Ernest Ambort Sr. (1922–1981)

A native of Little Rock (Pulaski County), Ernest Ambort Sr. served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and became an ace by shooting down five enemy aircraft. He later served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and in the Arkansas Air National Guard, receiving two Distinguished Flying Crosses, among other honors.

Ernest Julian Ambort was born on November 7, 1922, in Little Rock to Louis Ambort and Josephine Ambort. He had an older brother, Louis, who also served in the military during World War II. Graduating from Catholic High School in 1940, Ambort worked odd jobs for two years while pursuing coursework to prepare for pilot training. On September 17, 1942, Ambort joined the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet. His enlistment form reported that he had completed four years of high school, was single, and worked as a salesman.

After undergoing training at various sites across the country, Ambort received his wings on January 7, 1944, at Williams Field in Maricopa County, Arizona. Assigned to the Ninth Fighter Squadron, part of the Forty-Ninth Fighter Group, Ambort reported for duty in the Dutch East Indies in September 1944.

Now part of Indonesia, the resource-rich area fell under Japanese control in early 1942. With Ambort flying a P-38 Lightning, a twin-tailed single-seat fighter, the unit engaged enemy forces in the Western New Guinea Campaign. The unit moved to the Philippines the following month to support Allied landings and attacked enemy ships in the area. Ambort shot down his first enemy aircraft that same month. After the conclusion of the war, the unit moved to the Japanese home islands and saw service in the Tokyo area.

During his service with the unit, Ambort shot down a total of five enemy planes, earning the title of ace. All of his shootdowns occurred within a thirty-seven-day period from October to December 1944. He also received credit for three probable destroyed aircraft, two ground kills, and one sunk enemy transport ship. In recognition of his actions, he received two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He also received the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Bronze Star. He concluded his active service with the rank of first lieutenant.

Demobilized from active duty on February 3, 1946, Ambort began serving with the Arkansas National Guard as a member of the 154^th Fighter Squadron. In the 1950 federal census, Ambort appeared with his wife, Kathryn, and their two-year old son, Ernest Jr., along with infant daughter Beverly. Ambort worked as a salesman for a monument company.

Re-called to active service in the Korean War, Ambort served with the 6147^th Tactical Control Group of the United States Air Force. In this role, he helped create an effective forward air controller system to help jets accurately attack ground targets and support friendly troops engaged with the enemy. Ambort and his comrades flew slow propellor-powered aircraft over enemy units to direct attack aircraft. Serving in Korea from 1951 to 1952, he remained in active service until the end of the conflict the following year. Ambort retired from the Air National Guard in 1966 with the rank of major.

In his civilian life, Ambort served as the president of the Ambort Medical Company, a pharmaceutical supply business. Ambort died in Little Rock on November 17, 1981, and is buried in the Little Rock National Cemetery. Kathryn Ambort died on April 4, 2021, and is buried with Ambort in the Little Rock National Cemetery. In 2018, Ernest Ambort was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame.

For additional information:
“Ernest Ambort.” Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame, Arkansas Aviation Historical Society. https://arkavhs.com/index.php/hall-of-fame/2018-inductees/ernest-ambort/ (accessed April 29, 2025).

“Ernest Julian Ambort.” Arkansas Gazette, Obituary, November 18, 1981, p. 28.

Oman, Noel. “Pilot-Examiner Pioneer among 4 New to Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, October 15, 2018. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/oct/15/pilot-examiner-pioneer-among-4-new-to-a/ (accessed April 29, 2025).

David Sesser
Southeastern Louisiana University