Fighter Pilots & Flight Officers

Fighter Pilots & Flight Officers

This series tells the story of the heroic accomplishments of U.S. military pilots from World War One, Word War Two, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War. Topics include dog fights, bombing missions, getting shot down, being a prisoner of war, search and rescue, and what families and friends must endure when a beloved pilot is killed in the line of duty.

Fighter Pilots & Flight Officers
  • Major Raoul Lufbery: Fighter Ace

    Directed by Alexander Zane Irwin

    The story of WWI Pilot Gervais Raoul Lufbery, a triple confirmed WWI ace, mechanic and world traveler. Explores the Lafayette Escadrille squadron, a formation of volunteer pilots serving in France on behalf of the United States whose service marked the early ori...

  • Ralph Parr: Fighter Ace of the Twentieth Century

    Directed by Alexander Zane Irwin

    This short film tells the story of WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War Fighter Pilot Ralph Parr. In addition to rarely seen archival footage, this film features interviews with his biographer, Ken Murray, his stepdaughter Linda Capps, and his stepson Paul McLaughlin.

  • Jack Ensch: Hanoi Hilton POW

    Directed by Daniel Leonard Bernardi

    Jack "Fingers" Ensch served in the Navy for 30 years. Recounting his experience of getting shot down and held as a POW in the infamous Hanoi Hilton, Jack explains how he was able to move forward from the experience and enjoy a full life.

  • John Heroux: Gulf War Fighter Pilot

    Directed by David Washburn

    In 1991, John Heroux served in Operation Desert Storm, piloting one of forty F16 Fighter Planes sent in to target large manufacturing facilities deep inside Iraq. Looking back on these missions, John explains that pilots, himself included, felt no pride at causing dest...

  • Lt. Cmdr. Che Barnes: Fallen Brother

    Directed by Alexander Zane Irwin

    Lieutenant Commander Che Barnes, who died in 2009 after the plane he was flying was struck by U.S. Marine Corps helicopters, is remembered by his two brothers for his passion for flying and saving lives. Barnes and his fellow Coasties and U.S. Marines died in the...

  • Fighter Pilots of Vietnam

    Directed by Carolina Gratianne

    A group of American and Vietnamese fighter pilots gather almost fifty years after the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Despite their training, aerial combat encounters, and being shot down, these veteran pilots talk as friends with mutual respect.

  • Navigator: Lt. Col. Ken Murray

    Directed by Daniel Leonard Bernardi

    A former U.S. Air Force air tanker navigator, Lt. Col. Ken Murray’s career takes us from the horrific accident that killed 70 people at an airshow demonstration to Operation Just Cause in Panama and to the Iraq War. Through it all, we experience air operations...

  • Gianmarco Bellini: Gulf War POW

    Directed by Maria Luisa Forenza

    On the eve of Operation Desert Storm in the first Gulf War, the Italian government deployed eight Tornado Fighter-bombers. Gianmarco Bellini was one of these pilots. He was shot down, captured, and abused, but returned and was able to rise to the rank of General.