Elite fighter pilots earn Congressional Gold Medal; American Fighter Aces honored at Capitol

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, left, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., second from left, and Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, right, greet retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Charles Cleveland, as they award Cleveland a Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of the American Fighter Aces', Wednesday, May 20, 2015, during a ceremony at Emancipation Hall on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (The Associated Press)

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., is kissed on the hand by Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, right, as they arrive for a ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal to the American Fighter Aces for their service to warfare aviation, Wednesday, May 20, 2015, on Capitol Hill in Washington. From left are, House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (The Associated Press)

Rand Smith, left, of Mooresville, N.C., helps his father Fighter Ace Air Force Brigadier Gen. Leslie Smith, 96, of Walnut Creek, Calif., to stand with help from Smith's caregiver Taehee Cho, during a prayer at a ceremony awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the American Fighter Aces, Wednesday, May 20, 2015, on Capitol Hill in Washington. At right is Fighter Ace, retired Army Air Force Captain Clayton Kelly Gross, of Sparks, Nev. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (The Associated Press)

Air Force Lt. Gen. Charles "Chick" Cleveland flew 145 combat missions in Korea and Vietnam, shooting down at least five planes during a career in which he logged more than 4,500 flying hours.

The 87-year-old Cleveland is one of only 1,447 U.S. pilots designated as American Fighter Aces, a title reserved for those who shot down at least five enemy aircraft in aerial combat during World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam.

As president of the American Fighter Aces Association, Cleveland accepted another honor Wednesday on behalf of himself and the 76 other living members: the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress' highest civilian award.

"If there's an elite among fighter pilots, it's these men," Cleveland told a crowd of about 500 people at a Capitol ceremony that included about three dozen members of the elite fighter group.

The Fighter Aces "helped shorten the wars and saved lives," said Cleveland, of Montgomery, Ala. "These men are disappearing but must not be forgotten."

House Speaker John Boehner said the daring missions flown by the Fighter Aces "changed the course of American-fought wars throughout modern history. These Fighter Aces risked it all to defend freedom and democracy around the world."

Boehner, R-Ohio, was among several congressional leaders to speak at Wednesday's ceremony.

"We are the land of the free because of our fighter aces," said Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, a former fighter pilot who flew 87 combat missions in Korea and Vietnam. "I cannot think of a more appropriate way to honor their heroism than with the Congressional Gold Medal."

Air Force Brig. Gen. Frank Gailer Jr., a World War II Fighter Ace, served as wingman for famed pilot Chuck Yeager. Gailer, 91, of San Antonio, called the ceremony "fabulous" and said he accepted the gold medal on behalf of himself and those who did not live to see it awarded.

Cleveland engaged in a little politics during his speech. While Congress may have a low approval rating among the American people, "I guarantee that the approval rating for Congress among the Aces is sky high," he said to applause and laughter.

Another mission accomplished.

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