Richard Gomez Candelaria (July 14, 1922 – September 15, 2024) was an American flying ace in the 479th Fighter Group during World War II, who was credited with six aerial victories, including an Me 262.

[1] After graduating from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Fresno in February 1939, Candelaria passed preliminary entrance exams for the Air Force flying program.

He began his seven-month studies at the University of Southern California to meet the two-year college requirement within the U.S. Army Air Corps.

[1] During World War II, Candelaria enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Forces on January 22, 1943.

[1][2] On December 5, he was flying as wingman to the flight leader on a mission northwest of Berlin when his squadron encountered 80 Focke-Wulf Fw 190s that were attempting to attack a formation of B-24 Liberators.

Candelaria was taxiing for takeoff as a leader of his section when he got a call from the control tower informing him that his rear tire was flat.

The ground crew quickly appeared to put on a new one, but by the time he got airborne the rest of the flight element had departed earlier to rendezvous with the B-24s.

After several weeks of captivity, Candelaria and two British officers managed to overpower a German captain inspecting the farmhouse where they were being kept.

[3] During World War II, Candelaria was credited with destroying 6 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 1 probable.

Still alone, and completely ignoring the odds and personal danger, Captain Candelaria attacked approximately fifteen (15) hostile fighters.

Selecting the lead plane for his initial target, he shot it down in flames and then gallantly engaged the remaining aircraft until assistance arrived.

Captain Candelaria's courage, tenacity of purpose, and determination to destroy the enemy at any cost are borne out by the fact that during this action he shot down four (4) ME-109's, thus preventing serious damage being inflicted on the bombers.