This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Sgt Duane Kimbrow (Skip)
to remember
Asla, Felix, Jr., Maj.
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Casualty Info
Home Town La Grande
Last Address Kimpo AB, South Korea
Casualty Date Aug 01, 1952
Cause MIA-Finding of Death
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Land
Location Korea, North
Conflict Korean War
Location of Interment National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (VA) - Honolulu, Hawaii
In Korea, he was the pilot of a F-86 Sabrejet Fighter Bomber and the squadron commander of the 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (Rocketeers), 4th Fighter Interceptor Group. He had served in Korea for two tours.
On August 1, 1952, while on a combat mission over Sakchu, Korea, his flight of two F-86s was attacked by two MiGs. His aircraft was hit and lost a wing. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. Through interrogation of the Soviet pilot, MiG-15 ace Nikolai Ivanov, who shot Major Asla, it was determined that he had perished. Major Asla served as commander of the 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. Had shot down 4 MiGs prior to his loss and had completed 125 missions.
He left behind a wife and two children in Oregon.
Silver Star Citation
Awarded for actions during the Korean War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Felix Asla, Jr., United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United Nations as Flight Leader of four F-86 type aircraft, 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, on 1 April 1952. While Major Asla and his flight were engaging six MIG-15s, they were attacked by another enemy flight. His wingman sustained a direct hit which destroyed nearly half the left wing. Despite being constantly under direct fire, Major Asla protected his wingman by turning into every pass made against the crippled F-86 by pairs of MIG-15s and successfully countered every thrust, damaging two of the enemy aircraft. Even though he knew his fuel was insufficient for his return to base, Major Asla continued his protective tactics until his wingman could bail out in a safe area. He then climbed to thirty eight thousand feet, glided back to friendly territory, and made a successful air-start, landing with less than twenty gallons of fuel.
Through his selfless courage, skillful airmanship, and outstanding devotion to duty, Major Asla reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
General Orders: Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 278 (June 6, 1952) Action Date: 1-Apr-52
Service: Air Force
Rank: Major
Company: 336th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
Regiment: 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group
Division: 5th Air Force
