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{{Short description|American army officer (1921–2022)}}
{{Short description|American Naval officer (1921–2022)}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
| name = Dean S. Laird
| name = Dean S. Laird
| image =File:202045003 Dean Laird (Diz Laird), 2013 SDASM Hall of Fame (HOF) Inductee portrait; World War II Naval Aviator and Ace; Artist- Edward Saenz.jpg
| image =
| image_size =
| image_size =
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption = Portrait by Edward Saenz
| birth_name = Dean Samuel Laird
| birth_name = Dean Samuel Laird
| nickname = "Diz"
| nickname = "Diz"
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| birth_place = [[Loomis, California]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Loomis, California]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|08|10|1921|02|07}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|08|10|1921|02|07}}
| death_place =
| death_place = [[Walnut Creek, California]]
| placeofburial =
| placeofburial =
| allegiance = United States
| allegiance = United States
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}}
}}


'''Dean Samuel Laird''' (February 7, 1921 – August 10, 2022), also known as '''Diz Laird''', was the only [[U.S. Navy]] [[Ace (military)#Flying aces|ace]] to have combat victories in both the [[Pacific theatre in world war ii|Pacific]] and [[European theatre of World War II|European theater]]s of [[World War II]].<ref name="Aces">{{Cite news |title=The Last American Aces |url=https://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/last-american-aces-180955991/ |accessdate=July 22, 2020 |publisher=Air and Space magazine |date=August 2015}}</ref> He is given credit for 5.75 aerial victories.<ref name="HistoryNet">{{Cite web |last1=Carlson |first1=Mark |title=An Ace in the Hole: "Diz" Laird |url=https://www.historynet.com/ace-hole-diz-laird.htm |website=historynet |publisher=HistoryNet |accessdate=July 23, 2020}}</ref> Laird flew 138 fighter missions during World War II.<ref name="MediaNews">{{Cite news |title=Walnut Creek: World War II fighter pilots describe exhilaration of flying |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2015/11/10/walnut-creek-world-war-ii-fighter-pilots-describe-exhilaration-of-flying/ |accessdate=July 23, 2020 |publisher=MediaNews Group Inc. |date=August 15, 2016}}</ref> Laird is a [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] recipient.<ref name="MediaNews"/> He served in World War II, the [[Korean War]] and the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="ABC">{{Cite news |last1=Brinkley |first1=Leslie |title=Local 97-year-old ace pilot getting national Audie Murphy award |url=https://abc7news.com/ace-fighter-pilot-world-war-ii-korean-vietnam/4544269/ |accessdate=July 23, 2020 |publisher=ABC, Inc. |date=October 23, 2018}}</ref> He was a recipient of the [[Congressional Gold Medal]] (2015).<ref name="Journal"/>
'''Dean Samuel "Diz" Laird''' (February 7, 1921 – August 10, 2022) was the only [[U.S. Navy]] [[Ace (military)#Flying aces|ace]] to have combat victories in both the [[Pacific theatre in world war ii|Pacific]] and [[European theatre of World War II|European theater]]s of [[World War II]].<ref name="Aces">{{Cite news |title=The Last American Aces |url=https://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/last-american-aces-180955991/ |accessdate=July 22, 2020 |work=Air and Space magazine |date=August 2015}}</ref> He served in World War II, the [[Korean War]], and the [[Vietnam War]],<ref name="ABC">{{Cite news |last1=Brinkley |first1=Leslie |title=Local 97-year-old ace pilot getting national Audie Murphy award |url=https://abc7news.com/ace-fighter-pilot-world-war-ii-korean-vietnam/4544269/ |accessdate=July 23, 2020 |publisher=ABC |date=October 23, 2018}}</ref> and is given credit for 5.75 aerial victories.<ref name="HistoryNet">{{Cite web |last1=Carlson |first1=Mark |title=An Ace in the Hole: 'Diz' Laird |url=https://www.historynet.com/ace-hole-diz-laird.htm |website=HistoryNet |date=May 4, 2018 |accessdate=July 23, 2020}}</ref> Laird flew 138 fighter missions during World War II.<ref name="MediaNews">{{Cite news |title=Walnut Creek: World War II fighter pilots describe exhilaration of flying |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2015/11/10/walnut-creek-world-war-ii-fighter-pilots-describe-exhilaration-of-flying/ |accessdate=July 23, 2020 |publisher=MediaNews Group |date=August 15, 2016}}</ref> and was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]<ref name="MediaNews"/> and the [[Congressional Gold Medal]],<ref name="Journal"/> among other honors.


==Career==
==Career==
One week after the [[Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor]] on December 7, 1941, Laird drove to San Francisco to enlist.<ref name="ABC"/> Laird entered the U.S. Navy cadet program. On August 11, 1942, he became a commissioned officer. In NAS Miami, Florida, on October 21, 1942, he became a Naval Aviator.<ref name="Veteran">{{Cite web |title=Dean S. Laird |url=http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=1683 |website=veterantributes |publisher=Veteran Tributes |accessdate=July 23, 2020}}</ref> Laird shot down 5.75 enemy aircraft in combat and he damaged an additional plane. Two of his kills were German planes: A [[Ju-88]] and a [[He 115|He-115]] in October 1943 near Norway. The other kills were Japanese planes so Laird has the distinction of being the only Navy ace to have scored air victories against both Germany and Japan.<ref name="Veteran"/> He flew [[F4F Wildcat]] and then [[F4F Wildcat|F6F]]s and was assigned from November 1942 to March 1943, to the aircraft carrier [[USS Ranger (CV-4)]]. November 1944 to March 1945 he was assigned to the [[USS Essex (CV-9)]].
One week after the [[Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor]] on December 7, 1941, Laird drove to San Francisco to enlist.<ref name="ABC"/> Laird entered the U.S. Navy cadet program. On August 11, 1942, he became a commissioned officer. In NAS Miami, Florida, on October 21, 1942, he became a Naval Aviator.<ref name="Veteran">{{Cite web |title=Dean S. Laird |url=http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=1683 |website=Veteran Tributes |accessdate=July 23, 2020}}</ref> Laird shot down 5.75 enemy aircraft in combat and he damaged an additional plane. Two of his kills were German planes: A [[Junkers Ju 88|Ju 88]] and a [[Heinkel He 115|He 115]] in October 1943 near Norway. The other kills were Japanese planes so Laird has the distinction of being the only Navy ace to have scored air victories against both Germany and Japan.<ref name="Veteran"/> He flew [[F4F Wildcat]] and then [[Grumman F6F Hellcat|F6F Hellcats]] and was assigned from November 1942 to March 1943, to the aircraft carrier [[USS Ranger (CV-4)]]. November 1944 to March 1945 he was assigned to the [[USS Essex (CV-9)]].


In December 1944, Laird was almost shot down. His F6F Hellcat was riddled with bullets over the Philippines, but he was able to pilot the plane back to the USS Essex which was 250 miles away.<ref name="MediaNews"/> His landing gear did not work and Laird landed the plane skidding on its bottom across the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Essex.<ref name="Hartford">{{Cite news |last1=Rowe |first1=Peter |last2=Wilkens |first2=John |title=WWII pilot defeated German and Japanese foes |url=https://www.courant.com/sdut-wwii-pilot-defeated-german-and-japanese-foes-2012oct27-story.html |accessdate=July 23, 2020 |publisher=Hartford Courant |date=October 27, 2012}}</ref>
In December 1944, Laird was almost shot down. His F6F Hellcat was riddled with bullets over the Philippines, but he was able to pilot the plane back to the USS Essex which was 250 miles away.<ref name="MediaNews"/> His landing gear did not work and Laird landed the plane skidding on its bottom across the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Essex.<ref name="Hartford">{{Cite news |last1=Rowe |first1=Peter |last2=Wilkens |first2=John |title=WWII pilot defeated German and Japanese foes |url=https://www.courant.com/sdut-wwii-pilot-defeated-german-and-japanese-foes-2012oct27-story.html |accessdate=July 23, 2020 |newspaper=Hartford Courant |date=October 27, 2012}}</ref>


He received the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] for his actions on February 7, 1945. Laird was escorting bomber planes which were attacking heavily defended Japanese aircraft engine factories. He shot down two Japanese planes during that mission near [[Tokyo]], Japan.<ref name="MediaNews"/><ref name="Military Times">{{Cite web |title=Dean Samuel Laird |url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/314464 |website=Military Times |publisher=Sightline Media Group |accessdate=July 23, 2020}}</ref>
He received the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] for his actions on February 7, 1945. Laird was escorting bomber planes which were attacking heavily defended Japanese aircraft engine factories. He shot down two Japanese planes during that mission near [[Tokyo]], Japan.<ref name="MediaNews"/><ref name="Military Times">{{Cite web |title=Dean Samuel Laird |url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/314464 |website=Military Times |publisher=Sightline Media Group |accessdate=July 23, 2020}}</ref>


When Laird was 93 years old, he was one of 35 Aces to travel to the nation's capital and receive the Congressional Gold Medal recognizing the 1,450 Aces from all of the wars.<ref name="Journal">{{Cite news |last1=Achelis |first1=Scott |last2=Laird Achelis |first2=Andrea |title=Coronado’s "Avenue Of The Heroes" – Commander Dean "Diz" Laird, USN Retired |url=http://www.coronadonewsca.com/news/coronado_city_news/coronado-s-avenue-of-the-heroes---commander-dean-diz-laird-usn-retired/article_ac0e9d3a-cae3-11e5-a647-b7e9c59a52c7.html |accessdate=July 23, 2020 |publisher=Coronado Eagle & Journal |date=February 3, 2016}}</ref>
When Laird was 93 years old, he was one of 35 Aces to travel to the nation's capital and receive the Congressional Gold Medal recognizing the 1,450 Aces from all of the wars.<ref name="Journal">{{Cite news |last1=Achelis |first1=Scott |last2=Laird Achelis |first2=Andrea |title=Coronado's 'Avenue Of The Heroes' – Commander Dean 'Diz' Laird, USN Retired |url=http://www.coronadonewsca.com/news/coronado_city_news/coronado-s-avenue-of-the-heroes---commander-dean-diz-laird-usn-retired/article_ac0e9d3a-cae3-11e5-a647-b7e9c59a52c7.html |accessdate=July 23, 2020 |newspaper=Coronado Eagle & Journal |date=February 3, 2016}}</ref>


===Film===
===Film===
In 1969, Laird was a stunt pilot. In the 20th Century Fox film ''[[Tora! Tora! Tora!]]'', Laird performed many of the stunts which ended up in the movie.<ref name="Navy">{{Cite news |last1=Bayas |first1=Paolo |title=Legendary Ace Flies His 100th Aircraft in "the Birthplace of Naval Aviation" |url=https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=95609&fbclid=IwAR2VB8eyIZ2FR8NbbbOEwZvGyIhAun0iUCrExPKhC9SKSGmUqFzbKcYp2Ao |accessdate=July 23, 2020 |publisher=Official Website of the United States Navy |date=July 9, 2016}}</ref> Laird helped choreograph the reenactment of the attack on Pearl Harbor and he was the lead stunt pilot.<ref name="Journal"/> He was one of the three main pilots in the movie and he flew approximately 164 hours during the movie production.<ref name="Tora">{{Cite web |title=Dean S. Laird, CDR, USN (Ret.) "Diz" |url=http://www.epnaao.com/BIOS_files/REGULARS/Laird-%20Dean%20S.pdf |website=epnaao |accessdate=July 23, 2020}}</ref>
In 1969, Laird was a stunt pilot. He performed many of the stunts in the 20th Century Fox film ''[[Tora! Tora! Tora!]]'';<ref name="Navy">{{Cite news |last1=Bayas |first1=Paolo |title=Legendary Ace Flies His 100th Aircraft in "the Birthplace of Naval Aviation" |url=https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=95609&fbclid=IwAR2VB8eyIZ2FR8NbbbOEwZvGyIhAun0iUCrExPKhC9SKSGmUqFzbKcYp2Ao |accessdate=July 23, 2020 |publisher=Official Website of the United States Navy |date=July 9, 2016}}</ref> he helped choreograph the reenactment of the attack on Pearl Harbor and was the lead stunt pilot.<ref name="Journal"/> He was one of the three main pilots in the film and he flew approximately 164 hours during production.<ref name="Tora">{{Cite web |title=Dean S. Laird, CDR, USN (Ret.) "Diz" |url=http://www.epnaao.com/BIOS_files/REGULARS/Laird-%20Dean%20S.pdf |website=epnaao |accessdate=July 23, 2020}}</ref>


==Personal life and death==
==Personal life and death==
Laird was born in [[Loomis, California]], and lived in [[Coronado, California|Coronado]].<ref name="Hartford"/> He [[centenarian|turned 100]] in February 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Robbins |first1=Gary |title=Famed WWII fighter pilots, now 100 and 101, to get final rides in the sky |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/veterans/story/2022-06-29/pilots-laird-anderson-honor-flights |website=[[San Diego Union-Tribune]] |access-date=July 4, 2022}}</ref> and died on August 10, 2022, at the age of 101.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The San Diego Air & Space Museum Remembers World War II Ace Dean “Diz” Laird – the “Quintessential Fighter Pilot” |url=https://sandiegoairandspace.org/press/release/the-san-diego-air-space-museum-remembers-world-war-ii-ace-dean-diz-laird-the-quintessential-fighter-pilot |website=San Diego Air & Space Museum |access-date=August 13, 2022}}</ref>
Laird was born in [[Loomis, California]],<ref name="Hartford"/> and grew up in Northern California. In 1958 he moved to [[Coronado, California|Coronado]], where he co-owned and operated the Coronado Municipal Golf Course restaurant; in 2015 he moved back north to [[Walnut Creek, California|Walnut Creek]] to be close to his daughter and her family.<ref name=jets>{{Cite news |first=Joel |last=Umanzor |title=Here's why fighter jets were circling Bay Area skies |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Here-s-why-fighter-jets-were-circling-Bay-Area-17461103.php |date=September 23, 2022 |orig-year=September 22, 2022 |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle }}</ref> He [[centenarian|turned 100]] in February 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Robbins |first1=Gary |title=Famed WWII fighter pilots, now 100 and 101, to get final rides in the sky |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/veterans/story/2022-06-29/pilots-laird-anderson-honor-flights |website=[[San Diego Union-Tribune]] |date=June 29, 2022 |access-date=July 4, 2022}}</ref> and died on August 10, 2022, at the age of 101.<ref name=jets/><ref>{{Cite web |title=The San Diego Air & Space Museum Remembers World War II Ace Dean 'Diz' Laird – the "Quintessential Fighter Pilot" |url=https://sandiegoairandspace.org/press/release/the-san-diego-air-space-museum-remembers-world-war-ii-ace-dean-diz-laird-the-quintessential-fighter-pilot |website=San Diego Air & Space Museum |access-date=August 13, 2022}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
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|[[Korean War Service Medal]]
|[[Korean War Service Medal]]
|}
|}
* [[Congressional Gold Medal]] (2015)<ref name="Journal"/><ref name="Gold Medal">{{Cite web |last1=113th Congress |title=H.R.685 – American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/685/text |website=Congress.gov |publisher=Library of Congress |accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Vogt">{{Cite news |last1=Vogt |first1=Tom |title=Off Beat: WWII pilot one of the faces of America’s fighter aces |url=https://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/08/off-beat-wwii-pilot-one-of-the-faces-of-americas-fighter-aces/ |accessdate=July 22, 2020 |publisher=The Columbian |date=February 8, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Congressional Gold Medal]] (2015)<ref name="Journal"/><ref name="Gold Medal">{{Cite web |last1=113th Congress |title=H.R.685 – American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/685/text |website=Congress.gov |publisher=Library of Congress |accessdate=July 22, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Vogt">{{Cite news |last1=Vogt |first1=Tom |title=Off Beat: WWII pilot one of the faces of America's fighter aces |url=https://www.columbian.com/news/2016/feb/08/off-beat-wwii-pilot-one-of-the-faces-of-americas-fighter-aces/ |accessdate=July 22, 2020 |publisher=The Columbian |date=February 8, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Audie Murphy]] award presented by the [[American Veterans Center]]<ref name="AVC">{{Cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title= American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes|url= http://www.spiritof45.org/2018%20AVC%20Conference%20Program-2.pdf#page=19|magazine=2018 AVC Conference Program|publisher= American Veterans Center |date= October 2018 |access-date=August 10, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Audie Murphy]] award presented by the [[American Veterans Center]]<ref name="AVC">{{Cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title= American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes|url= http://www.spiritof45.org/2018%20AVC%20Conference%20Program-2.pdf#page=19|magazine=2018 AVC Conference Program|publisher= American Veterans Center |date= October 2018 |access-date=August 10, 2020}}</ref>


===Affiliations===
===Affiliations===
He was a member of the [[American Fighter Aces Association]],<ref name="Aces"/> the [[Distinguished Flying Cross Society]]<ref name="HistoryNet"/> and the [[Tailhook Association]].<ref name="Tora"/>
He was a member of the [[American Fighter Aces Association]],<ref name="Aces"/> the [[Distinguished Flying Cross Society]],<ref name="HistoryNet"/> and the [[Tailhook Association]].<ref name="Tora"/> The "QB" pilots association.


==See also==
==See also==
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[[Category:United States Navy officers]]
[[Category:United States Navy officers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)]]
[[Category:American centenarians]]
[[Category:American men centenarians]]
[[Category:Men centenarians]]
[[Category:People from Loomis, California]]
[[Category:People from Placer County, California]]
[[Category:People from Placer County, California]]
[[Category:Aviators from California]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States)]]

Latest revision as of 23:27, 5 December 2024

Dean S. Laird
Portrait by Edward Saenz
Birth nameDean Samuel Laird
Nickname(s)"Diz"
Born(1921-02-07)February 7, 1921
Loomis, California, U.S.
DiedAugust 10, 2022(2022-08-10) (aged 101)
Walnut Creek, California
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1942 to 1971
RankCommander
Unit
CommandsVF-213
Battles / wars
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross

Dean Samuel "Diz" Laird (February 7, 1921 – August 10, 2022) was the only U.S. Navy ace to have combat victories in both the Pacific and European theaters of World War II.[1] He served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War,[2] and is given credit for 5.75 aerial victories.[3] Laird flew 138 fighter missions during World War II.[4] and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross[4] and the Congressional Gold Medal,[5] among other honors.

Career

[edit]

One week after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Laird drove to San Francisco to enlist.[2] Laird entered the U.S. Navy cadet program. On August 11, 1942, he became a commissioned officer. In NAS Miami, Florida, on October 21, 1942, he became a Naval Aviator.[6] Laird shot down 5.75 enemy aircraft in combat and he damaged an additional plane. Two of his kills were German planes: A Ju 88 and a He 115 in October 1943 near Norway. The other kills were Japanese planes so Laird has the distinction of being the only Navy ace to have scored air victories against both Germany and Japan.[6] He flew F4F Wildcat and then F6F Hellcats and was assigned from November 1942 to March 1943, to the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-4). November 1944 to March 1945 he was assigned to the USS Essex (CV-9).

In December 1944, Laird was almost shot down. His F6F Hellcat was riddled with bullets over the Philippines, but he was able to pilot the plane back to the USS Essex which was 250 miles away.[4] His landing gear did not work and Laird landed the plane skidding on its bottom across the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Essex.[7]

He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions on February 7, 1945. Laird was escorting bomber planes which were attacking heavily defended Japanese aircraft engine factories. He shot down two Japanese planes during that mission near Tokyo, Japan.[4][8]

When Laird was 93 years old, he was one of 35 Aces to travel to the nation's capital and receive the Congressional Gold Medal recognizing the 1,450 Aces from all of the wars.[5]

Film

[edit]

In 1969, Laird was a stunt pilot. He performed many of the stunts in the 20th Century Fox film Tora! Tora! Tora!;[9] he helped choreograph the reenactment of the attack on Pearl Harbor and was the lead stunt pilot.[5] He was one of the three main pilots in the film and he flew approximately 164 hours during production.[10]

Personal life and death

[edit]

Laird was born in Loomis, California,[7] and grew up in Northern California. In 1958 he moved to Coronado, where he co-owned and operated the Coronado Municipal Golf Course restaurant; in 2015 he moved back north to Walnut Creek to be close to his daughter and her family.[11] He turned 100 in February 2021,[12] and died on August 10, 2022, at the age of 101.[11][13]

Awards

[edit]
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Naval Aviator Badge
Distinguished Flying Cross[4][3]
Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal
w/ four 5⁄16" Gold Stars 		Navy Presidential Unit Citation
w/ two 3⁄16" Bronze Stars
China Service Medal American Campaign Medal European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
w/ one 3⁄16" Bronze Star
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
w/ three 3⁄16" Bronze Stars 		World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal
w/ one 3⁄16" Bronze Star
Korean Service Medal
w/ two 3⁄16" Bronze Stars 		United Nations Korea Medal Korean War Service Medal

Affiliations

[edit]

He was a member of the American Fighter Aces Association,[1] the Distinguished Flying Cross Society,[3] and the Tailhook Association.[10] The "QB" pilots association.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "The Last American Aces". Air and Space magazine. August 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Brinkley, Leslie (October 23, 2018). "Local 97-year-old ace pilot getting national Audie Murphy award". ABC. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Carlson, Mark (May 4, 2018). "An Ace in the Hole: 'Diz' Laird". HistoryNet. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Walnut Creek: World War II fighter pilots describe exhilaration of flying". MediaNews Group. August 15, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d Achelis, Scott; Laird Achelis, Andrea (February 3, 2016). "Coronado's 'Avenue Of The Heroes' – Commander Dean 'Diz' Laird, USN Retired". Coronado Eagle & Journal. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Dean S. Laird". Veteran Tributes. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Rowe, Peter; Wilkens, John (October 27, 2012). "WWII pilot defeated German and Japanese foes". Hartford Courant. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  8. ^ "Dean Samuel Laird". Military Times. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  9. ^ Bayas, Paolo (July 9, 2016). "Legendary Ace Flies His 100th Aircraft in "the Birthplace of Naval Aviation"". Official Website of the United States Navy. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Dean S. Laird, CDR, USN (Ret.) "Diz"" (PDF). epnaao. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  11. ^ a b Umanzor, Joel (September 23, 2022) [September 22, 2022]. "Here's why fighter jets were circling Bay Area skies". San Francisco Chronicle.
  12. ^ Robbins, Gary (June 29, 2022). "Famed WWII fighter pilots, now 100 and 101, to get final rides in the sky". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  13. ^ "The San Diego Air & Space Museum Remembers World War II Ace Dean 'Diz' Laird – the "Quintessential Fighter Pilot"". San Diego Air & Space Museum. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  14. ^ 113th Congress. "H.R.685 – American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act". Congress.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved July 22, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ Vogt, Tom (February 8, 2016). "Off Beat: WWII pilot one of the faces of America's fighter aces". The Columbian. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  16. ^ "American Valor: A Salute to Our Heroes" (PDF). 2018 AVC Conference Program. American Veterans Center. October 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2020.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
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