John Francis Perry washed out of Army Air Force flight school, and assumed the name of a San Diego State classmate to enlist in the Navy as “Edwin Stanley Conant.” After earning his wings, he resigned to serve with the AVG in China before U.S. entry into the war, then rejoined the Navy as a fighter pilot. He became a World War II Navy ACE, credited with shooting down seven enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He also served as a helicopter pilot in Korea, and in 1954 was acquitted in a Court Martial when his name deception was uncovered. For his awards see: EDWIN STANLEY CONANT.