Oscar Perdomo and the P-47 “Lil Me’s Meat Chopper”: The Verified Story Behind America’s Last “Ace in a Day”
On August 13, 1945—just days before Japan’s formal surrender—U.S. Army Air Forces fighter pilot Oscar Francis Perdomo flew a mission that would place him in a rare category in American aviation history. In a short, fast-moving engagement over Korea, Perdomo was credited with five aerial victories in a single day, earning the designation often called an “ace in a day.” Multiple reputable historical sources agree that this was the last confirmed “ace in a day” action for the United States in World War II.
Over the years, viral retellings have added dramatic details and exaggerated language. The documented record is strong enough on its own. When told carefully—using verified facts, official citations, and reputable museum research—Perdomo’s story becomes a clear example of how training, timing, and calm decision-making can converge in a single mission.
Who Was Oscar Francis Perdomo?
Oscar Francis Perdomo served as a fighter pilot with the 464th Fighter Squadron, 507th Fighter Group, in the Twentieth Air Force. His name appears in official award documentation for the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), one of the United States’ highest awards for heroism in combat operations.
Reputable historical profiles note that Perdomo had flown a limited number of combat missions by August 1945 compared with long-serving fighter pilots in earlier phases of the war. That context helps explain why his five-victory mission stood out so strongly within the group’s operational timeline.
The Aircraft: Why the P-47N Thunderbolt Mattered
Perdomo flew a P-47N Thunderbolt, a long-range variant designed for the Pacific theater. The “N” model was intended to travel farther than earlier Thunderbolt versions, using increased internal fuel capacity and external tanks—an important feature in a region where long stretches of ocean separated bases from mission areas.
The aircraft’s reputation came from a combination of durability, speed at altitude, and heavy armament for its class. In historical summaries of the 507th Fighter Group’s operations, the P-47’s ability to fly long missions from island bases is consistently emphasized as a key factor in late-war air operations.
Perdomo’s P-47N carried the nose art name “Lil Me’s Meat Chopper,” a detail widely repeated in museum writing and historical accounts of the August 13 mission.
Setting the Scene: August 1945 in the Pacific
By August 1945, the Pacific war was entering its final phase. Two atomic bombings had already occurred (Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9), and the Japanese government was in crisis deliberations. Still, military operations continued across the region as units awaited official surrender and orders to stand down. This overlap—political decision-making on one track and ongoing missions on another—is a well-documented feature of war’s final days.
The 507th Fighter Group, operating from Ie Shima near Okinawa, had flown many missions with limited aerial opposition in the weeks leading up to mid-August. Group histories note that heavy enemy fighter activity was not constant, which made the August 13 encounter unusually significant.
The Mission: A Fighter Sweep Over Korea
On August 13, 1945, a formation of P-47s from the 507th Fighter Group flew a long-range sweep that brought them toward Korea, near the area of Keijō—known today as Seoul. In the engagement that followed, American sources described encountering a larger number of Japanese aircraft than they had typically seen in prior weeks. Many retellings repeat a precise number of aircraft on each side, but the most responsible approach is to describe the encounter as a major engagement involving dozens of aircraft, which is consistent across reputable summaries.
Five Credited Victories and Wartime Identification
Perdomo received credit for five aerial victories during the August 13 engagement. Several reputable sources note that enemy aircraft types were initially reported one way in early records and later interpreted differently by historians. This kind of confusion is not unusual in wartime reporting, especially during fast aerial engagements where silhouettes, speed, and distance can lead to early misclassification.
What matters for historical verification is that multiple reputable sources converge on the same core conclusion: Perdomo’s five victories were credited and became the basis for his “ace in a day” recognition and his Distinguished Service Cross award.
Why “Ace in a Day” Is Rare
The “ace” threshold—five confirmed aerial victories—has long been used in many air forces, including U.S. forces during World War II. Achieving that number in a single day is uncommon because it requires a highly specific mix of conditions: contact with enemy aircraft, tactical positioning, reliable aircraft performance, and the ability to keep situational awareness under pressure.
Reputable historical sources consistently describe Perdomo as the last American in World War II to achieve this in a single day, which gives the mission additional historical significance beyond the five-victory total itself.
Recognition: Distinguished Service Cross and Unit Citation
Perdomo received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on August 13, 1945. Official citation text exists in reputable compilations of DSC recipients, and the date and unit information align across sources.
In addition to Perdomo’s individual decoration, historical accounts note that the 507th Fighter Group received major recognition for its performance in the same period, including a Presidential Unit Citation. Group histories and museum accounts connect this recognition to late-war combat operations, including the August 13 mission.
After World War II: Continued Service and Later Life
Perdomo’s story does not end in August 1945. Reputable military biography sources and museum collections note that he continued service after World War II and was later recalled during the Korean War period, remaining in the U.S. Air Force until the late 1950s.
Archival references also indicate preserved materials documenting his service and legacy, which helps confirm the reliability of his historical record.
A Story That Holds Up Without Exaggeration
It’s easy to see why social media versions of this story lean toward dramatic phrasing. The basic facts already carry intensity: a long-range mission, a rare air engagement late in the war, five credited victories, and a formal award citation.
But careful writing matters—especially for publication under modern ad and search policies. The most sustainable way to present the story is to focus on what the record supports:
Perdomo was a U.S. fighter pilot in the 507th Fighter Group.
On August 13, 1945, near Keijō/Seoul, he was credited with five aerial victories.
That made him an “ace in a day” and is widely described as the last such U.S. achievement of World War II.
He received the Distinguished Service Cross, and archival resources exist documenting his service and legacy.
Sources
National WWII Museum — “Oscar Perdomo: The Last Undisputed ‘Ace in a Day’”
Military Times, Hall of Valor — Oscar Perdomo recipient page and DSC entry
Texas State Historical Association — “Oscar Francis Perdomo: The Last Ace of World War II”
Home of Heroes — Distinguished Service Cross citation for Oscar F. Perdomo
Army Air Corps Museum — 507th Fighter Group historical summary
San Diego Air & Space Museum — “Oscar Perdomo Personal Papers” collection entry