- Born
- Died
- Birth nameDean S. Laird
- Nickname
- Diz
- Dean Laird was born on February 7, 1921 in Loomis, California, USA. He died on August 10, 2022 in Walnut Creek, California, USA.
- Earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his achievements.
- In 2022, at the age of 101, he went on a final flight in a historic Stearman biplane over his hometown of Auburn, California.
- Inly known U.S. Navy ace to shoot down both German and Japanese planes during World War II.
- During his service in the U.S. Navy he flew virtually every type of fighter and attack plane in the Navy inventory, logging more than 8,200 hours in 3,662 jets, 4,623 propeller aircraft, and 520 carrier landings.
- Entered naval service in January 1942, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and continued for 29 years until his retirement in 1971 as a Commander.
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