William Overstreet Jr.
William Overstreet Jr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | April 10, 1921 Clifton Forge, Virginia, United States |
| Died | December 29, 2013 (aged 92) Roanoke, Virginia, United States |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | ?–1945 |
| Rank |  Captain[1] |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
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.[2] He is best known for his claim, completely unsubstantiated, that he pursued a German Messerschmitt Bf 109G underneath the arches of the Eiffel Tower in 1944.[2][3] This engagement occurred on an unknown date in the spring of 1944, Bill Overstreet and his P-51B Mustang ("Berlin Express") were a half hour away from Paris when the action started.
German fighters attacked the American bomber group Overstreet was escorting. After most of the Germans had broken off their attack, Overstreet and a Bf 109 began a running dogfight. With Overstreet behind him, the Bf 109 pilot flew over Paris, hoping that the heavy German anti-aircraft batteries surrounding the city would either shoot Overstreet down or force him to disengage. However, Overstreet stayed on his quarry's tail, despite the intense enemy ground fire. Overstreet managed to get some hits at about 1500 feet, damaging the engine. In a surprise maneuver, the German pilot flew beneath the Eiffel Tower. Undeterred, Overstreet followed, scoring several more hits in the process. The German plane crashed, and Overstreet escaped the heavy flak around Paris by flying low and full throttle down the Seine until he had cleared the heavily defended city's anti-aircraft batteries. Had this actually occurred there would be some record of the German fighter crashing in the Paris streets and Overstreet would have likely killed French civilians on the streets and in their homes.
The scene of Overstreet supposedly chasing and downing the enemy plane is said to have inspired French citizens and the Resistance. He was awarded France's highest military award, the Legion of Honour, by French Ambassador to the United States Pierre Vimont at a ceremony held at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, on June 6, 2009.[2]
Overstreet died on December 29, 2013, at the age of 92.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ "RIP William Overstreet, A World War II Fighter Ace Who Flew Through the Eiffel Tower".
- ^ a b c d Holland, Tiffany (2014-01-02). "William Overstreet Jr., supposedly chased German aircraft beneath arches of Eiffel Tower". The Roanoke Times. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2014-01-29.
- ^ "Bill Overstreet, Famed WWII Fighter Pilot, Dies At 92". The Roanoke Times. National Public Radio. 2014-01-03. Retrieved 2014-01-29.