Navy Federal Credit Union

David Jolley served as a pilot during World War II, flying mainly out of Alaska. A member of the Utah Air National Guard, when the Korean War broke out he was called to active duty, and became a Korean War ACE, credited with shooting down SEVEN enemy MiG aircraft in aerial combat. He retired from the Utah Air National Guard in 1966 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing

    Action Date:

    May 4, 1952

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Clifford Dale Jolley (AFSN: AO-732008), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Jet Fighter of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea on 4 May 1952. Flying wingman in an element of F-86’s, two MiG’s were sighted and attacked. Affording superior support to his leader, hits were scored but destruction thwarted after the enemy reached the sanctuary of the Yalu. After breaking from this encounter, Captain Jolley became separated from his leader. Sweeping the area in an effort to re-group, he sighted two MiG’s below him. Unhesitatingly diving, he close on the trailing MiG. Receiving numerous hits the enemy dropped his airbrakes in an attempt to stall Captain Jolley’s deadly attack. Looping to avoid collision, he re-positioned and closed once again. Hits were scored on the fuselage and, as the pilot ejected, the MiG started to spin. The superlative airmanship and aggressive devotion to duty demonstrated on this occasion reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service. great credit upon himself, his comrades-in-arms of the United Nations and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    July 4, 1952

    Headquarters, Far East Air Force: General Orders No. 495 (September 29, 1952)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Clifford Dale Jolley (AFSN: AO-732008), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United Nations while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet Fighter-Bomber of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, on 4 July 1952 in Korea. Leading a flight of F-86s protecting friendly Fighter-Bombers in the Sakchu area, Captain Jolley sighted two MiGs and, positioning himself, damaged one of them before they escaped across the Yalu River. Later, Over Sinuiju, Captain Jolley was attacked by four MiGs, during which time he was wounded and his aircraft damaged. However, he regained control, destroyed one MiG that was attacking his wingman, and drove off another. A few minutes later, Captain Jolley damaged another MiG in a brief encounter. While proceeding out to sea he received a distress call from his wingman. Captain Jolley immediately made a 180 degree turn to his wingman’s aid despite the face that he was wounded, and his aircraft badly damaged and very low on fuel. Before overtaking his wingman he was advised the wingman had headed safely out to sea, so Captain Jolley returned to a friendly island, bailed out, and was rescued by friendly aircraft. As a direct result of his superlative airmanship and quick thinking, one MiG was destroyed, two MiGs critically damaged, and he diverted a fierce enemy attack on his wingman in the second encounter of the day. Through his heroic gallantry in action against determined enemy opposition, Captain Jolley reflected the highest credit upon himself and the military service. Great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing

    Action Date:

    October 11, 1952

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Clifford Dale Jolley (AFSN: AO-732008), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Jet Fighter of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea on 11 October 1952. Leading a flight of four F-86’s in the Sinuiju area at 34,000 feet he observed a flight of four MiG’s pass under his flight. Initiating immediate attack, Captain Jolley opened fire on the number four MiG at 1,200 feet range. He scored destructive hits on the enemy aircraft and the pilot ejected himself. Captain Jolley then flew cover for his wingman who was firing at the number three MiG and continued covering his wingman’s tail until the second MiG was destroyed. By his superior leadership and expert marksmanship, Captain Jolley destroyed one MiG on this occasion and covered his wingman in the destruction of a second one, reflecting great credit on himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing

    Action Date:

    Korean War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Clifford Dale Jolley (AFSN: AO-732008), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Jet Fighter of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing

    Action Date:

    August 7, 1952

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Clifford Dale Jolley (AFSN: AO-732008), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Jet Fighter of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, in Korea on 7 August 1952. As element leader in a flight of F-86’s on a fighter sweep west of Pyongyang, Captain Jolley observed twelve MiG’s in two flights, eight in one flight and four in the other. His flight leader chose to attack the smaller group and ordered Captain Jolley and his wingman to fly top cover. During the ensuing battle two MiG’s attacked his flight leader and as Captain Jolley spiraled down to assist he opened fire on the leading MiG observing strikes covering the enemy aircraft. The pilot immediately ejected at 30,000 feet as the aircraft went into a tight spin. Captain Jolley re-joined his wingman and as they turned left a lone MiG was sighted at 25,000 feet. He immediately executed an attack on the enemy aircraft closing to 1,000 feet and firing several short bursts. The MiG was critically damaged and the pilot ejected himself. On this mission Captain Jolley destroyed two MiG’s and saved his leader from damage and possible destruction. By the brilliant marksmanship, superlative airmanship and utter disregard for personal safety displayed by Captain Jolley on this occasion he has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.