On May 15, 1952, Lt. James Kasler of the 335th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Fourth Fighter Interceptor Wing, became the 15th jet ace of the US Air Force by shooting down a pair of MiG 15s over Antung Airbase, in China. Sliding in behind his first kill, Kasler opened fire from 1200 yards and ruptured the MiG's main fuel tank just behind the cockpit. He went on to claim one more kill later in the war to bring his total to six confirmed victories.

It should be noted that of three MiGs lost over Antung that day, one of them was flown by the son of Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mao Tse-Tung. It is a 66% probability that Kasler was responsible for it's destruction.

As a B-29 tailgunner in WWII, a jet ace in Korea, and an F-105 driver in Vietnam, James Kasler is the epitome of service to his country. On his 91st mission in Vietnam, he was shot down while covering his downed wingman and went on to spend several years in the Hanoi Hilton at great physical cost. For his unparalled demonstrations of valor, Col. Kasler has earned three Air Force Crosses, the second highest award the USAF can bestow.