[Shawn 507]

I'll go with the boyhood hero, Boyington despite what he says about heroes. However, anyone who got into a cockpit for the Allied cause and downed 5 or more is worthy of my respect. Heck even the guy who never got one deserves a nod.

[Ara1]

Originally Posted by TopHat

Pappy Boyington.


I was just going to express dismay that no one listed an Ace with salty wings...then I noticed Ara1 did...

O'Hare and Thach did a cut up job on the Japanese in May of 1942. O'Hare got five Bettys (in something close to ten minutes) while defending his carrier, the USS Lexington. Making this more incredible is the fact that O'Hare's wingman had to drop off due to his guns not working.

[Tundra04]

Clarence "Bud" Anderson...'nuff said

From: Bud Anderson's P-51 Mustang "Old Crow" Web Page

[Tundra04]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

I'll go with the boyhood hero, Boyington despite what he says about heroes. However, anyone who got into a cockpit for the Allied cause and downed 5 or more is worthy of my respect. Heck even the guy who never got one deserves a nod.

Shawn, I think you've summed it up quite nicely...

[skydriver]

I am going to have to say my favorite WWII Ace is "The Unknown American Ace". I am sure there are many men who had become Aces, but because some of the kills could not be confirmed, they were never formally bestowed that hallowed title.

In any case, I feel it was because of those many many men who were credited with only 2.5, 3, or 4 kills and did as good a job as the men credited with 5, 10, 28, 37, or even 40 kills that made America the nation it is.

The same feeling goes for the man who faught in the foxhole as well as the man fighting on the ship.

[JustPlaneNuttz]

I'm going to have to say mine is a predictable and very obvious choice -- Douglas Bader, DFC, DSO. Reading about his exploits in "Reach for the Sky" as I was growing up impacted me greatly. Albeit the reason for his 'legless' condition was brought on by himself through his cocky need to show-off, he certainly was able to overcome his adversity, eventually becoming an ace with 22 victories and a high respect from his colleagues on 'the other side'. Today, I still watch the movie with Kenneth Moore and it still stirs the imagination within.






JPN

[aeroeng]

Greg Boyington

[Cavtanker]

My grandfather, but he only had 3 confirmed and 3 probables. So...I guess he's not really an ace by the terms of common aviation vernacular, but he was an ace to me.

[skydriver]

Originally Posted by Cavtanker

My grandfather, but he only had 3 confirmed and 3 probables. So...I guess he's not really an ace by the terms of common aviation vernacular, but he was an ace to me.

Cav, your grandfather WAS an ace. And I for one thank him for his service.

[Cavtanker]

Originally Posted by skydriver

Cav, your grandfather WAS an ace. And I for one thank him for his service.

Alas, he is not listed on official records for being an ace.