Donald McPherson, a celebrated Navy flying ace from World War II and the last known American pilot with that distinction still living, died on August 14 at his home in Adams, Nebraska.
According to Military.com, McPherson, a recipient of numerous wartime honors, was credited with five aerial victories in the Pacific theater and later dedicated decades to leadership and service within his rural Nebraska community.
Born in 1922, McPherson joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 at the age of 18, as the war escalated in both Europe and the Pacific. After 18 months of training, he earned his wings in 1944. That same year, having waited until cadet restrictions on marriage were lifted, he wed his longtime partner, Thelma, immediately after completing the program.
As a Navy fighter pilot, McPherson was assigned to the USS Essex. Aboard the aircraft carrier, he piloted F6F Hellcat fighters and flew with Fighter Squadron 83 during some of the final and most pivotal months of World War II in the Pacific. He achieved ace status by downing five enemy aircraft, a standard military benchmark to earn that recognition.
The designation solidified McPherson’s place in military history as one of a small number of pilots who achieved such a feat. His heroics were eventually honored with three Distinguished Flying Crosses, along with the Congressional Gold Medal — one of the highest civilian awards in the United States.
A Hero's Bravery Remembered in Detail
In a video produced by the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Minnesota, McPherson recounted a tense aerial engagement in which he downed two enemy aircraft. He described diving steeply, using maximum throttle, and performing a precise wingover maneuver to position himself behind another adversary before firing. Afterward, he completed evasive maneuvers to escape gunfire and later discovered a bullet hole just behind his seat.
His daughter, Donna Mulder, shared one of her father's thoughts from that dangerous encounter. Recalling his words, she emphasized the moment's gravity by saying he had wondered, “Maybe God is not done with me.” Such moments became spiritual anchors in a lifetime profoundly influenced by both faith and service.
Though McPherson lived quietly in the decades following the war, the recognition of his military contributions grew sharply in his later years. According to his daughter Beth Delabar, awards and medal ceremonies became more common only in recent times. She noted that many of the accolades and public remembrances "haven’t been till these later years in his life."
Life After War Centered Around Community
Returning to civilian life, McPherson settled in Adams, a small town in southeastern Nebraska, and resumed work on his family’s farm. Over the following decades, McPherson committed heavily to civic engagement, including helping to establish youth baseball and softball programs in the town.
He remained active in several organizations, holding leadership positions with Adams United Methodist Church, the American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. His involvement went beyond just membership—he was a community pillar whose guidance shaped the experiences of young people and veterans alike for generations. To honor their shared commitment, the local ballfield was later named McPherson Field after both Donald and Thelma. Thelma was known in town for running the concession stand and keeping game scores, making the dedication a reflection of their mutual commitment to youth and sports in Adams.
Nationwide Recognition in Twilight Years
As of 2025, historical organizations acknowledged McPherson as the last surviving American World War II ace pilot. Both the American Fighter Aces Association and the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum listed him as such, making his role in national memory particularly poignant in his final years. Just days before his passing, McPherson was honored at the “Victory at Sea” event hosted by the Fagen museum in Minnesota. There, attendees viewed a video interview capturing his wartime service and reflections on faith, family, and courage under fire.
In remembering her father with the Beatrice Daily Sun, Beth Delabar reflected on how he would like to be remembered: “When it’s all done and Dad lists the things he wants to be remembered for ... his first first thing would be that he’s a man of faith.”
A Final Salute to a Faithful Patriot
Donald McPherson’s life bridged eras—from a young aviator in a global conflict to a respected elder statesman in his tight-knit town. His commitment extended beyond military duty to decades of selflessness in civilian life, shaping the lives of countless families in Adams and preserving the values his generation cherished.
Even as honors and public tributes flowed in during his later years, McPherson remained grounded in service and humility. Whether behind the throttle of a Hellcat or chatting with neighbors by the ballfield, he remained a man guided by purpose and belief. His legacy, marked by bravery in battle and decades of steadfast devotion to others, ensures his contributions will be remembered far beyond the town that called him home.
