The above list of aces is in no means a list of only "good" pilots. Many great pilots did not get their "5" aerial kills (victories) to become aces. Depending on where they were stationed, some did not have the opportunity to mixed it up with the enemy often. Also keep in mind that this list only has P-51 Mustang aces - all victories came at the controls of a P-51. Many "a good pilot" are not on this list because they were flying something different during the war. There are web sites that will list all the aces of World War II, check out links section if you are interested.

We at MustangsMustangs.com would like to thank all pilots of WWII who fought for our freedom. Just because a pilot's name is not on this list does not mean that he was not vital to the success of the USAAF. Keeping the enemy away from the bombers helped win the war - no doubt.

Many acts of bravery and heroism were performed by mustang pilots. Some include landing in enemy territory (in a field) and picking up a downed pilot, putting him on the pilot's lap and somehow, flying home! Maj. Pierce W. McKennon made it home this way once. Two men in a one man cockpit was no easy act to perform. This was done more than a few times too.

In some theatres of operation, the mustang pilots did not have the opportunity to engage a large number of enemy aircraft as they did in Europe. Although later in the ETO when the Luftwaffe would not come out to play so easily, mustang pilots had to be very aggressive to confront the enemy pilots. The best way to try and understand what these brave young men went through is to read some of their books. You will find that most consider themselves ordinary guys asked to perform extra-ordinary tasks ... ... and they did!

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