Fleming, Patrick Dawson
Person · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
American test pilot, flew numerous test aircraft at Edwards AFB until killed in first crash of a B-52.
Fleming was the fourth-ranked US Navy Ace of World War II, credited with 19 air-to-air victories in the Pacific, finally being shot down over Tokyo two days before the war's end. He was awarded of the Navy Cross and five Air Medals. He transferred to the Army Air Corps, then became a test pilot when the Air Corps became the Air Force in 1947, participating in numerous test projects at Edwards Air Force Base, until dying in the first crash of a B-52.