possible due to the Air Corps' unique and massive 1942–1947 expansion from an auxiliary Army branch into a modern air service.) At Test Pilot School, the Floridian had arrived at a critical juncture that would change the rest of his life. Finding himself scholastically unprepared for the academic challenge (the TPS curriculum had just begun to emphasize aerospace engineering), Fernandez decided to cheat on one of the entrance requirements, a calculus research project, and got caught. This act sank his future with the Air Force permanently. Pete served as an Air Force Recruiter at Coral Gables, Florida, and then Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, from April 1957 to January 1960. After completing Spanish Language School, he was then sent in August 1960 to Buenos Aires, Argentina as an advisor to the Argentine Air Force. He retired with the rank of major upon reaching twenty years' service on July 1, 1963. Death Fernandez died in a plane crash on October 18, 1980. He received obituaries in the Miami Herald and The New York Times, both of which mentioned widespread rumors that held he had been flying classified missions in central and south America for the CIA after his retirement from the U.S. Air Force. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Awards and decorations His decorations include: Distinguished Service Cross citation Citation: See also List of Korean War air aces Hispanics in the United States Air Force Notes References Government records Drug Enforcement Administration investigative file #GFZE-80-9072 pertaining to Manuel John Fernandez, Jr. File was obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. General Accounting Office. "DEA is Not Protecting National Security Information", GAO/IMTEC-92-31. February 19, 1992. Military records "Operations in MiG Alley," 4th Fighter Interceptor Group, Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA), microfilm roll #MO288. "History of the 334th Fighter Interceptor Squadron," History of the Fourth November 1952, AFHRA, microfilm roll #MO287. Far East Air Forces, General Order No. 244, May 21, 1953, AFHRA, microfilm roll #32076. FEAF Intelligence Roundup, September 1952– May 1953, AFHRA, microfilm roll #K7398. Magazine articles Farmer, James H. "The Hunters." Air Classics, June 1988. Davis, Larry. "The Unknown Ace." Sabre Jet Classics, Summer 2004. Kusama, Maria. "Report From Manchuria: Russians Did Fight In Korea." U.S. News & World Report, December 31, 1954. Schiller, Gerald. "Air Force Maverick." Aviation History, November 2006. Zampini, Diego. "Clash of Titans Over Korea." Aviation History, November 2005. Newspaper articles Books