George Andrew Davis Jr.
George Andrew Davis Jr. (December 1, 1920 – February 10, 1952) was a highly decorated American fighter pilot who flew in World War II and the Korean War. Born in Dublin, Texas, he earned the nicknames Curly and One Burst for his hair and his precise shooting. He joined the Army Air Forces in 1942 and flew 266 missions in World War II, serving mainly in the Pacific. He shot down seven Japanese aircraft and earned the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and multiple Air Medals for his bravery and skill.
After World War II, Davis continued to serve in the newly formed United States Air Force. In the Korean War, he flew the F-86 Sabre and quickly became one of the war’s top American aces, ending with 14 confirmed victories in Korea (for a career total of 21). He led by example and was known for his aggressive, accurate shooting, earning the nickname “One Burst Davis.”
On November 27, 1951, he led a mission against a MiG-15 formation and received the Distinguished Service Cross for his brave leadership and combat actions. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1953 for his actions that day. Davis died on February 10, 1952, when his F-86 was shot down near the Yalu River in northwestern Korea; his body was recovered by Chinese forces.
Davis’s cenotaph is in the City of Lubbock Cemetery in Lubbock, Texas. He is remembered as one of the United States’ most accomplished fighter pilots, the ace of aces in his era, and a symbol of valor in air combat history.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 21:56 (CET).