75 years ago on this day (1951): during the Korean War, 27-year-old Captain James Jabara of Wichita shot down two more Soviet-built Mig15s, his fifth and sixth victories, thus becoming the first American in history to use jet aircraft to become a flying ace.
To be designated an official flying ace, a military pilot must achieve five or more confirmed aerial combat kills; the term originated during World War I, and this benchmark has remained the standard for air forces across the globe.
On that day, two flights of F-86 Sabres encountered multiple MiG-15s in MiG Alley, over the skies in the northwestern portion of North Korea; two additional flights of Sabres joined the battle, including Jabara…