Colonel James B. Morehead a retired WWII veteran, who stalked enemy planes like animals of prey, died at 95 from stroke complications.
Morehead led eight P-40 Warhawks on April 25, 1942 on an attack of Japanese bombers and fighters, over Darwin, Australia. He shot down three Japanese planes and the rest of his squad shot down eight more before he ordered the return back to base reported The New York Times.
On D-day Morehead shot down his eight and final plane in WWII, a German Messerschmitt, over Romania reported The New York Times.
According to The Washington Post, Morehead was awarded twice with the Distinguished Service Cross, which is one step below the Medal of Honor, along with other medals for his many victories and bravery in the air.
Morehead was born in Paoli, Okla., on Aug. 16, 1916 and raised in Washington, Okla. His father owned a small farm and the general store in town reported The New York Times. Growing up in the middle of the Great Depression Morehead learned to hunt for his families food.
Morehead move to California, where he joined the Army Air Corps in 1940. His crazy stunts while in the cockpit, including flighing from Novato, Calif. to Sacramento upside down, earned him the nickname "wildman" reported The New York Times.
After retiring for his desk job at the Pentagon in 1967, Morehead continued to stalk his prey, in big-game-hunting. According to The Washington Post, he displayed his many big-game trophies around his home, like the hippo skull that he kept in his front yard.
Morehead left behind two daughters from his second marriage and two grandchildren reported The New York Times.
