WWII Ace Shot Down Five Japanese Aircraft

Aero-News was saddened to learn retired Marine Col. Jefferson DeBlanc Sr. -- who won the Medal of Honor during World War II as an ace fighter pilot -- has gone west at the age of 86.

DeBlanc earned the Medal of Honor, the US military’s highest honor for bravery, for actions during an air raid against the Japanese in the Solomon Islands on January 31, 1943, according to the Associated Press.

The young lieutenant in his early twenties was the leader of six planes that provided air cover. 

Flying an F4F Grumman Wildcat, he downed two Japanese float planes and one fighter before returning for the naval base at Henderson Field. He then spotted two Japanese planes climbing up behind the bombers.

His entire group was low on fuel, so Henderson ordered the rest of his flight squadron to return. He personally took on and shot down the two enemy aircraft, knowing he would likely not have enough fuel to return safely.

The F4F was shot up and DeBlanc parachuted into the ocean, where he swam all night to reach Kolombarangara Island. Henderson was then captured by local natives... and traded to another tribe for rice. He was later picked up by a Navy float plane and returned to his squadron.

DeBlanc was decorated several times for his war actions in several engagements.

He said after he had shot down the five planes, he checked his watch... which flew off his hand a split-second later when his instrument panel was peppered with bullets and burst in his face.

Once down, he then used a Japanese uniform stolen from a barge and traveled incognito at night to get closer to American forces where he could be rescued.

DeBlanc went on to see action in several other campaigns in the war.

After the war he returned to St. Martinville, LA where he was a school teacher and became an administrator. He later retired from the Marine Corps Reserve in 1972.

DeBlanc died last Thursday, from complications from pneumonia, according to the Houma (LA) Courier.

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