Toop
Oscar  F.  Perdomo  
Photo
Ribbons
 
  Rank, Service
Major O-4,  U.S. Air Force
  Veteran of:
U.S. Army Reserve 1942-1943
U.S. Army Air Forces 1943-1947
U.S. Air Force 1947-1950, 1952-1958
U.S. Air Force Reserve 1950-1952, 1958-1970
World War II 1942-1945
Cold War 1945-1970
  Tribute:

Oscar Perdomo was born on June 14, 1919, in El Paso, Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on August 11, 1942, and entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Forces on February 13, 1943. Perdomo was commissioned a 2d Lt and awarded his pilot wings at Williams Field, Arizona, on January 7, 1944, and after serving as a flight instructor, he completing P-47 Thunderbolt training, and was assigned to the 464th Fighter Squadron of the 507th Fighter Group in October 1944, and then deployed with the group to Ie Shima, in the Pacific, in June 1945. Lt Perdomo flew just 11 combat missions before the war ended, and he became the last "ace in a day" of World War II when he destroyed 5 Japanese aircraft during one mission on August 13, 1945. He remained in the Air Force after the war ended, and converted to jet fighters before leaving active duty and joining the Air Force Reserve on January 19, 1950. Capt Perdomo was recalled to active duty on January 21, 1952, and served with the 93rd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS) at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, from January 1952 to May 1953, and then with the 15th FIS at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, from May 1953 to May 1954. Perdomo next served with the 460th and 469th FIS at McGhee-Tyson Airport, Tennessee, from May 1954 to December 1955, when he transferred to the 41st FIS at Yakota AB, japan. He then transferred with the 41st to Andersen AFB, Guam, where he served until January 1958. Maj Perdomo left active duty on February 1, 1958, and served in the Air Force Reserve until his retirement on November 24, 1970. Oscar Perdomo died on March 2, 1978. His body was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea. Oscar's son, U.S. Army SP4 Kris Perdomo, was killed in action in Vietnam on May 5, 1970.

His Distinguished Service Cross Citation reads:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Oscar F. Perdomo, First Lieutenant (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 464th Fighter Squadron, 507th Fighter Group, TWENTIETH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 13 August 1945, during an air mission near Seoul, Korea. On that date, First Lieutenant Perdomo engaged a superior number of enemy aircraft, shooting down five in this one battle to become an ACE in a day. First Lieutenant Perdomo's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 20th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

  




 


 

 
Contact Veteran Tributes at info@veterantributes.org


 

 
Contact Veteran Tributes at info@veterantributes.org