Legendary pilot

Capt. Manuel J. Fernandez Jr. was a legendary pilot who served in the USAF for over 20 years, earning several medals for valor and becoming the 3rd highest ace during the Korean War.

Prior to Korea, he was an advanced instructor at Nellis Air Force Base Gunnery School in Las Vegas, NV. Fernandez wanted to be part of the action in Korea and several times requested a transfer to the war. At the time, the Air Force was reluctant to send its best instructors, preferring they lead the severe training regimen ongoing at Nellis.

His requests were denied. Finally in frustration, Fernandez decided to begin a disobedience program. He began showing up at 5:00 AM – late, drunk, or sometimes AWOL. Ultimately the Air Force was forced into a choice, either court martial him, or send him to Korea. They sent him to Korea where he could use his extreme talents as a fighter pilot.

Fernandez was a crack marksman, one of the best in the Air Force at that time in the art of deflection shooting,

He used stealth and cunning to stalk MiGs rather than attacking impetuously. His modus operandi in combat was to maneuver skillfully and trigger his guns only when he had attained an optimum firing position.

Like all top aces in Korea, Fernandez routinely violated Chinese air space by crossing the Yalu River into northeast China to hunt his elusive MiG quarry. He had a reputation for taking care of his comrades and not being reckless with his wingman's safety in pursuit of air victories.

In Korea, he became the third highest ranking American ace with 14.5 kills. What is particularly interesting about this record is that he achieved it in a very short period of time, approximately nine months. During that time he also received the DSC, Silver star, and 2 DFCs.

He proved to be one of the best combat aviators of his generation. Sadly, he died in a plane crash on October 18, 1980. #korea