The invention of aircraft in the 20th century paved the way for a new crucible of war. Suddenly, battles weren’t waged solely on land and sea. Warriors could now take to the skies as well. Over the last 120 years, some of them became notorious for their deadly airborne abilities. In this post, we’re highlighting 12 of history’s finest and most famous fighter pilots.
1. Manfred von Richthofen (The Red Baron)
Manfred von Richthofen, born on May 2, 1892, in Kleinburg, Prussia, became one of the most iconic fighter pilots of World War I. Flying his distinctive red Fokker triplane, he earned the nickname “The Red Baron.” Richthofen’s tactical prowess and leadership led to 80 confirmed aerial victories, making him one of the war’s highest-scoring aces, and a legend both during and after the war. Richthofen was eventually killed in action on April 21, 1918, at the age of 25.
2. Erich Hartmann
Erich Hartmann, born on April 19, 1922, in Weissach, Germany, is widely regarded as the most successful fighter pilot in the history of aerial combat. Serving in the Luftwaffe during World War II, Hartmann flew over 1400 combat missions and amassed 352 confirmed aerial victories. His exceptional flying skills and plane’s paint scheme earned him the nickname “The Black Devil” among Soviet pilots. After the war, Hartmann was turned over to Soviet forces and spent over 10 years in captivity before being released.
3. Chuck Yeager
Charles Elwood “Chuck” Yeager, born on February 13, 1923, was a pioneering American aviator, fighter ace, and air force officer. Yeager’s most famous achievement came on October 14, 1947, when he became the first human to break the sound barrier in level flight, flying the experimental Bell X-1 aircraft. His career included service as a fighter pilot in World War II and the Vietnam War, where he continued to distinguish himself with his exceptional flying skills and leadership. Yeager’s contributions to aviation earned him numerous awards and accolades, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest pilots of all time.
4. Eddie Rickenbacker
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, born on October 8, 1890, in Columbus, Ohio, was an American fighter ace during World War I. Rickenbacker initially gained fame as a race car driver before turning his attention to aviation. Serving as a fighter pilot in the famous 94th Aero Squadron, he scored 26 confirmed aerial victories, becoming America’s leading ace of the war. After the war, Rickenbacker pursued a successful career in aviation, eventually becoming the CEO of Eastern Air Lines.
5. James “Jimmy” Doolittle
James Harold Doolittle, born on December 14, 1896, in Alameda, California, was an American aviation pioneer, military general, and Medal of Honor recipient. Doolittle’s most famous exploit was leading the daring Doolittle Raid (named in his honor) on some of the Japanese main islands in April 1942, just months after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
6. Adolf Galland
Adolf Galland, born on March 19, 1912, in Westerholt, Germany, was a prominent figure in the German Luftwaffe during World War II. Galland distinguished himself as a skilled fighter pilot and leader, eventually rising to the rank of General der Jagdflieger (General of the Fighter Arm). Credited with 104 aerial victories, Galland was one of the Luftwaffe’s top aces and played a significant role in shaping German air tactics. After the war, the Argentinian Government employed him as a consultant for the country’s air force.
7. John Boyd
John Richard Boyd, born on January 23, 1927, in Erie, Pennsylvania, was an American fighter pilot, military strategist, and theorist. Boyd’s contributions to military strategy, particularly his development of the Energy-Maneuverability theory and the OODA loop concept, have had a profound influence on aerial combat and modern warfare.
8. Richard Bong
Richard Ira Bong, born on September 24, 1920, in Superior, Wisconsin, was an American fighter pilot, Medal of Honor recipient, and America’s leading ace of World War II. Bong achieved his impressive record of 40 confirmed aerial victories over Japanese planes flying the Lockheed P-38 Lightning in the Pacific Theater. His exceptional marksmanship and flying skills earned him the nickname “Ace of Aces.” After the war, Bong became a test pilot but tragically died in a plane crash while testing a jet aircraft on August 6, 1945, just days before the end of the war.
9. Robin Olds
Robin Olds, born on July 14, 1922, in Honolulu, Hawaii, was a highly decorated American fighter pilot who served in both World War II and the Vietnam War. Olds was known for his leadership and combat skills, as well as his distinctive handlebar mustache. He scored 17 aerial victories in total, and became a fighter wing commander in Vietnam. Olds retired from the Air Force as a brigadier general in 1973 and continued to be involved in aviation until his death in 2007.
10. Werner Mölders
Werner Mölders, born on March 18, 1913, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, was a German Luftwaffe pilot and the first aviator in history to achieve 100 aerial victories. Mölders rose to prominence during the Spanish Civil War and continued to excel as a fighter ace during World War II. His leadership and tactical innovations contributed to the success of the Luftwaffe in the early stages of the war. Mölders was killed as a passenger in a flying accident on November 22, 1941, at the age of 28, but his legacy as one of Germany’s greatest fighter pilots endures.
11. Saburo Sakai
Saburo Sakai, born on August 25, 1916, in Saga Prefecture, Japan, was one of Japan’s most renowned fighter pilots during World War II. Sakai achieved 28 confirmed aerial victories, although he claimed many more. He survived numerous combat encounters despite sustaining severe injuries, including being blinded in one eye. After the war, Sakai retired from the Navy, became a Buddhist, and vowed to never kill anything again.
12. Douglas Bader
Douglas Robert Steuart Bader, born on February 21, 1910, in London, England, was a British Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot and flying ace with 22 confirmed victories in World War II. Despite losing both legs in a flying accident in 1931, Bader overcame his disability and returned to active service as a fighter pilot. Bader was captured in 1941 by German forces after baling out over France. Interestingly, Adolf Galland (mentioned above) met and befriended him soon after. Despite numerous escape attempts, Bader remained a prisoner of war until April 1945.