Legendary naval aviator and America’s first Vietnam War ace passes away after a distinguished military career
Randy “Duke” Cunningham, the first American ace of the Vietnam War and a legendary naval aviator, passed away on the afternoon of August 27, 2025, at the age of 83 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born December 8, 1941, in Los Angeles, Cunningham had been battling heart problems and other health issues over the past eight months, requiring multiple hospitalizations.
A Historic aviation partnership
Cunningham carved his name in aviation history as a retired U.S. Navy Commander and F-4 Phantom II pilot with Fighter Squadron 96 (VF-96). Flying alongside his Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) William “Irish” Driscoll, the duo became the first American aircrew to achieve ace status during the Vietnam conflict, marking a significant milestone since the Korean War.
Their partnership exemplified the crucial teamwork required in modern jet combat, where success depended on the seamless coordination between pilot and radar operator. Together, they demonstrated the lethal effectiveness of the F-4 Phantom II, the Navy’s premier fighter-bomber of the era.
Distinguished naval career
Cunningham dedicated two decades of his life to naval aviation, serving with distinction from 1966 to 1986. His service extended well beyond his combat achievements in Vietnam. Following the war, he became an instructor at the Navy’s elite Fighter Weapons School—better known to the world as TOPGUN—where he helped shape the next generation of naval aviators with hard-earned combat experience.
His leadership abilities were further recognized when he was appointed commanding officer of Fighter Squadron 126 (VF-126), a shore-based adversary squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Miramar, California. In this role, he oversaw training operations that prepared Navy and Marine Corps pilots for aerial combat against Soviet-bloc tactics and aircraft.
Championing recognition for all combat aircrew
In 2020, Cunningham assumed the presidency of the American Fighter Aces Association (AFAA), where he spearheaded a significant policy change. He proposed amending the organization’s definition of “ace” to include back-seat crew members—radar intercept officers, weapon systems officers, and navigators who played essential roles in achieving aerial victories.
This initiative reflected Cunningham’s deep-seated belief in recognizing all members of combat aircrews, a principle he had demonstrated decades earlier. When senior officers recommended him for the Medal of Honor following his fifth aerial victory in 1972, Cunningham’s response was immediate and unwavering: “Whatever I get, I want Willy to get, or I will not accept it.”
True to his word, both Cunningham and Driscoll received the Navy Cross, the Navy and Marine Corps’ second-highest decoration for valor, acknowledging their shared achievements as a combat team.
Legacy of valor and brotherhood
Cunningham’s story represents more than individual heroism—it embodies the brotherhood and mutual dependence that define military aviation. His insistence on shared recognition for his RIO highlighted the collaborative nature of modern air combat, where victory depends on the skills and dedication of entire crews rather than lone pilots.
His later work with the AFAA continued this theme, ensuring that the contributions of all aircrew members would be properly recognized by future generations. The policy change he championed means that hundreds of back-seat crew members who contributed to aerial victories throughout aviation history can now be acknowledged alongside the pilots they served with.
The end of an era
With Cunningham’s passing, the United States loses one of its most distinguished combat aviators and a passionate advocate for the history of military aviation. His death marks the end of an era, as the generation of Vietnam War aces continues to diminish. His legacy, however, lives on in the countless naval aviators who benefited from his instruction at TOPGUN and in the expanded recognition now accorded to all members of combat aircrews.
Randy “Duke” Cunningham’s life exemplified the finest traditions of naval aviation: exceptional skill in combat, dedication to training others, and an unwavering commitment to honoring the contributions of all who serve. His name will forever be linked with a pivotal period in American military aviation, when skill, courage, and teamwork combined to achieve victory in the skies over Southeast Asia.
Photo by U.S. Navy
