Leader of the Black Sheep World War II flying ace Pappy Boyington. (more) Five Downed Fighter Pilots Who Made History Written by Tracy Grant Tracy Grant is a senior editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. She previously served as editor in chief, the first woman to hold that title. Tracy Grant Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Apr. 6, 2026 •History Pilots have been flying wartime missions since World War I, when aerial fighting in the skies of Europe was dominated by the British, German, and French. The United States, with its late entry into that conflict, wouldn’t become a real player in the air until World War II. One of the most daunting aspects of flying missions over conflict zones remains the prospect of being shot down and captured behind enemy lines. Here are the...

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