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Commander Dean "Diz" Laird is the only U.S. Navy "ace" pilot to have shot down enemy aircraft in both the European and Pacific Theaters of World War II. On 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. His landing gear did not work and Laird landed the plane skidding on its bottom across the runway of the aircraft carrier USS Essex.
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.
A special thanks to Matthew McConaughey for offering his voice for this story. We love working with anyone who shares our passion in keeping these stories alive.
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