Ernest Bankey Ernest Edward Bankey Jr . ( August 28 , 1920 – June 15 , 2009 ) was an American World War II ace with 9 . 5 aerial victories and an ace in a day who rose to the rank of colonel in the United States Air Force . Early life . Bankey was born on August 28 , 1920 , in Cleveland , Ohio , and was raised in Toledo , Ohio . It was during his youth that he began his interest in planes . He began building model planes from the age of eight . He also won the Soap Box Derby twice , in 1935 and 1936 . Military career . Bankey joined the Army Air Corps at Fort Hayes , Columbus , Ohio , on April 1 , 1941 . As a staff sergeant , he taught aerial gunnery techniques in Las Vegas , while awaiting acceptance into Air Cadet School to start pilot training . In July 1943 , Bankey gained his commission and pilot wings as part of class 43G at Williams Air Force Base , Arizona . He did his preliminary training in a Stearman PT - 13 at Tulare , California , his basic training in a BT - 13 Valiant in Modesto , California and advanced training in a T - 6 Texan in Phoenix , Arizona . As a second lieutenant , he joined 383rd Fighter Squadron . His first combat posting was to England with the 364th Fighter Group , 8th Air Force , in February 1944 . He was reassigned to the 385th Fighter Squadron . On December 27 , 1944 , during the Battle of the Bulge and whilst flying over the Bonn area of Germany , Bankey shot down five enemy planes and shared another . This earned him the designation of " ace in a day " . He was also awarded the Army Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Unit Citation for this sortie . He compiled over 100 sorties and 500 combat hours in two tours of duty . Banks is credited with 9 . 5 air - to - air kills . Awards and decorations . During his lengthy career , Bankey earned many decorations , including : Bankey was a captain when , on June 26 , 1945 , he was awarded the Silver Star " for actions during World War II " . The citation reads : The President of the United States of America , authorized by Act of Congress , July 9 , 1918 , takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain ( Air Corps ) Ernest E . Bankey , Jr . ( ASN : 0 - 752095 ) , United States Army Air Forces , for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P - 51 fighter airplane of the 364th Fighter Group , EIGHTH Air Force , on 16 April 1945 . Having furnished fighter escort to a target in Germany , Captain Bankey , with his Squadron , proceeded to an enemy airdrome according to plan . In the face of intense ground fire , he made six sweeps across the field , destroying four and damaging four enemy aircraft on the ground . Realizing that his plane had sustained numerous hits and that he was now alone , he withdrew and set a course for base . On the return journey he observed another airfield and made futile attempts to contact he group leader . Although only two of his guns were operational , he circled the field and as three fighters took off , made a daring attack . Expending the last of his ammunition , he scored strikes on two of the planes which crashed and exploded . Captain Bankey ' s boldness , disregard for personal safety , and fearless initiative during this action attest to his determination to destroy the enemy at any cost . Final years . After retirement from the Air Force , Bankley joined the Jet Propulsion Laboratories in California . There he worked on deep space projects . He retired in 1975 . Bankey died on June 15 , 2009 in his home in Newbury Park , California . He was buried with full military honors in Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in Camarillo , California . Personal life . Bankey married Lillian Ruth " Ginny " Kontak on May 2 , 1942 , in Bowling Green , Ohio . They had four children : sons Dan and Keith , and daughters Sharon and Tina . Bankey has eight grandchildren and seven great - grandchildren . His wife Ginny , died on July 16 , 2009 ; she was in - urned next to her husband .