--- title: "This B-29 is the only bomber to become a jet ace" description: "The most notable of these was the B-29 named Command Decision, with a record five MiG-15 kills; the world's only bomber \"jet ace.\"" date: "2022-09-12" modified: "2024-04-10" authors: - name: "Miguel Ortiz" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/miguelortiz/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/this-b-29-is-the-only-bomber-to-become-a-jet-ace/" categories: - "Air Force" - "Aircraft" - "History" - "Korean War" - "Tactical" - "War History" --- # This B-29 is the only bomber to become a jet ace ![b-29 crew]() *\Capt. Donald M. Covic makes a “command decision” by flipping a coin, just like the artwork on his B-29 (U.S. Air Force)\* The beginning of the jet age toward the end of WWII was a huge change in military aviation. Fast and powerful jet fighters could now climb to the high altitudes that heavy bombers like the [Boeing B-29 Superfortress]() were thought to be safe at. Although the bombers could still fight back with their own guns, bombing raids in the next war would become even more dangerous. ![b-29 airmen]() **Airmen pose with the hole in* Command Decision*'s flap caused by a MiG-15's cannon (U.S. Air Force)** During the Korean War, the B-29 was initially employed in much the same way as it was during WWII. Large formations flew at high altitude on strategic daytime bombing runs. However, the B-29 quickly bombed itself out of a job as North Korea's few strategic targets and industries were destroyed in a short amount of time. Moreover, the [Soviet MiG-15 jet fighter]() posed a serious threat to the bomber formations. After the loss of 28 aircraft, B-29s were restricted to nighttime raids; primarily supply-interdiction missions. ![b-29 history]() *Command Decision*'s nose art depicting five MiG kills and 35 missions (U.S. Air Force)** The B-29 flew the duration of the Korean War, from 1950-1953. During that time, B-29s flew a total of 20,000 sorties and dropped 180,000 tons of bombs. Although 57 Superfortresses were lost to enemy action, B-29 gunners are credited with 27 enemy kills. The most notable of these was the B-29 named *Command Decision*, with a record five MiG-15 kills; the world's only bomber "jet ace." ![bomb bay]() **Guests can walk through the aircraft to view photos from* Command Decision*'s missions in the bomb bay (Miguel Ortiz)** To become an ace, a pilot must score five aerial kills. Although bomber crews are not officially recognized as aces for their aerial kills, unofficial counts are recorded by the individual crews. However, the Air Force does officially recognize *Command Decision*'s historic five jet kills. During the Korean War, *Command Decision* flew with the 28th Bomb Squadron, 19th Bomb Group. In addition to their five jet kills, the crew flew a total of 121 combat missions and dropped 2,500,000 millions pounds of bombs. ![command decision]() **The B-29* Command Decision *exhibit at the Air Force Museum (Miguel Ortiz)** According to the Air Force, the aircraft was named after a popular 1948 film about the difficult decisions and heavy casualties faced by bomber crews over Europe during WWII. Today, *Command Decision* and her crew are honored with a walk-through fuselage display in the [Korean War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force](). Although the fuselage is not the original *Command Decision*, it is painted to represent the famous aircraft. The exhibit does feature equipment from the original aircraft including its compass, altimeter, and sighting station. ## READ MORE ON WATM: [Mysterious ghost ships are still being found by the Navy and Coast Guard]() [The 5 most legendary snipers of all time]() ['Lone Survivor' Marcus Luttrell went 'John Wick' on the guys who killed his dog | We Are The Mighty]() ## Author Miguel Ortiz is a Senior Contributor for We Are The Mighty covering primarily military news and history with an emphasis on weapons technology. He is a former active duty Army officer and remains a member of the Army IRR. After commissioning through San Diego State University Army ROTC, Miguel served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He has written for We Are The Mighty since 2020, drawing from his passion for the military community and history. Miguel’s work has also been seen on Business Insider and The Blast. He remains an avid shooter, competing in local USPSA matches. Miguel’s other hobbies are traveling and watch collecting. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()