Patrick D. Fleming
Patrick Dawson Fleming | |
|---|---|
Fleming as Deputy Commander of the 93rd Bomb Wing | |
| Nickname(s) | Pat |
| Born | January 17, 1918 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | February 16, 1956 (aged 38) San Joaquin County, California, U.S. |
| Buried | Cedar Cemetery, Jamestown, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1941–1947 (USN) 1947–1956 (USAF) |
| Rank | Colonel (USAF) Commander (USN) |
| Unit | USS Cincinnati (CL-6) Fighting Squadron 80 USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) Bombing Fighter Squadron 80 USS Hancock (CV-19) 306th Bomb Wing 98th Bomb Wing |
| Commands | Fighting Squadron 80 |
| Battles / wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Navy Cross Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (4) Air Medal (6) |
Patrick Dawson Fleming (January 17, 1918 – February 16, 1956) was a high-scoring World War II US Navy fighter ace, and later an accomplished US Air Force test pilot.
Fleming racked up 19 aerial victories in the Pacific Theatre, putting him in a three-way tie with Cornelius Nooy and Alexander Vraciu for fourth-highest-scoring Navy ace. At war's end he resigned his Navy commission and transferred to the Air Force, where he participated in early jet testing—including a flight in the Bell X-1 Chuck Yeager used to break the sound barrier. Fleming was later personally recruited by General Curtis LeMay to take part in Strategic Air Command (SAC) missions. With SAC Fleming participated in a classified "overflight" mission penetrating Soviet territory. Later he was promoted to deputy wing commander, 93rd Bomb Wing, the first operational group to receive the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bomber. Fleming was among those killed in the first B-52 crash on February 16, 1956.