Legendary Alabama fighter pilot awarded Congress’s highest honor

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May 20, 2015

Ace Fighter Lt. Gen Charles "Chick" Cleveland, recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal — Ace Fighter Lt. Gen Charles “Chick” Cleveland, recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal

WASHINGTON — America’s “Ace” fighter pilots on Wednesday were honored with the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. To be considered an “Ace” pilot, you must have shot down at least five enemy aircraft in combat. There are currently only 77 “Aces” still living, and one of them is a legendary man from Montgomery named Lt. Gen. Charles “Chick” Cleveland.

Lt. Gen. Cleveland earned his “Ace” while serving as a fighter pilot in the Korean War, fighting in the dangerous area known as “MiG Alley,” the area where North Korean pilots flew Soviet-supplied MiG aircraft.

After his service in Korea, Lt. Gen. Cleveland went on to a distinguished and decorated career as an aviator and combat instructor, finally serving as commander of Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base from 1980-1984. Now 87, Lt. Gen. Cleveland is now retired to Montgomery and serves as president of the American Fighter Aces Association and has worked to gather all the living “Fighter Aces” for Wednesday’s Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony.

Of the 77 “Aces” still living, more than 35 are expected to attend Wednesday’s ceremony.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor awarded by Congress. It and the Presidential Medal of Freedom are the highest honors awarded to civilians. Every group or individual honoree has its own medal designed and cast for them by the U.S. Mint. The bill bestowing the “Fighter Aces” with the honor was passed a year ago.

Congresswoman Martha Roby (R-AL2), who helped guide the bill through the process, said she is honored to award Lt. Gen. Cleveland and the other “Aces” the Medal Wednesday.

“Gen. Cleveland is an American hero, but he’s also our Montgomery hero,” Rep. Roby said. “Gen. Cleveland has an incredibly distinguished service record, which is evidenced by his distinction as the ‘best of the best’ fighter pilots.

“But, his command of Air University and subsequent support of Maxwell even to this day is what makes him such an important part of the Montgomery community.”