Herbert J. Valentine

Herbert James Valentine (September 12, 1917 – May 3, 1996) was a United States Marine Corps officer. He scored six aerial victories as a flying ace during World War II, and was the recipient of the Navy Cross for shooting five enemy planes down in one day.

Early life Herbert J. Valentine was born on September 12, 1917, in Seattle, Washington. While attending college, Valentine joined the Naval Aviation Cadet Program. In June 1942, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.

World War II Valentine's first duty station was in St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, where he spent one year flying anti-submarine patrols. In 1943, he joined Marine Fighting Squadron 312 (VMF-312) and was sent with his squadron to the Pacific Theater, where the squadron would take part in the battle of Okinawa.

A total of 42 enemy aircraft were downed on that day by Marine aviators, with VMF-312 claiming 16 of them. Captain Valentine became the last Marine to earn the title ace in a day during World War II and remains the most recent ace in a day for the Marine Corps.

Valentine was also awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses during the battle of Okinawa. After the battle, he was given command of Marine Nighter Fighter Squadron VMF(N)-542. He was discharged from the Marines in 1946.

On August 6, 1950, Master Sergeant Valentine became the first pilot of VMO-6 to be shot down. His OY-1 aircraft was shot down over the water and he was rescued by South Korean forces. Valentine's squadron launched an extensive search which failed to locate him, but he returned the day after he went missing. He was shot down a second time over enemy territory, but again he managed to evade capture and return to friendly lines. Valentine was awarded two more Distinguished Flying Crosses in Korea.

Post-Korean War Valentine was again commissioned in 1952, spending much of the remainder of his career flying helicopters. He retired as a major in 1965. Herbert J. Valentine died on May 3, 1996, in King County, Washington. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Seattle.