The US pilot still had his head turned to watch me.

The US pilot had asked me something about altitude but it wasn't important.

This made him one of only 30 US pilots to gain more than 20 confirmed victories over their careers.

Rather, the problem here was that a U.S. pilot had died in spite of an efficient system.

He now uses them in his air defense system to jeopardize U.S. pilots.

Rickenbacker flew a total of 300 combat hours, reportedly more than any other US pilot in the war.

It included an escalating attack if a U.S. pilot were captured.

"Its main advantage, of course, is that it does not put U.S. pilots at risk," he said.

By law, US carrier-based pilots must practice at least once every two to three weeks to remain "fit," otherwise they are grounded.

With a total of 21 victories he is one of only seven US military pilots to become an ace in two wars.