of sun bathing, building "the body beautiful," driving fast automobiles fast, and doing his best to drive his roommate crazy with his buzzer-blinker set. His natural independence, cheerfulness, and profound and sincere sympathy for the underdog have won him a lasting place in the hearts of all of us--Here's to wings and happy landings!
Football 4,3
The Class of 1941 was the first of the wartime-accelerated classes, graduating in February 1941.
Loss
Patrick was killed in a crash on February 16, 1956 while serving as a supervisor on a routine training flight of a B-52 bomber. Around seven hours after taking off from Castle Air Force Base, a turbine wheel of the right forward alternator broke apart and started a fire. Three others aboard were killed; four survived.
Photographs
From the Lucky Bag's "Stripers" page
From "The High Intensity Life of Patrick Fleming" by Walter J. Boyne, AIR FORCE Magazine / March 2011
From "The High Intensity Life of Patrick Fleming" by Walter J. Boyne, AIR FORCE Magazine / March 2011
Air Force Magazine Article
The March 2011 issue of AIR FORCE Magazine has a multi-page article "The High Intensity Life of Patrick Fleming" by Walter J. Boyne.
Early Life
From Wikipedia:
Fleming was born on Jan. 17, 1918. He first attended school at Fort Stotsenburg, about 45 miles from Manila in the Philippines, and later went to Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama. Already in love with flying, he worked nights in a filling station to earn money for flying lessons. In 1935 he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving first aboard USS Hull (DD-350), then transferring to the carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3).
Fleming had an engaging personality and obtained the support of then Capt. William Halsey Jr., later a five-star fleet admiral, to go to United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. After attending the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Norfolk, Virginia, he entered the academy on July 8, 1937. With war a real prospect, the need for naval officers accelerated the academy program, and he graduated on Feb. 7, 1941.
Wartime Service
Fleming was still aboard USS Cincinnati when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. At the time, the ship was patrolling in the vicinity of the British West Indies as part of Task Group 3.8, ensuring French warships remained at port and searching for German blockade runners. After his tour of service with the light cruiser was completed in November 1942, Fleming went on to NAS Pensacola to earn his wings of gold. He was officially designated a Naval Aviator in March 1943. Later in the year he enrolled in night fighter training at NAS Quonset Point, R.I., where he meet his soon-to-be wife Neville. Fleming completed training in November and moved to NAS Atlantic City to serve as a flight instructor while he awaited assignment to an active squadron. His waiting was short lived: on 1 February 1944 VF-80 was commissioned under the command of Lieutenant Commander Albert O. Vorse Jr. Patrick Fleming joined the rest of the squadron for training and carrier assignment. They finally departed for the war zone aboard USS Ticonderoga on 28 August 1944, with Fleming listed as Flight Officer.
VF 80
November 1944
"Vorse's Vipers" entered combat in the Pacific in early November 1944. Following closely on the heels of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Vipers flew missions over Luzon between 5—6 November as part of Task Group 38.3, aiding in the retaking of the Philippines. Patrick Fleming became one of the first men in his squadron to record a kill when on the first day of strikes he shot down a Mitsubishi A6M Zero after strafing/rocket attacks on shipping in Manila Bay. The lone Zero began with an altitude advantage, but upon seeing the division of American fighters dove towards the water to attempt escape. Greater weight and a more powerful engine put Fleming's Hellcat on his enemy's tail in short order, and with two bursts from the plane's six guns he sent the Zero crashing down in flames. From this point on when Fleming scored during a sortie, he would ensure enemy pilots didn't go down alone.
"Tico" returned to the Leyte and the Luzon area two more times in November to continue attacks on shipping at e.g. Ormoc Bay and Santa Cruz Harbor, and to destroy air installations at sites like Clark Field. Fleming's next aerial victories came on 25 November 1944 during the second strike of the day. Dive and torpedo bombers—along with their fighter escort—were vectored out to finish off a Mogami-class cruiser heavily damaged by the first strike. While the rest of the fighters worked over and successfully sank the crippled cruiser off Luzon's western coast, Fleming and his wingman Ens. Beaudry were busy serving as communications relay on the opposite side of the island. The two-man section noticed a group of 5 Yokosuka P1Y "Frances" bombers heading south towards the task group. They moved immediately to intercept, making overhead runs on the slower, comparatively ungainly twin-engine bombers. They knocked out 3 of the 5 with their first pass—two for Fleming and one for his wingman. There wasn't to be a second pass: the remaining Frances turned tail and ran.
December 1944
On 14 December 1944, Patrick Fleming became an ace pilot. He led one of two VF-80 divisions flying together with VF outfits from USS Essex, Langley and San Jacinto on an afternoon fighter sweep over enemy airfields on Northern Luzon. Turning up nothing of interest at the first target area, the fighters re-routed southward to investigate reports of an enemy destroyer sighted earlier in the day. Cruising en route to those coordinates at 9,000′, they spotted a gaggle of twenty or so Japanese fighters (Zeros and Nakajima Ki-43 "Oscars") flying at lower altitude in loose formation, also heading on a southerly course. The American pilots jettisoned rockets and bombs before approach and a savage first pass was made on the unsuspecting bandits. Either the Japanese were taken completely by surprise or they misidentified the incoming Hellcats as friendlies. Whatever the case, about half of the Japanese fighters were destroyed or damaged in that first pass, negating their numerical superiority. Fleming claimed two.
When the F6F-5s pulled out of their runs, however, Japanese reinforcements arrived on the scene. VF-80 and company were outnumbered once again and no longer had surprise on their side. A wild dog fight ensued. In the melee many sections were dispersed, but Fleming and his wingman Beaudry managed to stick together. Fleming destroyed two more during the back-and-forth to run his day's score to four. Despite altitude and numerical disadvantages during this scrape, the pilots of VF-80 returned to their carrier without a single bullet hole in their planes, boasting a net of 19 enemy aircraft destroyed and more damaged.
January 1945
The next big day for Fleming came on 3 January 1945. He was chosen to lead three divisions on a morning sweep of airfields on central Luzon. Weather conditions rendered strikes difficult; even grouping up was problematic. By the time the divisions assembled only 10 of 12 fighters managed to get together, and due to cloud cover they chose slightly different targets than were originally assigned. Fleming's ten fighters twice encountered enemy formations. First, before reaching Koryu airfield, they spotted four Zeros flying south just off the western coast of the island. When the Japanese noticed the Americans, they split into two groups of two on separate headings. One pair continued southward while the other turned inland. The Vipers similarly split into two groups of six and four respectively. Fleming and his wingman Beaudry, in the latter group, loosed their ordnance and raced after the Zeros. Once again Fleming got the better of Beaudry, downing one along with Lt.(jg) Woodward. The men in the other group were similarly successful: both enemy fighters destroyed, no losses incurred. Those among the 10 Hellcats who held onto their payloads delivered them on Koryu and Shinchiku, taking on meager anti-aircraft fire in the process but scoring significant hits on installations on the runways themselves. In the wake of this bombing/strafing activity the sweep encountered its second batch of Japanese fighters, this time consisting of Oscars or Zeros, and Nakajima Ki-44 fighters nicknamed "Tojo." The enemies were split 3-2 between thin cloud cover, apparently trying to set a trap for any enemy fighters coming it at lower altitudes. Fleming et al. were positioned just right to see both groups, however, and the balance of Hellcats came in hard on the heels of the high cover fliers. All three Japanese fighters broke ranks and flew singularly, either to flee or to turn into the American charge. It was over quickly though, and results were similar to those experienced earlier in the day. It was Beaudry's turn to flame his quarry this time; two other pilots had the same luck with their targets. Seeing the high-fliers taken well in hand, Fleming zoomed down through the clouds on the lure planes. He flamed the Tojo on his first past and then shot the Oscar/Zeke off Ensign Parrish's tail, racking up a total of three for the day's efforts.
At the close of 1944, the US Navy decided it needed to significantly alter carrier air group composition to include many more fighter aircraft. The new norm of Japanese kamikaze tactics required beefed up combat air patrols for task groups and the implementation of supplemental "Jack Patrols" to spot low-flying bandits. To ease the bureaucratic difficulty of expanding fighter squadrons this way, existing squadrons were split into Fighter (VF) and Fighter-Bomber (VBF) squadrons. When this division was finally achieved aboard Ticonderoga on 10 January, Patrick Fleming became Executive Officer of the newly formed VBF-80.
Towards the end of January Ticonderoga moved to execute strikes against Formosa, prompting the depleted Japanese navy and air forces to respond with Kamikaze tactics. The morning of the attack on 21 January offered unlimited visibility and bright skies, giving Japanese pilots clear lines of sight to their targets. A handful got past the CAP and successfully dodged anti-aircraft fire put up by the task group. Two of these struck the flight deck and island structure of the carrier, setting off bombs in compartments adjacent to the hangar deck where fueled, armed planes lay in wait. Explosions wracked the ship, but the firefighting teams aboard Tico ultimately managed to quench the flames. No longer in fighting condition, Ticonderoga retired to Ulithi and Carrier Group 80 (CVG-80) took up residence aboard the USS Hancock.
February 1945
February was a big month for Patrick Fleming and for the whole of Vorse's Vipers. On the 15th, the Fast Carrier Task Force began launching its first aerial assault against Tokyo. During two consecutive days of this operation—16 February and 17 February 1945—Ticonderoga's fighters shot down more than 65 Japanese aircraft with 25 or more probably destroyed or damaged in aerial combat; Fleming alone scored nine between the two days, running his final tally to 19 confirmed kills and cementing his position as the squadron's high-scorer. The Vipers suffered only three combat losses in these sorties.
Strikes against Chiba Peninsula's airfields occurred on 16 February. Fleming led a noontime sweep through hazy skies with the objective of destroying installations at Mobara airfield, one of the major strips in the vicinity of Tokyo. In the immediate wake of successful fighter bombing runs on Mobara's hangars Fleming spotted a band of Japanese fighters, mostly Zeros, milling about at high altitude north of the target zone. He chased the nearest enemies up to their level just under the clouds, charging his guns for the first pass. Two were quickly flamed from astern; the rest fled. Following some of the running Zekes down almost to ground level at Mobara, Fleming stuck with his quarry even as anti-aircraft fire filled the skies around him. Only after he'd exploded the two planes he was chasing did he pull out of his run and away from enemy fire. One more victory was scored by Fleming before returning to Hancock, running his day's total to five.
In the early morning hours of the 17th Fleming knocked another four out of the air. He was again assigned as leader and again flew with the usual suspects in his division: his wingman Beaudry, as well as a section consisting of Lt. Cormier and Ens. Fraifogle. This sweep was assigned more airfields to disable starting in the vicinity of the Katori Area, with subsequent targets heading south as far as Mobara. Finding no significant opposition at Katori, the ten-man sweep proceeded past Yachimata towards Mobara flying at 12,000′. Before arriving there, however, they spotted 15-20 Japanese aircraft at around 6,000′ including a group of six Nakajima Ki-27 "Nate" fighters. The Nate model was out of date even before Pearl Harbor and stood little chance against the significantly more advanced Hellcat. Lt. Fleming tore into the half dozen aged fighters, picking off four to the rest of his division's two. After the uneven match—VF-80 again reported no bullets taken in the brief scuffle—, the division headed down to the airfields for rocket attacks and strafing before their return to Hancock.
Air Force Service
After post-war leave, Fleming was given command of a fighter squadron, a promotion to Lieutenant Commander, and transferred to the carrier USS Boxer (CV 21). Immediately afterwards he was sent to Naval Air Station Patuxent River for test pilot training. It is at this point Fleming made up his mind to resign from the Navy and transfer to the Army Air Forces. He picked up with the USAAF exactly where he left off with the Navy: he went to test pilot school at Wright Field, working his way up to chief of the Fighter Section of the Flight Test Division.
At the time, jet fighter operational use was still in its infancy. Fleming test flew both the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star and Republic F-84 Thunderjet and in each instance experienced harrowing technical malfunctions. While testing the ability of bombers to tow the short-range jets of the day, Fleming's P-80 became stuck to the towline of the B-29 it was flying with. The tow would not release and even snapped back to obstruct Fleming's view. The towing program was cancelled soon thereafter. Later, participating in the first P-84 flights across the Atlantic Ocean to England, Fleming's cockpit heat control stuck during his ride from Iceland to Scotland. He endured scorching 170 degree heat, arriving at his destination thoroughly dehydrated. He had better luck in "Glamorous Glennis," the Bell X-1 aircraft Chuck Yeager used as the first man to pass the speed of sound. Fleming took the X-1 to Mach 1.2; its fastest recorded speed was to be Mach 1.45.
Fleming's talent propelled him into a group of elite Air Force pilots operating at the edge of American strategic planning and technological advance. At the time this meant participation in Strategic Air Command initiatives. Moving from jet fighters to jet bombers, Fleming served at Kirtland Air Force Base flying North American B-45 Tornados and Boeing B-47 Stratojets. On August 9, 1951 Fleming was part of the flight crew in a B-47 flying from Fairbanks, Alaska to Wichita, Kansas. The record-setting 2,800 mile flight took just 5 hours and 36 minutes to complete. Around this time same Fleming took Life photographer Margaret Bourke-White up in a B-47 for an article on the SAC.
A more dangerous B-47 mission occurred in 1952, when Fleming and other SAC pilots were personally approached by General LeMay to conduct covert "overflight" missions deep into Soviet territory. Project 52 AFR-18 took place on October 15, 1952, Fleming leading the crew in the backup B-47. His route covered Wrangel Island and then held a "racetrack" pattern over the Chukchi Sea. The main crew, led by Donald Hillman, photographed Siberian sites and was spotted by MiG fighters in the middle of the mission, but the Russians were ultimately unable to engage the photo-reconnaissance bombers. The flight was considered a success, winning the approval of newly elected President Harry Truman, who continued the overflight program during his presidency.
Pat Fleming was ultimately promoted to deputy commander of the 93rd Bomb Wing at Castle Air Force Base. They were the first unit to receive the B-52 and Fleming was the first SAC pilot to fly one. He flew as pilot instructor after logging extensive hours in the new aircraft.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Patrick married Neville Bartlett in the fall of 1943. He was survived by his parents Col. Winfield Fleming and wife of Phoenix, Arizona, and a sister in Denver, Colorado.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, February 18, 1956:
[Patrick was a] “quadruple ace of World War II credited with shooting down 21 Japanese aircraft. He was lost on the 12th anniversary of his shooting down five Japanese planes in a single day for which he received the Navy Cross. He was deputy wing commander of the 93rd Bomb Wing. . . .
Col Fleming’s mother, Mrs. Winifred S. Fleming, a research assistant in agricultural biochemistry at the University of Arizona, first learned that her son was “missing” through a radio report heard while on her way to work yesterday.
She immediately called her daughter-in-law in California and then called Davis-Monthan AFB, according to Col. Louis J. Lamm, base commander, a friend of the missing World War II ace.
Lamm said that he and a base chaplain were with Mrs. Fleming at her office at the university when she received official word in a telegram that her son was “missing.” The D-M base commander made arrangements for her to fly to Castle AFB and said Mrs. Fleming left Tucson at 12:30 p.m.
According to Lamm, Col. Fleming was an Annapolis graduate who transferred to the Air Force after World War II. “He was in on the ground floor of the B47 (jet bomber) program and the beginning of the B52 program,” he said.
From The Wichita Eagle, Wichita, Kansas, February 18, 1956
Col. Patrick D. Fleming, who was killed in the B52 crash at Tracy, Calif., Thursday, had many friends at Boeing-Wichita, where he was assigned from 1950 through 1952.
These friends recalled Friday that on Aug. 9, 1951, Colonel Fleming (then a lieutenant colonel) established what was then a record for non-stop flight in a Boeing B47 Stratojet. He piloted the bomber in a flight from Eielson Air Force Base at Fairbanks, Alaska, to Wichita – a distance of about 2,800 miles. The flight was made in five hours and 36 minutes.
He is buried in Rhode Island. Patrick was survived by his wife and three children, Erin, Betty, and Neville. (Information from April 1956 issue of Shipmate.)
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Bombing Fighting Squadron EIGHTY (VBF-80), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in the action against Tokyo air fields on 16 February 1945. He skillfully and courageously led a division of planes on a fighter sweep against enemy airpower. During the action, he personally destroyed five aircraft in the air amid heavy anti-aircraft fire. His skill and courage coupled with his leadership and complete disregard for his personal safety were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander Air Forces Pacific: Serial 25349 (December 9, 1945)
Action Date: February 16, 1945
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Bombing Fighting Squadron 80 (VBF-80)
Division: U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)
Distinguished Service Medal
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) (Posthumously) to Colonel Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, from February 1954 to February 1956. As Deputy Wing Commander, 93d Bombardment Wing (Heavy), Colonel Fleming was directly instrumental in developing more efficient, safer, and easier methods for utilizing equipment in training of personnel in modern jet bombardment operations. His depth of knowledge and profound understanding of aircraft performance and bombardment operations, and his ability to lecture, educate and indoctrinate personnel in methods of improving procedures, significantly contributed to the successful conversion of this wing to jet bombardment aircraft. The untiring efforts and adept resourcefulness and dedicated devotion of Colonel Fleming to the attainment of a high state of combat readiness greatly improved the managerial effectiveness of the command aircraft conversion and training program. His actions may be readily associated with the increased operational capability of the Strategic Air Command. The outstanding contributions to national security rendered by Colonel Fleming have reflected the greatest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
General Orders: Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 60 (1956)
Action Date: February 1954 - February 1956
Service: Air Force
Rank: Colonel
Silver Star
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron EIGHTY (VF-80), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in action on 14 December 1944 in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands. He led a division in an eight-plane formation and despite the numerical odds attacked an enemy formation of twenty-seven planes and during the ensuing engagement he shot down four enemy planes. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 2d Carrier Task Force: Serial 0909 (January 13, 1945)
Action Date: December 14, 1944
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Fighting Squadron 80 (VF-80)
Division: U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296), United States Navy, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Bombing Fighting Squadron 80 (VBF-80), attached to the U.S.S. HANCOCK (CV-19), in action against enemy air installations and air power in the Tokyo area on 17 February 1945. He led a division of planes on a fighter sweep and personally destroyed four enemy aircraft in the air amid heavy anti-aircraft fire. His courage, determination and leadership, in the face of enemy superiority, during the entire action were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander Air Forces Pacific: Serial 25349 (December 9, 1945)
Action Date: February 17, 1945
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Bombing Fighting Squadron 80 (VBF-80)
Division: U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)
Distinguished Flying Cross
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy forces on 25 November 1944 in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands. While leading a two-plane communication relay he encountered an enemy formation of five planes and despite the numerical odds he attacked the enemy formation and shot down two enemy planes. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0685 (December 30, 1944)
Action Date: November 25, 1944
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Fighting Squadron 80 (VF-80)
Division: U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy planes and installations in the Formosa area on 3 January 1945. Encountering a superior number of enemy fighters, he led his division unhesitatingly into an attack, resulting in the destruction of at least five enemy planes of which he shot down three. Despite extremely hazardous weather conditions, and intense anti-aircraft fire over the target area, he was able to bring his division back to its base without loss or damage. His intrepidity, aggressive fighting spirit and leadership were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 2d Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0151 (March 8, 1945)
Action Date: January 3, 1945
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Fighting Squadron 80 (VF-80)
Division: U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight from 9 to 16 January 1945. Lieutenant Fleming completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.
General Orders: Commander Air Forces Pacific: Serial 1333 (March 1, 1947)
Action Date: January 9 - 16, 1945
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Fighting Squadron 80 (VF-80)
Division: U.S.S. Hancock (CV-19)
From Hall of Valor:
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Colonel Patrick Dawson Fleming (NSN: 0-100296), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to two previously awarded Gold Stars in lieu of a Fourth Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Service: Air Force
Rank: Colonel Action Date: Korean War
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