Ernest Shipman (pilot)

Maj Ernest Shipman U.S. Army Air Force (April 6, 1923 - ) from Saginaw, Michigan was an American World War II Ace pilot who shot down seven aircraft in the Mediterranean theatre of World War II.

Career
On May 5, 1944, Shipman shot down his first enemy aircraft: an Italian Air Force Fiat G50 over Ploesti, Romania. On June 13, 1944, he shot down a Me-210 twin engine over Landshut, Austria. He shot down several more planes in June and July 1944, and reached Ace status on July 21, 1944, when he destroyed an Bf 109 over Budapest. Shipman was flying a P-51 when he was shot down on July 30, 1944, Budapest by a P-38 and captured. He became a prisoner of was until the end of World War II.

After the war he earned a Bachelor's degree (1948) and Master's degree from Columbia College, New York (1950). Shipman stayed in service with the New York Air National Guard until he retired as a Major in 1957.

Awards

 * Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 oak leaf clusters
 * Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters (2 silver, 1 bronze)
 * American Campaign Medal
 * American Defense Medal
 * Armed Forces Reserve Medal
 * Congressional Gold Medal (2015)
 * Distinguished Flying Cross
 * National Defense Service Medal
 * Prisoner of War Medal
 * Silver Star
 * World War II Victory Medal
 * Air Force Commendation Medal
 * European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 bronze stars