Feb. 10, 1952: Two-war ace Maj. George A. Davis Jr. engaged 12 MiG-15s

Maj. George Andrew Davis Jr. was a P-47 fighter ace in the Pacific theater in World War II, with seven air-to-air victories. In October 1951, he went to Korea as commander of the 334th Fighter Squadron. Within a few months, he became the leading ace of the Korean War. On Feb. 10, 1952, Davis and his wingman encountered 12 MiG-15s approaching friendly fighter-bombers on an interdiction mission. Davis sped into combat and quickly destroyed two MiGs. While pursuing a third MiG, his aircraft sustained a direct hit and crashed. At his death, he had 14 victories in Korea, making him the fourth leading ace in the Korean War. He was posthumously promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1953, and awarded the Medal of Honor in 1954 for the Feb. 10, 1952 action.

This week in history - Feb. 10, 1952: Two-war ace Maj. George A. Davis Jr. engaged 12 MiG-15s

Published Feb. 13, 2013
By AFNWC Historian

KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. -- Feb. 10, 1952: Two-war ace Maj. George A. Davis Jr. engaged 12 MiG-15s.

Maj. George Andrew Davis Jr. was a P-47 fighter ace in the Pacific theater in World War II, with seven air-to-air victories.

In October 1951, he went to Korea as commander of the 334th Fighter Squadron. Within a few months, he became the leading ace of the Korean War.

On Feb. 10, 1952, Davis and his wingman encountered 12 MiG-15s approaching friendly fighter-bombers on an interdiction mission. Davis sped into combat and quickly destroyed two MiGs. While pursuing a third MiG, his aircraft sustained a direct hit and crashed.

At his death, he had 14 victories in Korea, making him the fourth leading ace in the Korean War.

Davis was posthumously promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1953, and awarded the Medal of Honor in 1954 for the Feb. 10, 1952 action.