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Omaha Steve

(107,016 posts)
Tue Aug 19, 2025, 08:17 AM Aug 19

Last living WWII ace, humble Nebraska hero, Donald McPherson dies at 103

Source: Lincoln Journal Star

ROB SCHLOTTERBECK Beatrice Daily Sun 1 hr ago

Ronald McPherson of Adams served his country as a Navy fighter pilot during World War II.

When he returned home, his mission of service continued.

"He was up to his eyeballs in service in all sorts of ways once he got back," said Dean McPherson, his son. "I mean, mail carrier, VFW, American Legion, Scouting, anything in the church or the community, he was right there in the middle of it."

Donald McPherson, credited by the American Fighter Aces Association and the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum as the last living American ace of the WWII, died Thursday at the age of 103.



Donald McPherson in his Hellcat. “I loved the Hellcat. It was very easy to fly and dependable. It had a 19-to-1 kill ratio,” McPherson said.
Fagen WWII Museum

Read more: http://archive.today/jtFo8



Original PAY link: https://journalstar.com/news/local/business/article_2257e7c7-ade2-5704-a919-438462a2feb3.html
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Last living WWII ace, humble Nebraska hero, Donald McPherson dies at 103 (Original Post) Omaha Steve Aug 19 OP
... littlemissmartypants Aug 19 #1
RIP area51 Aug 19 #2
I'm missing that generation more and more every day. Borogove Aug 19 #3
Yep, in more ways than one. My dad a WWII sailor and Mom a SPAR in Coast Guard. Fla Dem Aug 19 #5
Donald Clouds Passing Aug 19 #4
Thank you for your sacrifices and service. republianmushroom Aug 19 #6
Just imagine, he was 23 at the end of WWII JMCKUSICK Aug 19 #7
That plane was like a flying warthog wolfie001 Aug 19 #8
Holy smokes, 1945 was 80 years ago! Donald McPherson was a flying ace at age 23 FakeNoose Aug 19 #9

Fla Dem

(27,074 posts)
5. Yep, in more ways than one. My dad a WWII sailor and Mom a SPAR in Coast Guard.
Tue Aug 19, 2025, 11:31 AM
Aug 19

They would be sooo disappointed that all the reasons they served for mean nothing to our current administration and his hench men and women.

RIP to all those who served.

wolfie001

(6,124 posts)
8. That plane was like a flying warthog
Tue Aug 19, 2025, 12:57 PM
Aug 19

Durable, swift and deadly in the hands of a well-trained pilot. The Hellcat was quickly designed after we captured an intact Zero fighter in the Aleutians Campaign which was happening during and after the Battle of Midway. Amazing history and what a great hero this fellow was!

FakeNoose

(38,627 posts)
9. Holy smokes, 1945 was 80 years ago! Donald McPherson was a flying ace at age 23
Tue Aug 19, 2025, 01:05 PM
Aug 19

It's hard to believe a person that young was entrusted with such a huge responsibility.
And he survived the war and came back a hero.

R.I.P. Donald McPherson, and thank you for your service!

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