The National Museum of the USAF’s newest aircraft Douglas A-1H Skyraider BuNo 134600, was unveiled during a recent ceremony at the Dayton, Ohio’s Southeast Asia War Gallery

The aircraft has been modified and painted to represent A-1H 52-139738 The Proud American as flown by Capt Ron Smith during the ‘Oyster 01B’ rescue mission of a downed F-4 Phantom crewman near a North Vietnamese airfield in June 1972. Smith was later awarded the Air Force Cross for his efforts. The Proud American was also flown by Lt Col William Jones during his 1968 Medal of Honor mission – it eventually became the last A-1 lost in combat in Southeast Asia, in September 1972.

The 18-month restoration was funded through a partnership between the Air Force Museum Foundation and the A-1 Skyraider Association. Curator Bryan Carnes said: “This aircraft will continue to inspire generations of museum visitors as a symbol of the air force’s promise that no airmen will be left behind.”