Ernest Shipman (pilot)
Maj Ernest Shipman U.S. Army Air Force (April 6, 1923 - ) from Saginaw, Michigan was an American World War II Ace pilot who shot down seven aircraft in the Mediterranean theatre of World War II.[4][2]
Ernest Shipman | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ernest Shipman |
| Nickname(s) | Ernie[1] |
| Born | April 6, 1923 Jackson Heights, Long Island, New York |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ | U.S. Army Air Force |
| Years of service | 1944-1957[2] |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 307th FS 31st FG |
| Awards |
|
| Alma mater | Columbia College, New York |
Career
On May 5, 1944, Shipman shot down his first enemy aircraft: an Italian Air Force Fiat G50 over Ploesti, Romania. On June 13, 1944, he shot down a Me-210 twin engine over Landshut, Austria. He shot down several more planes in June and July 1944, and reached Ace status on July 21, 1944, when he destroyed an Bf-109 over Budapest.[5] [6]Shipman was flying a P-51 when he was shot down on July 30, 1944, Budapest by a P-38 and captured. He became a prisoner of was until the end of World War II.[7][1]
After the war he earned a Bachelor's degree (1948) and Master's degree from Columbia College, New York (1950). Shipman stayed in service with the New York Air National Guard until he retired as a Major in 1957.[1]
Awards
- Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 oak leaf clusters
- Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters (2 silver, 1 bronze)
- American Campaign Medal[4]
- American Defense Medal[4]
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal[4]
- Congressional Gold Medal (2015)[3]
- Distinguished Flying Cross[2]
- National Defense Service Medal[4]
- Prisoner of War Medal[2]
- Silver Star[4][N 1]
- World War II Victory Medal[4]
- Air Force Commendation Medal[4]
- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 bronze stars[4]
References
- Hammel, eric (1998). Aces In Combat: The American Aces Speak: Volume V. Pacifica, california: Eric Hammel. p. 187. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- "Ernest Shipman". Military times. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- 113th Congress. "H.R.685 - American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act". Congress.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
- "Ernest Shipman". American Air Museum in Britain. IWM Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- Hammel, Eric (1998). Aces In Combat: The American Aces Speak: Volume V. Pacifica, California: Pacifica Military History. p. 181. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
- Hammel, Eric (1994). Air War Europa Chronology. Pacifica, California: Eric Hammel. p. 532. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- Jablonski, Edward (1979). Airwar Volumes 1-4. Michigan: Doubleday. p. 87. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- "Ernest Shipman". The Wall of Valor Project. The Wall of Valor Project. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
Further reading
- Hammel, Eric (2010) [1992]. Aces Against Japan. New York: Pocket Books. ISBN 9781890988081.
- Hammel, Eric (1998). Aces in Combat: The American Aces Speak. Vol. 5. Pacifica, California: Pacifica Military History. ISBN 0935553614.
Notes
- His Silver Star citation cites his bravery as a fighter pilot of the 307th Squadron. His in air combat without regard for his own life.[8]