The Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation (SAAHF) announced on Thursday the passing of its founding board member Stephen Bonner.
Bonner, 103, passed away early morning on Wednesday in Carlinville, U.S. state of Illinois. "We will never forget this remarkable Flying Tiger Hero," said SAAHF.
American volunteer pilots fighting Japanese troops in China during World War II (WWII) are better known as the Flying Tigers.
Bonner had served as a Flying Tiger who flew with the 14th Air Force as a member of the 23rd Fighter Group's 76th Fighter Squadron against Japanese invaders in China during WWII, SAAHF told Xinhua.
Bonner was one of 48 Flying Tigers veterans who were made Honorary Citizens of the City of Kunming on one of the foundation's commemorative trips back to China, according to SAAHF.
Additionally, Bonner was one of several American Fighter aces who were honored in Washington D.C. with the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal.
He was the last living Fighter "Ace" who had flown in China during WWII, SAAHF said. "Ace" is the title given to a fighter pilot who shot down at least five enemy aircraft.
While flying both the P-40 Warhawk and the P-51 Mustang fighters from airfields at China's Hengyang and Suichuan during WWII, Bonner was credited with five confirmed and five probable aerial victories against the Japanese fighters and bombers. He was also credited with damaging at least two other Japanese aircraft.
