Ace Status in the USAAF

[airminded88]

Good afternoon gents,
I was wondering if at some point during WWII did the USSAF hand any type of award or recognition to fighter pilots who achieved the coveted ace status.
Thank you in advance!

Cheers

 

[TheRealMrEd]

Not sure about award for becoming an ace, but George E. Laven, Jr. Was a 1st Lt in June or August 1942. He got one kill in Sept. '42 and became a Captain, and by November 1942 (another kill), he became a Major. Two more kills in 1943, and a last one in 1945. By 1947, he was a Lt. Col.

Seems that promotions came with kills, at least early on!

Ed

 

[airminded88]

Thank you Ed, much appreciated

 

[Barrett]

Not sure about award for becoming an ace, but George E. Laven, Jr. Was a 1st Lt in June or August 1942. He got one kill in Sept. '42 and became a Captain, and by November 1942 (another kill), he became a Major. Two more kills in 1943, and a last one in 1945. By 1947, he was a Lt. Col.

Seems that promotions came with kills, at least early on!

Ed

I'm late to this thread--with several others.

Anyway: I enjoyed getting to know George Laven when I was secretary of the aces assn. But the review committee found that he shot down 4 Japanese aircraft and shared a flying boat on the water.

Frequently "ace in a day" earned a service cross but not always. And the navy-marines did not seem to attach much significance to a career record of 5 victories as much as the AAF.