The oldest living American Fighter Ace has died

[Recursion]

http://rare.us/story/the-countrys-oldest-living-american-fighter-ace-has-died/

Brig. Gen. Fritz Payne, the country’s oldest living American Fighter Ace, died Thursday at the age of 104. He had just celebrated his birthday on July 31.

Payne served as a pilot during World War II, where he earned the title of ace. The honor is reserved for those who have shot down at least five enemy planes during aerial combat in World War I, World War II, Korea, or Vietnam.

Of over 60,000 pilots who flew in those wars, only 1,447 were able to earn this title.

In May, Payne was given the Congressional Gold Medal, along with the other 77 remaining aces. Retired Air Force Gen. Charles Cleveland accepted the award on his behalf, as he was too ill to attend.

[malthaussen]

1. Something wrong with that headline.

Should be a "formerly" in there, or something.

-- Mal

[Snobblevitch]

2. Why? Once you make ace you're always an ace.

[malthaussen]

3. Um, once one is dead...

... he no longer qualifies as oldest living anything.

Unless you consider dead an age, in which case he's just as old as all the other dead aces.

-- Mal

[Snobblevitch]

4. That's why the headline ended with 'has died'.

[Blue_Tires]

5. I guess Yeager(!) is now the oldest?