A World War 1 flying hero, he fought for the French Flying Corps and was one of their best, despite a number of crashes, including one where he was badly injured. He recovered, in a German Prisoner of War camp which he escaped from just days before Armistice Day. Once back in the USA, he became a stunt biker, mechanic for Stutz and then became a stunt pilot, staying in the discipline for virtually the rest of his life. He worked as a test pilot for the US Navy, as an technical consultant and test pilot for Allison's Engines and in WW2, despite starting as a maintenance and pilot advisor, he later fought and then flew in many missions in WW2 including over Normandy on D-Day. Later lived in France and the UK. Promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel, he later served in the forerunner of the CIA for them as a pilot, where he served in missions to Cuba and the Dominican Republic. He had a brief spell as a bank clerk as a boy, but that didn't last long! Died after a period of ill-health - he was still flying when he suffered the first of many strokes, the last of which would kill him. A biography of him has been released in 2009.

Biography last updated 24 Jan 2010