Captain Arnold Everett “Vince” Vinson (1918-1943), of Monticello, Mississippi, served as commanding officer of the 2nd Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group, during World War II. He participated in aerial combat missions as a Spitfire pilot in the Mediterranean Theater.

On April 3, 1943, Captain Vinson was killed after his squadron encountered a group of German bombers while on patrol in Tunisia. He downed one German bomber, but minutes later, crashed to his death after his aircraft was downed by return fire. On this final mission, Vinson became a flying ace with a record of 5.33 victories against enemy aircraft.

Titled Vinson’s Fifth, this 2016 painting by Mississippi artist Marc Poole depicts Captain Vinson on that fateful combat mission. Flying above the Tunisian desert, Vinson’s aircraft is featured in the foreground as his final target, and fifth confirmed kill, dives toward the ground in flames.