William Overstreet Jr.

William Bruce "Bill" Overstreet Jr. (April 10, 1921 – December 29, 2013) was an American fighter pilot and a veteran of the 357th Fighter Group, 363rd Fighter Squadron of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.[1] He is best known for his solo pursuit of a German Messerschmitt Bf 109G underneath the arches of the Eiffel Tower in 1944.[1][2]

In 2009, Overstreet was awarded the Legion of Honour by the French Ambassador to the United States Pierre Vimont at a ceremony held at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia.[1]

He died on December 29, 2013, at the age of 92.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Holland, Tiffany (2014-01-02). "William Overstreet Jr., chased German aircraft beneath arches of Eiffel Tower". The Roanoke Times (Richmond Times-Dispatch). Retrieved 2014-01-29.
  2. ↑ "Bill Overstreet, Famed WWII Fighter Pilot, Dies At 92". The Roanoke Times (National Public Radio). 2014-01-03. Retrieved 2014-01-29.