Summary
- Richard Bong: USAAF major, P-38 Lightning operator, 40 Japanese aircraft downed.
- Captain David McCampbell: USN captain, F6F Hellcat operator, Ace of Aces, 34 aerial victories.
- Joseph C. McConnell Jr.: USAF captain, F-86 Sabre operator, 16 MiG-15s downed.
During numerous wars, these pilots ruled the skies with their respective aircraft, squads, and onboard combat equipment. Their extraordinary combat skills and high situational awareness earned them many aces and uncountable victories over their enemies. This article explores some of the best war pilots and their aircraft.
1
Richard “Dick” Ira Bong
Primary aircraft: Lockheed P-38 Lightning
- United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) major
- Born: September 24, 1920
- Years of service: 1941-1945
- Credited with shooting down 40 Japanese aircraft
- Died: August 6, 1945
Richard Bong was a USAAF major and the recipient of the Medal of Honor in World War II. Operator of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, Bong was credited with shooting down 40 Japanese aircraft during the Second World War. Bong was first assigned as an instructor pilot in Arizona.
His first operational assignment to the 49th Fighter Squadron (FS) earned him experience onboard the twin-engined Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Bong was later transferred to another Hamilton Field unit, the 84th Fighter Squadron of the 78th Fighter Group. Later, Bong was deployed to the Southwest Pacific Area.
Bong, along with a few other pilots helped new pilots convert from the P-40 Warhawk and P-39 Airacobra to the P-38 Lightning. Shortly after the war ended, Bong became one of the few Lockheed P-80 fighter jet test pilots. On August 6, 1945, Bong did while testing a P-80 jet.
2
Captain David McCampbell
Primary aircraft: F6F Hellcat
- United States Navy (USN) captain
- Born: January 16, 1910
- Years of service: 1933-1964
- Ace with 34 aerial victories
- Died: June 30, 1996
David McCampbell was a United States Navy captain who earned an all-time leading flying ace (Ace of the Aces in the Navy). He had 34 aerial victories under his belt, operating the F6F Hellcat. He became the highest-scoring American ace pilot to survive World War I and the third-highest-scoring ace of the war.
Awards and accomplishments
- Medal of Honor
- Navy Cross
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit with “V” device
- Distinguished Flying
- Cross (3)
- Air Medal (2)
The Medal of Honor recipient led numerous critical missions where his combat and situational awareness skills defeated his enemies. On October 24, 1944, during the battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines, McCampbell achieved a record of shooting down nine enemy aircraft in a single mission. The naval aviator retired from USN in 1964 after serving for 31 years. He died in June 1996.
3
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker
Primary aircraft: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
- United States Army Air Service (USAAS) pilot
- Born: October 8, 1890
- Years of service: 1933-1964
- Ace with 26 aerial victories
- Died: July 23, 1973
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker was the most successful and celebrated American fighter pilot in the First World War. The recipient of the Medal of Honor took an outspoken pro-British stance in 1940. Before the Pearl Harbor attacks, Rickenbacker participated in several campaigns rallying World War I veterans to the British cause.
Photo: Knumina Studios | Shutterstock
Awards and accomplishments
- Medal of Honor
- Distinguished Service
- Cross
- Medal for Merit
- Legion of Honour (France)
- Croix de Guerre (France)
As a long-time head of Eastern Airlines, Rickenbacker pledged the airline’s personnel and equipment for military missions. He also ensured that Eastern Airlines’ planes flew munitions and other military equipment across the Atlantic. He received several awards in France, including the Legion of Honour and Croix de Guerre.
4
Joseph Jacob Foss
Primary aircraft: Grumman F4F Wildcat
- United States Marine Corps (USMC) major
- Born: April 17, 1915
- Years of service: 1933-1964
- A leading Marine fighter ace in World War II
- Died: January 1, 2003
Joseph Jacob Foss was a USMC major credited with many aces during the Second World War. He received the Medal of Honor for his air combat role during the Guadalcanal Campaign. As a leading Marine fighter during World War II, Foss became known for his outstanding combat capabilities, both in day-fighting and night-fighting missions.
Awards and accomplishments
- Medal of Honor
- Distinguished Flying
- Cross
- Air Medal (3)
At the war’s end, Foss became an Air National Guard brigadier general. He also served as the 20th Governor of South Dakota for four years, between 1955 and 1959. Foss became the President of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) and the first commissioner of the American Football League. Foss died on January 1, 2003.
5
Joseph Christopher McConnell Jr.
Primary aircraft: North American F-86 Sabre
- United States Air Force (USAF) captain
- Born: January 30, 1922
- Years of service: 1933-1964
- Shot down 16 MiG-15s
- Died: August 25, 1954
Joseph Christopher McConnell Jr. was a USAF fighter pilot who became a top American flying ace during the Korean War. Captain McConnell primarily operated the North American F-86 Sabre and was credited with shooting down 16 MiG-15s.
McConnell began his combat career as a navigator. In September 1944, McConnell became a second lieutenant and received his navigator wings. As a navigator, McConnell flew 60 combat missions on Consolidated B-24 Liberator with the 448th Bomber Group in Europe.
Awards and accomplishments
- Distinguished Service
- Cross
- Silver Star
- Distinguished Flying
- Cross
- Air Medal (4)
Beginning his pilot training in 1946 with the Army Air Forces, McConnell finally received his pilot wings in February 1948. He served several fighter squadrons with the USAF before retiring in 1954.