“Duke” Hedman was the First American Aerial Ace of World War II

“He is a combat pilot and reckless courage of his attacks … is there something you can be proud of. “

When a man thinks US Air Air ASSs from World War II“Those who have destroyed five or more enemy aircraft In the air fight – our chances are the following names:

But there are great chances that they heard relatively little about Robert. B. “Duke” Hedman. Which cry is a shame, because he was actually the first US Air Aly from World War II, as well as a member of the legendary American volunteer group (AVG), better known as Flying tigers. National interest Now he throws a light on Hedman’s story.

Early life of Duke Hedman?

Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of detailed information about Duke Hedman’s premiere life. Considering the lack of such information, it may be a little surprise that Hedman is not the name of the household in the Fighter Ace community as gentlemen named above.

Thanks Flying Line Historical SocietyWe can accept that he was born somewhere in southern Dakota in 1916, and later earned the wings of his pilot through Hancock College of Aeronautics In Santa Mary, California.

Making ASA: Hedman’s career of World War II

At some point, Hedman ended up with the first AVG, serving as a flight leader for the 3rd squadron, Nickname “hellish angels. “Like his colleagues flying tigers, he flew Curtiss P-40 Warhawk with its iconic shark. This would set the stage to become as ace, the feat even more extraordinary because it was AS-in day, while he was lowering five imperial Japanese bombers in Less than fifteen minutes Through Rangoon, Burma, on Christmas Day 1941. He boldly flew his fighter Smackdab in the middle of a bomber formation, after which the Japanese pilots of the fighter performing duties accompanied by an obviously hesitant to shoot on Hotshot American Fighter Jock for the risk of friendly fire.

The Hedman’s sub -signs deserved praise from their commander. Gene. (Later Major Gen.) Claire Lee Chennault, In a letter to Acena Father, a banker in Rural southern Dakota:

“He is a combat pilot and reckless courage of his attacks, both on missions and bombing, as well as in air fighting with Japanese, is something you can be proud of. “

Before AVG was dissolved, Hedman was able to achieve another air victory, which brought his final result to six. After the dissolution, he continued to contribute to war efforts against the Imperial Japan through the Chinese National Air Force Corporation, flying missions “Over” coat of arms “ of the Himalayas.

Hedman’s life after World War II

As is the case with Hedman’s pre -war life, there are also scarce details of his post -war life. One of them comes out of information we could get Flying page Tigers on Facebook. In it, we see a post from Jackie Hedman Culbreath, who says her father and Duke are the first relatives and that after the war he “helped launch a flying tiger line and piloted freight planes”; Another poster on a discussion topic, Erick Krueck, adds comment “Remember him as one of our DC-8 Captain … great man! “

In favor of our readers who are not familiar with Tiger flying lineIt was the first scheduled cargo airplane in the United States – intended in 1945 and headquartered at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – and a military charter operator during the Cold War time and for burden and for staff; FedEx acquired it in 1989.

About the author: Christian D. Orr

Christian D. ORR previously was a higher editor of defense for National Security Journal (Nsj) and 19fort. He is a former Officer of Air Force Security Forces, a Federal Law Officer and a private military contractor (with tasks working in Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Japan, Germany and Pentagon). Chris graduated in international relations with the University of Southern California (USC) and MA in intelligence studies (concentration in terrorism studies) from the US military university (AMU). Was also published in Daily torch,, Intelligence and Cyber ​​Security Journaland Simple flying. Last but not the least important, he is a follower of order The naval order of the United States (Nous). If you want to choose the brain further, you can find it often on Old Virginia Tobacco Company (OVTC) Lounge in Manassas, Virginia, participating in fine cattle and quality human friend.

Picture: Public domain through Wikimedia Commons