Jeffrey S. Feinstein
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force

Jeffrey S. Feinstein enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1963 and attended the Academy's Prep School prior to entering the Academy in June 1964 with the Class of 1968. He graduated with a commission as a Second Lieutenant in June 1968 and then completed Undergraduate Navigator Training where he earned the rating of Navigator in May 1969.

On 16 April 1972, then-Captain Jeffrey S. Feinstein was serving as an F-4D Phantom Weapon Systems Officer in the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, during the Vietnam War.

On that date, Capt Feinstein participated in a flight of four F-4D Phantom tactical fighter planes providing air defense support for fighter-bombers in the vicinity of Hanoi, North Vietnam. When a flight of 2 hostile aircraft attempted to attack the formation, Capt Feinstein led his element against the hostile formation and shot down the 2nd aircraft. This courageous and aggressive attack, while faced with the constant threat of surface-to-air missiles, kept the hostile aircraft from attacking friendly aircraft. Capt Feinstein's superb skills and devotion to duty that day earned him the U.S. Air Force's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

On 31 May 1972, Capt Feinstein was element lead in a flight of four F-4D Phantom aircraft on a Combat Air Patrol mission in support of a strike force attacking vital targets in the vicinity of Kep Airfield, North Vietnam. During the mission, the flight provided protection for the strike force by engaging 11 hostile aircraft, and Capt Feinstein further gave immediate and direct support to the members of his own flight by engaging and shooting down a North Vietnamese MiG-21 that was attacking the lead element. Capt Feinstein's superb skills and devotion to duty that day earned him a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star Medal.

On 18 July 1972, Capt Feinstein led a flight of four F-4D Phantom tactical fighter aircraft on an air superiority mission in support of a strike force over North Vietnam. When a flight of hostile aircraft attacked the earlier air defense flight during its egress from the target area in a low fuel state, Capt Feinstein attacked both planes and shot down one of them after a high speed, extremely low altitude chase. Because of this selfless action, the earlier friendly flight egressed safely and the strike force was able to accomplish its mission unhindered by hostile aircraft. Capt Feinstein's superb skills and devotion to duty that day earned him a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star Medal.

On 29 July 1972, Capt Feinstein led a flight of four F-4 Phantom tactical fighter aircraft on a MiG Combat Air Patrol to protect strike aircraft attacking targets northeast of Hanoi, North Vietnam. While braving extremely heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Capt Feinstein not only provided protection for the strike aircraft but also successfully engaged and shot down one of the harassing hostile MiG aircraft. Capt Feinstein's superb skills and devotion to duty that day earned him a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star Medal.

On 13 October 1972, Capt Feinstein was engaged in combat action against the Paul Doumer Bridge, a major north-south transportation link on Hanoi's Red River in North Vietnam. While protecting a large strike force attacking the high priority target deep in hostile territory, Capt Feinstein engaged 2 enemy aircraft and destroyed one as they attacked the vulnerable chaff-dispensing flight. Having destroyed one of the aircraft and realizing that his wingman was coming under fire, Capt Feinstein continued his attack on the 2nd enemy plane. This courageous and aggressive maneuver negated the immediate threat to his wingman and caused the 2nd MiG-21 to flee the area in which he would constitute a threat to the strike forces. Capt Feinstein's extraordinary heroism and superb skills that day earned him the U.S. Air Force's second highest award for valor, the Air Force Cross.

Capt Feinstein was one of only 3 U.S. Air Force ACEs of the Vietnam War, along with fellow AFC recipients Captain Charles DeBellevue and Captain Steve Ritchie. Lieutenant Colonel Feinstein was the last member of the U.S. Air Force to achieve ACE status to the present.

After reassignment to the 9th Air Force staff at Shaw AFB, SC, in the 1990s, Feinstein served as Airborne Command Element Director aboard E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm from August 1990 to February 1991.

Feinstein retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel on 1 July 1996.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Air Force Cross
Silver Star Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor Device and Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Air Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Bronze Star
Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Korea Defense Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Longevity Service Award with Silver and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Command Pilot Badge
Navigator Badge
Parachutist Badge

Air Force Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Captain Jeffrey S. Feinstein, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4D Weapon Systems Officer in the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action against the Paul Doumer Bridge, a major north-south transportation link on Hanoi's Red River in North Vietnam, on 13 October 1972. On that date, while protecting a large strike force attacking a high priority target deep in hostile territory, Captain Feinstein engaged two enemy aircraft and destroyed one as they attacked the vulnerable chaff-dispensing flight. Having destroyed one of the aircraft and realizing that his wingman was coming under fire, Captain Feinstein continued his attack on the second enemy aircraft. This courageous and aggressive maneuver negated the immediate threat to his wingman and caused the second MiG-21 to flee the area in which he would constitute a threat to the strike forces. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Feinstein reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Silver Star Medal Citation (1st of 4 Awards)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Jeffrey S. Feinstein, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-4D Weapon Systems Officer in the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action over hostile territory in Southeast Asia, on 16 April 1972. On that date, Captain Feinstein, an F-4D Weapon System Officer, participated in a flight of four F-4D tactical fighter aircraft providing air defense support for fighter-bombers in the vicinity of Hanoi, North Vietnam. When a flight of two hostile aircraft attempted to attack the formation, Captain Feinstein led his element against the hostile formation and shot down the second aircraft. This courageous and aggressive attack, while faced with the constant threat of surface-to-air missiles, kept the hostile aircraft from attacking friendly aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Feinstein has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Silver Star Medal Citation (2nd of 4 Awards)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Jeffrey S. Feinstein, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-4D Weapon Systems Officer in the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 31 May 1972. On that date, Captain Feinstein, an F-4D Weapon Systems Officer, was element lead in a flight of four F-4D aircraft on a Combat Air Patrol mission in support of a strike force attacking vital targets in the vicinity of Kep Airfield, North Vietnam. During the mission, the flight provided protection for the strike force by engaging eleven hostile aircraft, and Captain Feinstein further gave immediate and direct support to the members of his own flight by engaging and shooting down a North Vietnamese MiG-21 that was attacking the lead element. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Feinstein has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Silver Star Medal Citation (3rd of 4 Awards)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain Jeffrey S. Feinstein, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-4D Weapon Systems Officer in the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia on 18 July 1972. On that date, Captain Feinstein, an F-4D Weapon Systems Officer, led a flight of four tactical fighter aircraft on an air superiority mission in support of a strike force over North Vietnam. When a flight of hostile aircraft attacked the earlier air defense flight during its egress from the target area in a low fuel state, Captain Feinstein, with complete disregard for his safety, attacked both and shot down one after a high speed, extremely low altitude chase. Because of this selfless action, the earlier friendly flight egressed safely and the strike force was able to accomplish its mission unhindered by hostile aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Captain Feinstein has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Silver Star Medal Citation (4th of 4 Awards)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Silver Star to Captain Jeffrey S. Feinstein, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an F-4D Weapon Systems Officer in the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, in action in Southeast Asia, on 29 July 1972. On that date, Captain Feinstein, an F-4D Weapon Systems Officer, led a flight of four F-4 tactical fighter aircraft on a MiG Combat Air Patrol to protect strike aircraft attacking targets northeast of Hanoi, North Vietnam. While braving extremely heavy and accurate anti-aircraft fire, Captain Feinstein not only provided protection for the strike aircraft but also successfully engaged and shot down one of the harassing hostile MiG aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Captain Feinstein reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Congressional Gold Medal

The Congressional Gold Medal, created by the U.S. Mint, is the highest civilian honor Congress can give on behalf of the American people. On 20 May 2015, leaders from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate presented the Congressional Gold Medal [see photo] to the American Fighter Aces Association at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Emancipation Hall.

More than 60,000 American fighter pilots engaged in aerial combat during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Of those pilots, only 1,447 earned the title of fighter “Ace” by downing at least five enemy aircraft. Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey S. Feinstein was one of them, having been credited with 5 aircraft shot down in aerial combat. At the time of the presentation of the Medal, only 75 of those Aces remained alive.