he disliked. Upon his return to operational duty in the Middle East, Wade reportedly said that this duty was more exhausting than air combat. He returned to combat as a flight commander in 145 Squadron with a bar to his DFC, flying Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vs. Promoted to squadron leader, he had a busy 60 days, as by the end of April his score was 21, by then flying Spitfire Mk IXs. His squadron moved to Italy, and as a Spitfire VIII pilot he claimed two Focke-Wulf Fw 190s of Schlachtgeschwader 4 on 2 October 1943. His last claims were three Fw 190s (again of SG 4) damaged on 3 November. Wade was promoted to wing commander and joined the staff of the Desert Air Force but was there only briefly, as he was killed in a flying accident on 12 January 1944 at Foggia, Italy. Wade was credited with 25 aerial victories and was the leading American fighter ace to serve exclusively in any foreign air force. Since he never transferred to the USAAF, or any other American air service, Wade didn't enjoy all of the publicity that some other American aces received and is often overlooked when discussing Historical American Aces. Honours and awards Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Pilot Officer Lance Wade (68717), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 33 Squadron. Citation for the award of Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross to Acting Flight Lieutenant Lance Wade (68717), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 33 Squadron. Citation for the award of a second Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross to Acting Squadron Leader Lance Wade (68717), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 145 Squadron. Citation for the award of the Distinguished Service Order to Wing Commander Lance Wade DFC (68717), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 33 Squadron. References External links Texas State Legislature bill honoring Lance Wade Commonwealth War Graves Commission 1916 births 1944 deaths Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents in Italy Royal Air Force personnel killed in World War II Companions of the Distinguished Service Order People from San Augustine County, Texas Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) Royal Air Force wing commanders American Royal Air Force pilots of World War II Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1944 Civilian Conservation Corps people Military personnel from Texas Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve personnel of