Antonín Fajkus
Antonín Fajkus | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 December 1923  Lipov |
| Died | 5 February 2025 (aged 101) |
| Occupation | Fighter pilot |
| Branch | United States Army Air Corps |
Antonín Fajkus (December 4, 1923 – February 5, 2025) was an American World War II fighter pilot who was born in Czechoslovakia.[1][2] He was born in Lipov, Moravia, in then Czechoslovakia. His family immigrated in the 1930s to Chicago, where notable Czech minority settles. During World War II, he served as a volunteer in the American army serving in the 40th Fighter Squadron, known as the "Red Devils,". He fought against the Japanese in the Pacific completing 190 operational flights, totaling over 500 combat hours, and was awarded the U.S. Air Medal six times. Eventually in the 1940s, he obtained American citizenship.
Historian Jiří Klůc uncovered Fajkus's story, leading to a surge of recognition, including over 900 birthday cards for his 101st birthday, with greetings from Czech President Petr Pavel and his wife. He died on February 5, 2025, at the age of 101.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ "101-year-old U.S. WWII fighter pilot overwhelmed by birthday cards from his Czech hometown". Chicago Sun-Times. January 26, 2025.
- ^ "Historian on forgotten WWII heroes: I feel compelled to tell their life stories". Czech Radio. January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Last Czechoslovak fighter pilot Antonín Fajkus dies at 101". Czech Radio. February 7, 2025.
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