Summary Richard Bong: USAAF major, P-38 Lightning operator, 40 Japanese aircraft downed. Captain David McCampbell: USN captain, F6F Hellcat operator, Ace of Aces, 34 aerial victories. Joseph C.
McConnell Jr.: USAF captain, F-86 Sabre operator, 16 MiG-15s downed. During numerous wars, these pilots ruled the skies with their respective aircraft, squads, and onboard combat equipment.
Their extraordinary combat skills and high situational awareness earned them many aces and uncountable victories over their enemies. This article explores some of the best war pilots and their aircraft. 1 Richard “Dick” Ira Bong Primary aircraft: Lockheed P-38 Lightning United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) major Born: September 24, 1920 Years of service: 1941-1945 Credited with shooting down 40 Japanese aircraft Died: August 6, 1945 Richard Bong was a USAAF major and the recipient of the Medal of Honor in World War II.
Operator of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, Bong was credited with shooting down 40 Japanese aircraft during the Second World War. Bong was first assigned as an instructor pilot in Arizona. His first operational assignment to the 49th Fighter Squadron (FS) earned him experience onboard the twin-engined Lockheed P-38 Lightning.
Bong was later transferred to another Hamilton Field unit, the 84th Fighter Squadron of the 78th Fighter Group. Later, Bong was deployed to the Southwest Pacific Area. The P-38 Lightning was an exemplary American fighter which excelled in the Pacific War of WW.
