[1] After the Japanese surrendered, his unit was moved into Manchuria, where the Chinese Communist People's Liberation Army (PLA) had set up its first pilot school.

[2] On 10 February 1952, US F-86 Sabre ace Major George Andrew Davis, Jr. was shot down by a MiG-15 during his 16th mission in the MiG Alley near Kunu-ri.

[7][8] Davis was the highest-ranking Korean War ace at the time, and he was posthumously celebrated as a hero and received the Medal of Honor.

[10] According to Zhang's own report after the battle, while the MiGs were en route to intercept Davis' group, he and his wingman became separated from the main element.

[11] In light of those findings and the testimonies from the ground troops that had witnessed the battle, Zhang was credited by the PVA air force with shooting down Davis' F-86.

[14] The lack of gun camera footage from the Chinese side meant Zhang's victory claim also hinged on his own recollection of the event.

[10] After declassifying their involvement in the Korean War 40 years later, Russian sources disputed Zhang's claim by raising the possibility that 1st Lieutenant Mikhail Akimovich Averin was the MiG pilot that had shot down Davis' plane.

[15] Lieutenant General Georgy Lobov, commander of the 64th Aviation Corps, also noted in his memoir that Davis was killed by a Soviet pilot.

[2] Immediately after the war, Zhang was sent to study at the Red Banner Air Force Academy in the Soviet Union and returned to China in 1957 after graduation.

In July 1990, the PLA Central Military Commission restored Zhang's position and allowed him to retire with a state pension.