OK…I know we can all get a bit fed up with polls, but I had to do this one.
Who was the greatest fighter pilot???
Now lets not just Say Hartmann because he had the most kills…boring…
Info…info…
For me it had to be Adolf Galland…I met the guy before his demise and I have to say, he was one of the coolest men I ever had the pleasure of talking to. Not at all reticent about talking the old days…especially for a German. Saw it as duty…as those of us who have military experience understand…
Anyway…interesting to see what you guys come up with
I would have to say my friend LtCol Richard “Dick” Hewitt" He flew w/ the famed 78th FG ,82FS (P-47 & P-51). Even thou he had only nine kills to his name and yes one Me-262, he is the most down to earth person that I have ever talked to. I am just impressed how he said that he was only doing his duty…!!! Now that makes a good fighter pilot…!!!
Overall he takes his time to talk to the younger generations about his role in WWII.
Well ok he to is from my neck of the woods. Born and raised just outside of Niagara Falls in Lewiston NY. Flaps up, Mike
C’mon guys… it HAS to be Chuck Yeager. He flew in combat in WW2 & Korea, was the first to break the sound barrier, was a test pilot for years, and, I believe, he flew an F15 (or was it an 18?) through the sound barrier within the last 6 months.
I think you have to look at more than just “kills” - this man contributed to aviation, and, I would also bet he had a strong influence on the USAF and aircraft development in general. I was once asked at a party who I would most enjoy having supper with - he’s my vote.
My choice is a tossup between Richard Bong and Erich Hartmann. Both are exceptional pilots and have great combat skills. I think they are the greatest…
Dave W.
I choose my friend Lt. Col. Henry Bourgeois USMC. Henry (a.k.a. Boo) flew with VMF-214 during Boyington’s first tour with the Black Sheep. Henry was not an ace. The reason I picked him is because he escaped being shot down by a Zeke, crash landed in a lagoon, and slept with the Chief’s daughter (what could he do, the Chief offered her up), and lived to tell about it. All on the same mission. I think Boo’s the luckiest fighter pilot ever. He’s my hero! [;)]
I’ll offer you up another one. John Bolt, USMC. John flew two tours with Boyington. He was an ace in World War II and Korea. I believe he is also the leading Marine jet ace flying the F-86. You will not find a finer fighter pilot.
All the pilots named so far were fantastic - may I add Francis Gabreski to the list? Like Yeager, Gabreski flew in both WW2 and Korea, scoring in both theaters.
well,to me.me dad!o.k,so he flew lancaster bombers in ww2.but he survived,so many others didnt.
when he came to see me at RAF Bruggen in late 90’s/early 00’s,i took him to the war graves.i think he knew a few who lay there & he felt grief.
even the german hotel’ier where my da stayed felt sorrow(his dad was in the lufwaffe)
aside from my dad,i’d say Air Vice Marshall J E"Johnnie" Johnson
Werner Voss.
Altough he had only 48 victories compared to Von Richthofens 80 he got them by mixing it up, not hanging back and waiting for a stray. It took seven British S.E.5s to bring him down and they paid the price. Check him out at WWW.THEAERODROME.COM.
Rich
Boy this may be the hardest one of all. I think you have too take many factors in to consideration, not just kills. My vote is for Randy “Duke” Cunningham. He was the first Navy ace of Vietnam. He was Credited with 3 kills in one day including a dogfight against an extremely good pilot that nearly had him beat.
I like Randy because he is a human being. He did not enjoy killing people, but he did because it was his job. He made sacrifices in his personal life, like returning for a second tour just days after arriving home from his first tour of duty. This unfortunately cost him his marriage. He also went on to Top Gun as an instructor and eventually as a Congressman from California. He has spent his life serving the people of the united states and for that I say thankyou.
There are plenty of people who have more kills than Randy. But in an age of modern combat it becomes harder and harder too score a kill. The days of 100 or 200 kills are long gone. Does this make modern day pilots less skilled than their predecessors ?..NO!
Chuck Yeager is also a good choice. It was an F-15 that he broke the sound barrier in last october for the 55 anniversary I think.
sorry djmodels1999, I like my women without balls[:0]. I don’t know what is with me today.
Let us not forget that the Red Baron got sloppy. He stopped following the basic rules for dogfighting that HE wrote and paid the ultimate price. Not good
Okay, I’m going to toss in another. This time because I believe that great fighter pilots should be measured beyond kills. Benjamin O Davis was commander of 332nd Fighter Group, often referred to as the Tuskegee Airmen. He attended West Point and received the silent treatment for his entire stay there. Nobody talked to him or acknowledged his existence. Who among us would tolerate such treatment? There was constant pressure to make this group fail, but General Davis stayed focused and made it happen. He took on the responsibility of escorting bombers. As a result of his leadership the 332nd never lost a bomber to enemy aircraft fire. My father-in-law was a waste gunner on a B-17G. He knew that when he was escorted by the 332nd he had a better than average chance of making it home. He commented about their unique flying style and bravery. A few years ago I attended a gathering of Tuskegee Airmen. There were several men who were assigned to bombers who told the tale of these couragous young men. To the late Benjamin O Davis and the 332nd FG. You are all great fighter pilots.
just kidding.