Already well known in the U.S. Air Force as a MiG-killing ace in the Korean War, Winton Whittier “Bones” Marshall cemented his legendary status in the service in July 1953, with a quick-thinking stunt that saved a burning nuclear bomber.

Newly assigned as commander of the 15th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, Marshall was idling his F-86 fighter jet on the runway when a nearby B-47 bomber burst into flames. As the bomber’s crew ran for safety, Marshall taxied his small plane over to the burning aircraft and calmly blew out the fire with his jet exhaust.

Thanks to this action, he was named to the Strategic Air Command’s Heads-Up Club, one of many honors received in a distinguished Air Force career. They include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart and the Gallantry Cross. Earlier this year, as one of 75 surviving American fighter aces, Marshall was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of his achievements in the skies over Korea.

Marshall, 96, died Saturday in hospice at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu.

Marshall was a hero, leader, mentor and role model, said Ken DeHoff, executive director of the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor. “Bones was one of the last aces in the world,” DeHoff said. “He continued in a career where he inspired others to be their very best; he lived his life as an officer and a gentleman. We were honored to know him and work with him.”

Born in Detroit and raised in a Chicago suburb, Marshall enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces as a cadet in the spring of 1942. Earning his lieutenant bars and pilot wings within a year, he became a P-39 Airacobra instructor pilot and served the duration stationed in Las Vegas. As the war ended, Marshall transferred to a P-47 Thunderbolt outfit — the 36th Fighter Group — serving in Panama until 1947.

It was in Panama that Marshall earned the nickname “Bones,” recalled longtime friend Jack DeTour. “He was awfully skinny, and he was lying out in the sun and someone said, ‘Who’s that bag of bones?’ and it stuck,” said DeTour. “At least, that’s how I heard it.”

Moving to jet fighters, Marshall was assigned as an F-84 Thunderjet pilot and operations officer in Maine, and then in California. He finally entered combat over Korea as commander of the 335th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in May 1951. While leading “The Chiefs” over the next 10 months, Marshall flew more than 100 combat missions and scored 6-1/2 aerial victories over Russian pilots flying North Korean aircraft, becoming just the fifth jet-fighter ace of the conflict.

One particularly hairy mission on Nov. 30, 1951, earned Marshall the Silver Star. Leading a squadron of F-86 fighters, Marshall spotted a large enemy formation of fighters and bombers. Despite being outnumbered, Marshall led his Sabres in successful slashing attacks against the enemy. On his third pass, however, Marshall’s F-86 was slammed by Korean cannon fire, with one shell exploding off his headrest, shredding his parachute, blowing off his canopy and lacerating his face, head and back. Bleeding heavily and flying in sub-zero wind shear at hundreds of miles an hour, Marshall regained control of his fighter and rejoined the battle, later making a successful landing in his damaged aircraft. As the medal citation concluded, Marshall “continued to carry the offensive, and largely through his own inspiring leadership and heroic personal example, the enemy formation was completely disrupted. … This action of high personal courage reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.”

Released to stateside duty, Marshall commanded a number of fighter squadrons and also was the designated F-86 pilot in 1953 and the F-102 pilot in 1957 for the transcontinental Bendix air races. As the Cold War heated up in the late 1950s, Marshall commanded in France, West Germany, Italy and the Pentagon, developing tactics and strategy. As vice commander of 7th Air Force at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Marshall was back in combat in 1971, flying 88 missions over Vietnam in a wide variety of aircraft.

On a nighttime mission, while observing in the cargo bay of an AC-130, he was knocked unconscious during violent maneuvers. “So one of the sergeants stumbles over me and says, ‘Oh, my God! Gen. Marshall has been killed!’” recalled Marshall in a 2010 interview. “So the commander of that AC-130 calls the base and said, ‘Get the ambulances out. Marshall’s been (killed)!’ They called the Pentagon. I was really banged up. … It was mostly bruises, but things like that kept happening and I kept coming out all right.”

Following his Vietnam tour, Marshall served with Pacific Air Forces as vice commander at Hickam Air Force Base until 1975. His last Air Force assignment was as deputy commander in chief of U.S. Readiness Command at MacDill AFB, Fla. He retired on Sept. 1, 1977, as a lieutenant general.

Marshall’s second career was as a representative for Hughes Aircraft, stationed in Bangkok.

In the 1980s, Marshall and his family moved permanently to Hawaii, settling in the Waialae Iki neighborhood of Oahu. Marshall kept busy organizing Air Force events, including a major Korean War symposium in 2001 — an event he almost missed after being beaten unconscious during a mugging at Ala Moana Center. Due to his injuries, he was never able to remember details of the assault, and the Honolulu Police Department dropped the case.

Marshall enjoyed painting, gardening, driving his beloved Porsche Boxster and trading aviation stories with friends in Honolulu. He was an active member of American Fighter Aces Association, the Order of Daedalians, the Order of Quiet Birdmen, the Porsche Club and the Outrigger Canoe Club.

The Marshalls eventually became residents of the Kahala Nui retirement home. Marshall, riding a cheerfully decorated motorized chair — including a waving American flag — became a fixture at meals and functions.

After a visit to Korea this summer to be honored by the Korean Air Force, Marshall suffered a fall and was admitted to Tripler Army Medical Center, where his internal injuries were deemed too extensive for recovery.

“I have lost a very dear friend and the United States has lost a great patriot,” said DeTour. “He will be missed, but will live on in my memories.”

Marshall and his wife, Mildred — also a pilot — were married for more than seven decades. “Millie” Marshall was a WASP — Woman’s Air Service Pilot — during World War II and was herself awarded a Congressional Gold Medal for her service.

Marshall is survived by wife Mildred Elnora Taylor Marshall, daughter Patricia Marshall Gregory, granddaughters Katherine Gregory Newman and Jacelyn Gregory Locke, and great-granddaughter Margaret Maclaine Newman. He was preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey.

Service details are not yet set. Marshall will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.