Air Force Lt. Gen. Charles "Chick" Cleveland flew 145 combat missions in Korea and Vietnam, shooting down at least five planes during a career in which he logged more than 4,500 flying hours.

The 87-year-old Cleveland is one of only 1,447 U.S. pilots designated as American Fighter Aces, a title reserved for those who shot down at least five enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam.

As president of the American Fighter Aces Association, Cleveland accepted another honor Wednesday on behalf of himself and the 76 other living members: the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress' highest civilian award.

"If there's an elite among fighter pilots, it's these men," Cleveland told a crowd of about 500 people at a Capitol ceremony that included about three dozen members of the elite fighter group.

The Fighter Aces "helped shorten the wars and saved lives," said Cleveland, of Montgomery, Ala. "These men are disappearing but must not be forgotten." House Speaker John Boehner said the daring missions flown by the Fighter Aces "changed the course of American-fought wars throughout modern history. These Fighter Aces risked it all to defend freedom and democracy around the world." Boehner, R-Ohio, was among several congressional leaders to speak at Wednesday's ceremony.

"We are the land of the free because of our fighter aces," said Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, a former fighter pilot who flew 87 combat missions in Korea and Vietnam. "I cannot think of a more appropriate way to honor their heroism than with the Congressional Gold Medal."

Air Force Brig. Gen. Frank Gailer Jr., a World War II Fighter Ace, served as wingman for famed pilot Chuck Yeager. Gailer, 91, of San Antonio, called the ceremony "fabulous" and said he accepted the gold medal on behalf of himself and those who did not live to see it awarded.

To read the complete article, see:
American Fighter Aces Receive Congressional Gold Medal Across 4 Wars (www.military.com/daily-news/2015/05/22/american-fighter-aces-receive-congressional-gold-medal-4-wars.html)

The Congressional Gold Medal was presented to the American Fighter Aces collectively today during a ceremony in Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center.

The medal was awarded to the American Fighter Aces in recognition of their heroic service to the United States throughout the history of aviation warfare. American Fighter Aces are military pilots credited with destroying five or more confirmed enemy aircraft in aerial combat during a war or conflict in which the U.S. Armed Forces have participated. Aces have served in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. More than 60,000 fighter pilots have flown since World War I, but fewer than 1,500 are called Fighter Aces.

The medal's obverse design features four pilots, representing World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War; an ace of spades; and military wings with a centered globe, symbolizing the global impact of the group's service. Inscriptions are "AMERICAN FIGHTER ACES," "ARMY," "NAVY," "AIR FORCE," and "MARINES."

The reverse design features four aircraft used by American Fighter Aces and includes five stars to represent the minimum number of aerial combat victories required for certification. Inscriptions are "DUTY COURAGE AGGRESSIVENESS," "2014," and "ACT OF CONGRESS."

Obverse
Designer: Joel Iskowitz
Engraver: Phebe Hemphill

Reverse
Designer: Don Everhart
Engraver: Don Everhart

For more information, see:
American Fighter Aces Bronze Medal (www.usmint.gov/pressroom/?action=Photo#FighterAces)