Nov. 12 Panel Features World War II Fighter Pilots

American Fighter Aces Association Symposium looks at

air combat in Europe and the Pacific

SEATTLE, Nov. 1, 2011--Three World War II fighter pilots will recall their air combat experiences during an American Fighter Aces Association Symposium at the Museum on Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. USAF Capt. Clayton "Kelly" Gross is a Silver Star recipient and an ace with six aerial combat victories - including one of the first victories with a conventional fighter aircraft against a German ME 262 jet fighter; Navy Capt. Joseph McGraw is an ace with five victories while fighting in the Pacific theater, he later flew 80 missions during the Korean War; and USAF 2nd Lt. Bob Drew was a fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater, who later flew for the California Air National Guard and he was a test pilot for Douglas Aircraft in the 1950s and 1960s. The program is free with admission to the Museum.  

The Museum of Flight is the home of the American Fighter Aces Association, founded to recognize the 1,442 combat pilots that received a special distinction of becoming an ace by destroying five or more hostile aircraft. The Association is honored to sponsor the Museum's series of panel discussions with aces and combat pilots.

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The non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest independent air and space museums in the world. The Museum's collection includes more than 150 historically significant air- and spacecraft, as well as the William E. Boeing Red Barn^® -- the original manufacturing facility of the Boeing Co. The Airpark includes outdoor displays with the first jet Air Force One, a Concorde airliner, and the first Boeing 747 jumbo jet. The Museum aeronautical library and archival holdings are the largest on the West Coast. The Education Office offers weekend family programs, programs for students and educators, and overnight camps for children. McCormick & Schmick's Wings Café is on site.

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