The P-51 Ace Who Fought German Jets and Survived Against the Odds

The P-51 Ace Who Fought German Jets and Survived Against the Odds

I have been learning about the people who served during the wars, and I wanted to tell you about Richard G. Candelaria.

He was born on the 14th of July 1922 in El Paso, growing up during the Great Depression. He sadly lost his father when he was still young age. As a young man, he was drawn to aviation and worked with aircraft instruments while he was studying.

In 1943, during World War II, he joined the United States Army Air Forces. After he had completed his training, he became a fighter pilot and was sent to England, flying escort missions in the P-51 Mustang. In December of 1944, he shot down two enemy aircraft.

On the 7th of April 1945, he encountered advanced German jets and multiple fighters. Despite these overwhelming odds, he still engaged them, he damaging a jet and shot down four enemy aircraft. An incredible feat.

Only days later, he was shot down and he was forced to evade capture. He was exhausted and hunted. He was captured but he later managed to escape and return to the Allied lines.

He was credited with six victories. He received the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, and multiple Air Medals. He retired as a colonel.

He passed away in 2024 at the age of 102.