Fighter Pilot: The First American Ace of World War II

Fantastic account of an American who served with the RAF and American Air forces through multiple wars. I couldn't but help think that Lionsgate should make a movie about this man's incredible life. It's got everything - pulse-pounding air victories and tragedies mixed with romance, boredom, brawls, and youthful silliness. One of the best stories for fans of American Aces.

William R. Dunn, with a slightly cliched but quite capable and at times understated style, tells his own story. It is about a person who engaged in more adventures than most of us could conceive. He rounded up and broke wild horses in the 1930's in the American West, fought with a Canadian highland regiment in France, became the first American ace with the RAF Eagle Squadron, helped force the German's back to Germany with the USAAF 9th Air Force, continued with Chenault and Chiang in China and, to cap his long career, contributed with the US Air Force in Viet Nam.In his childhood, the author set a goal to be a flyer. He never wavered in its pursuit until he achieved the goal and then never stopped flying until first the Air Force asked him to retire and then death finally revoked his pilot's license.His perseverance was evident by the fact that after marrying a Canadian girl in 1943 he only visited her and his son on two brief occaisions until he finished in China in 1947. Of course, she did the right thing. He also didn't quit when the Air Force retired his lt. colonel rank after the war and he re-enlisted as a technical seargeant. The bureaucrats involved with his loss of rank should have been court marshalled by the way.An interesting footnote is that he was proud of his marksmanship with weapons. He shot down two German bombers with a puny Lewis Gun as an infantryman. He was a relatively prolific scorer compared with his peers as a fighter pilot in Hurricanes and Spitfires. Then, after an accident when attempting to take off with a Thunderbolt he mentioned that he wasn't seriously hurt and in passing that it only cost him the sight in one eye. While it wasn't clear when his vision became monocular, he did fly the next day. My point is that he never shot down another airplane in his long subsequent career after this incident despite some opportunities. Though Bill never commented on it in the book, I wonder if his sight was a factor.

I was pleased to learn that this book is available, as I had served with the author during his 3 years on Okinawa. A fine man, and great story teller, he was well respected by all ranks that served with him. The telling of his flying career is authentic and well researched. Inclusion of his personal life, opinions and overall military service only adds to its appeal. The reader is taken along with the author as he experiences the ups and downs in his life. Recommend this book to anyone interested in the Battle of Britain, WW II era organizations, fighter aircraft, battle tactics and employment. It is a great adventure story in itself. The last chapter contains technical information about the various World War II fighter aircraft which may not be of interest to the casual reader. He also touches on radar operations, which was his duty assignment during the time that I served with him.

An American Hero by anyone's definition! I could not put this exciting autobiography down. A well written documentation of the World War II air war through the eyes of an American who fought for Britain via Canada in the Eagle Squadron of the Royal Air Force.

First of all the guy served in the armed forces of like 3 countries - Canada (army enlisted), then Britain (RAF officer pilot) then the United States (Army Air Corps pilot then USAF until retirement). Then as a result he served in 3 wars - WW2, Korea and Vietnam Wars.The author's brash sense of self-confidence and humor comes out on almost every page of this great story. I'd recommend this book to anyone.

If you are an avid reader of WWII in the air, like this reviewer, you will be totally absorbed in this narrative of one of the truly outstanding American pilots who flew with the RAF prior to joining the US Army Air Force. He was America's first ace and he continued his illustrous aviation career long after the conclusion of WWII. He has put you in thr pilot's seat and you are in for the ride of your life during his numerous aerial combat missions.

Very interesting story of a long time fighter pilot spanning many years and wars around the globe.

An outstanding memoir from an American veteran who got into WWII before his country did. Well worth the read, especially for aviation and history buffs. I particularly liked the anecdote that showed the personal character of King George.