Author Topic: What WW2 ace do you look up to? (Read 13193 times)

CAP1 · « **Reply #210 on:** November 05, 2007, 04:14:01 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by BaDkaRmA158Th
None.
I find it hard to look up to murder even in a conflict.

and yes,war is murder.

"hugs a tree"

lol "yes i pay to murder people in a virtual inviroment,and so do you."
I would rather be shot ten thousand times before i shoot someone else and watch the life drain from there eyes.

My life is nothing,my soul is everything, you take someone else's life..a part of your soul dies with them, ask anyone whos taken life.
some can justify it,but in the end the truth always comes back on them,look how many men beg forgivness on there deathbeds for taking the life of another, for whatever the reason or justifecation.

i think we all understand what you're saying......but....the fact remains that if our men and women hadn't done what they did, then we all wouldn't have any of what we do now......i don't like murder either.......but if it's him or me, he's deader than a doornail. if it's him or my family, i'll grind his azzzzz into the ground before i let anyone touch my family........can;t help that,,,,,,it's just the way i feel.....my family are the ONLY ones that'll ALWAYS be there till the day i or they die....so i'd do absolutly anything to protect them..even murder(and except for this game, i am a non-violent guy too:D )

CKFox · « **Reply #211 on:** November 24, 2007, 03:45:14 PM »

Saburo Sakai forever.

mensa180 · « **Reply #212 on:** November 24, 2007, 06:11:21 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by TracerX
Have to agree with this one. Almost universally recognized as the most talented German pilot. This guy was the equivalent of Fester, BK, Levi, et al. only in real life. His skills were far greater than any that came before or after him on the German side, including Hartman. I am American, and have a natural tendancy to favor the US Aces, but I have to hand it to this guy. He was special. His death was a National tragedy.

See this link

That was a great read, thanks!

Viking · « **Reply #213 on:** November 25, 2007, 11:14:22 AM »

Franz Stigler - The chivalrous Knight

"Charlie Brown was a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot with the 379th Bomber Group at Kimbolton, England. His B-17 was called 'Ye Old Pub' and was in a terrible state, having been hit by flak and fighters. The compass was damaged and they were flying deeper over enemy territory instead of heading home to Kimbolton.
After flying over an enemy airfield, a pilot named Franz Steigler was ordered to take off and shoot down the B-17. When he got near the B-17, he could not believe his eyes. In his words, he 'had never seen a plane in such a bad state'. The tail and rear section was severely damaged, and the tail gunner wounded. The top gunner was all over the top of the fuselage. The nose was smashed and there were holes everywhere.
Despite having ammunition, Franz flew to the side of the B-17 and looked at Charlie Brown, the pilot. Brown was scared and struggling to control his damaged and blood-stained plane.
Aware that they had no idea where they were going, Franz waved at Charlie to turn 180 degrees. Franz escorted and guided the stricken plane to and slightly over the North Sea towards England. He then saluted Charlie Brown and turned away, back to Europe.
When Franz landed he told the CO that the plane had been shot down over the sea, and never told the truth to anybody. Charlie Brown and the remains of his crew told all at their briefing, but were ordered never to talk about it.
More than 40 years later, Charlie Brown wanted to find the Luftwaffe pilot who saved the crew. After years of research, Franz was found. He had never talked about the incident, not even at post-war reunions.
They met in the USA at a 379th Bomber Group reunion, together with 25 people who are alive now - all because Franz never fired his guns that day. Research shows that Charlie Brown lived in Seattle and Franz Steigler had moved to Vancouver, BC after the war. When they finally met, they discovered they had lived less than 200 miles apart for the past 50 years!"

Charles Brown and Franz Stigler

A more in depth writeup of the story of the two men, with interviews:

http://flyingcarrot.com/Brown%20And%20Stigler.htm

RATTFINK · « **Reply #214 on:** November 25, 2007, 11:30:17 AM »

LT Cornelius Nooy of course.

In his second tour he downed a total to 19 aerial victories and became the highest scoring Light Carrier (CVL) Ace and the 4th highest scoring ace in the US Navy.

Lieutenant Cornelius Nicholas Nooy:

Navy Ace with 19 Aerial Victories to his credit.

Born in Smithtown Long Island NY. on April 15, 1921.

He graduated from Long Island High School in 1939 and studied horticulture at the New York State Institute of Agriculture before entering the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in August of 1942 and received his wings in January 1943.

On May 1, 1943 Ens. Nooy was attached to the newly formed Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31) under the command of Lt. Cmd. Robert Winston at NAS Atlantic City New Jersey.

Ens. Nooy along with the other members of VF-31 were assigned to the USS Cabot, flying the Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat fighter. He served with VF-31 onboard the USS Cabot from September 1943 until October 1944. During the time that USS Cabot was engaged in hostilities from January 1944 through September 1944 Lt. Nooy became a Naval Ace with 15 confirmed aerial victories to his credit.

Lt. Nooy flew as the wingman to both Air Group commanding officers. Flying as Lt. Cmdr Winston's wingman in division 1 and flying as wingman for Lt. Cmdr Wallace.

Lt. Nooy was one of the original 10 pilots from VF-31 who signed up for a second tour of duty which was served aboard the USS Belleau Wood.

Widewing · « **Reply #215 on:** November 25, 2007, 12:08:03 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Viking
Franz Stigler - The chivalrous Knight

Excellent story Viking. Thank you, it made my day a little nicer.

My regards,

Widewing

LEADPIG · « **Reply #216 on:** November 25, 2007, 05:46:43 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Simaril
Not an ace...but Lt. Gen. James Stewart is probably one of my great heroes for his consistent sense of duty, honor, and integrity.

Had a long family tradition of military service to his county, and tried repeatedly to get into the Army Air Corps -- starting over a year before Pearl. Finally had to sneak past the weight requirement to enlist, on his 3rd try. His pay dropped from $72,000 per year to $260 per year. Despite his Hollywood fame, the only time he pulled strings was to make sure he was assigned to combat status rather than serving as a stateside B-17 pilot instructor (his initial assignment). Contrast that with Bob Hope, whose rear area entertainment got way more attention, and who made a joke out of not enlisting -- "Hey, that's dangerous! I might get hurt! (Nothing against Bob Hope, an icon in his own right. Just meaning to contrast the choices available to Stewart.)

He served as operations officer of the 445th bomb group, and then its commander. He was moved to the new 453rd BG to help iron out some difficulties there, and later rose to be chief of staff for the entire wing. He flew 20 combat missions, in time spans that were simply the most lethal for pilots in US history: statistically speaking, in those days you shouldnt have been able to make it to the 25 mission tour goal.

He was awarded The DFC, the Croix de Guerre, and 7 air medals. He remained active in the reserves and continued to serve in executive roles in the Air Force until mandatory retirement age.

But best of all, he never capitalized on his war record. He put clauses in post war movie contracts prohibiting studios from even mentioning it. He didnt talk much about his service, and redirected attention to those who served without fame -- and those who didnt make it home.

He honestly felt he only did his duty. That's the kind of integrity and honor that's worth idolizing.

They don't make em like that anymore....

Must be the 60's that changed it and the subsequent terrible parents we have today and the generation before that. As a guy of 29 i find many of my peers to have little integrety, honor, and decency these days. Lot of superficiality, fakeness, and selfishness. It's dissapointing.

I get along with older people more and have met some WW2 veterans. There common decency, honor and sometimes humor, and there "Aw shucks" attitude over what they did baffles me.....Absolutely amazing.

I've often wondered what would happen if a WW2 situation happened to today's generation what would happen.

My generation dissapoints me.

LEADPIG · « **Reply #217 on:** November 25, 2007, 05:58:41 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Viking
Franz Stigler - The chivalrous Knight

Thank you as well Viking. That has got to be one of the most beautiful stories i have ever heard. Had to choke back a tear.....amazing.

Stories like this restore my faith in the human condition.

However one must ask himself, if so much human dignity can exist in a war situation. Why do men fight each other at all?

I'll never understand it.

don't know if i want to understand it.

Arlo · « **Reply #218 on:** November 25, 2007, 06:20:39 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by LEADPIG
My generation dissapoints me.

While my generation may have dissappointed me, my grandparents and parents didn't. They gave me more than the richest billionare could buy. The tools to be a decent person. All from their example. They even began laying the groundwork in that hippie decade, the sixties. I'm thinking there's a few amongst our generation that can claim such. May not be the high profiles, though.

It's a theory. Call me an optimist.

Adonai · « **Reply #219 on:** November 25, 2007, 08:00:39 PM »

Ira Cassius Kepford - Jolly Rogers F4u Pilot, was a star halfback for northwestern university, and during war Flew through CV Bunker Hills Anti Aircraft Artillery to down a kate torp bomber 1000 yards from the ship.

Ira Kepford earned two Navy Crosses, the Gold Star, the Silver Star, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Air Medal, Unit Commendation to VF-17, and the American Defense Service Medal.

Finished war with 16 Confirmed kills, Kepford retired from the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Commander on 1 June 1956. He worked for Rexall Drug Stores afterwards, rising quickly to become president of the company's eastern division.

Talk about a true patriot!

Arlo · « **Reply #220 on:** November 25, 2007, 08:04:56 PM »

Adonai! (high five)

Adonai · « **Reply #221 on:** November 25, 2007, 08:08:07 PM »

I've always been a fan of jolly rogers but Kepford just stands out risking his own life through his CV's ack just to bring down a torp bomber, that stands out to me and showing he went above and beyond.