Air Force Leaders & Pioneers
Here you will find information about aviation leaders and pioneers from throughout military history. Read more about famous aces like Eddie Rickenbacker and Erich Hartmann, as well as commanders such as Billy Mitchell and Sir Arthur "Bomber" Harris.
World War I: Oswald Boelcke
Oswald Boelcke was one of the first true fighter pilots of World War I. Selected to fly the Fokker E.I, Boelcke helped develop the fundamentals of aerial combat. Oswald Boelcke trained other aces such as Manfred von Richthofen prior to his death in 1916.
Oswald Boelcke was one of the first true fighter pilots of World War I. Selected to fly the Fokker E.I, Boelcke helped develop the fundamentals of aerial combat. Oswald Boelcke trained other aces such as Manfred von Richthofen prior to his death in 1916.
World War I: French Ace Georges Guynemer
Georges Guynemer was one of the great French aces of World War I. Born in Compiègne, Guynemer was initially turned down by the French Army and elected to join the air service. Learning to fly, Guynemer ultimately downed 53 enemy aircraft before his death in 1917. He finished as the second-highest scorer in French service.
Georges Guynemer was one of the great French aces of World War I. Born in Compiègne, Guynemer was initially turned down by the French Army and elected to join the air service. Learning to fly, Guynemer ultimately downed 53 enemy aircraft before his death in 1917. He finished as the second-highest scorer in French service.
World War I: Raoul Lufbery
Raoul Lufbery was a French-American pilot during World War I. First serving with the Escadrille Lafayette, he later was transferred to the US 94th Aero Squadron. Before his death in 1917, Lufbery was credited with 17 kills over the Western Front.
Raoul Lufbery was a French-American pilot during World War I. First serving with the Escadrille Lafayette, he later was transferred to the US 94th Aero Squadron. Before his death in 1917, Lufbery was credited with 17 kills over the Western Front.
World War I: Edward "Mick" Mannock
Edward "Mick" Mannock was one of the top British aces of World War I. Born in Ireland, Mannock entered the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. Learning to fly, he became an accomplished ace and a gifted flight leader before his death in July 1918.
Edward "Mick" Mannock was one of the top British aces of World War I. Born in Ireland, Mannock entered the Royal Flying Corps in 1916. Learning to fly, he became an accomplished ace and a gifted flight leader before his death in July 1918.
World War I: Manfred von Richthofen - The Red Baron
Manfred von Richthofen, better known as the "Red Baron," was the top scoring ace of World War I. Scoring his first kill in September 1916, von Richthofen ultimately downed eighty Allied aircraft. The Red Baron was killed in combat while fighting over Morlancourt Ridge in April 1918.
Manfred von Richthofen, better known as the "Red Baron," was the top scoring ace of World War I. Scoring his first kill in September 1916, von Richthofen ultimately downed eighty Allied aircraft. The Red Baron was killed in combat while fighting over Morlancourt Ridge in April 1918.
World War I: American Ace Eddie Rickenbacker
The top American ace of World War I, Eddie Rickenbacker was a former racecar driver who joined the US Army in 1917. A gifted mechanic, Rickenbacker had to talk his way into flight training as his skills were needed on the ground. Flying with the 94th Aero Squadron, Rickenbacker downed 26 enemy aircraft.
The top American ace of World War I, Eddie Rickenbacker was a former racecar driver who joined the US Army in 1917. A gifted mechanic, Rickenbacker had to talk his way into flight training as his skills were needed on the ground. Flying with the 94th Aero Squadron, Rickenbacker downed 26 enemy aircraft.
World War II: Marshal Arthur "Bomber" Harris
Marshal Arthur "Bomber" Harris is best known as the commander of the Royal Air Force's Bomber Command during World War II. While leading Bomber Command, he implemented Winston Churchill's policy of area bombing German cities. A controversial figure, "Bomber" Harris retired shortly after the war.
Marshal Arthur "Bomber" Harris is best known as the commander of the Royal Air Force's Bomber Command during World War II. While leading Bomber Command, he implemented Winston Churchill's policy of area bombing German cities. A controversial figure, "Bomber" Harris retired shortly after the war.
World War II: General Jimmy Doolittle
General Jimmy Doolittle began his career during World War I and rose to prominence during the interwar years as an aviation pioneer and racer. With the outbreak of World War II, Jimmy Doolittle returned to active service and led a daring raid on Tokyo before taking command of the Eighth Air Force. Remaining in the service after the war, Doolittle retired in 1959.
General Jimmy Doolittle began his career during World War I and rose to prominence during the interwar years as an aviation pioneer and racer. With the outbreak of World War II, Jimmy Doolittle returned to active service and led a daring raid on Tokyo before taking command of the Eighth Air Force. Remaining in the service after the war, Doolittle retired in 1959.
World War II: General Carl A. Spaatz
Born in 1891, Carl Spaatz became one the key leaders of US air forces during World War II. A fighter pilot in World War I, Spaatz rose through the ranks and commanded the Eighth Air Force during its early operations in World War II. Promoted higher, Spaatz later led the US Strategic Air Forces in Europe and the Pacific before being named the first Chief of Staff of the US Air Force.
Born in 1891, Carl Spaatz became one the key leaders of US air forces during World War II. A fighter pilot in World War I, Spaatz rose through the ranks and commanded the Eighth Air Force during its early operations in World War II. Promoted higher, Spaatz later led the US Strategic Air Forces in Europe and the Pacific before being named the first Chief of Staff of the US Air Force.
World War II: Major Thomas McGuire
Major Thomas McGuire was the second-highest scoring American ace of World War II. Flying in the South Pacific, Thomas McGuire favored the P-38 Lightning and amassed a total of 38 kills. He was shot down on January 7, 1945, during a fight over Negros Island.
Major Thomas McGuire was the second-highest scoring American ace of World War II. Flying in the South Pacific, Thomas McGuire favored the P-38 Lightning and amassed a total of 38 kills. He was shot down on January 7, 1945, during a fight over Negros Island.
General Curtis E. LeMay: Father of the Strategic Air Command
General Curtis LeMay first gained fame as leading bombing raids over Germany during World War II. By the end of the conflict, LeMay was commanding the bomber offensive against Japan. Following the war, LeMay became the driving force behind the Strategic Air Command and later served as Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
General Curtis LeMay first gained fame as leading bombing raids over Germany during World War II. By the end of the conflict, LeMay was commanding the bomber offensive against Japan. Following the war, LeMay became the driving force behind the Strategic Air Command and later served as Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
Sir Arthur "Bomber" Harris
A brief biography of the controversial World War II Royal Air Force leader Sir Arthur "Bomber" Harris.
A brief biography of the controversial World War II Royal Air Force leader Sir Arthur "Bomber" Harris.
Commander David McCampbell - Top US Navy Ace of World War II
A biography of David McCampbell who downed 34 Japanese planes during World War II, making him the top ace of the US Navy.
A biography of David McCampbell who downed 34 Japanese planes during World War II, making him the top ace of the US Navy.
"The Red Fighter Pilot" by Manfred von Richthofen
An online version of the "Red Baron" Manfred von Richthofen's wartime memoir.
An online version of the "Red Baron" Manfred von Richthofen's wartime memoir.