Flying ace

A flying ace is a military aviator who has shot down five or more enemy aircraft. The term originated in World War I in France, when French newspapers described Adolphe Pegoud, nicknamed "The Foolhardy One", as a flying ace after he became the first pilot to shoot down five German aircraft. Ace is also used to refer to non-aviators who have distinguished themselves by sinking ships, destroying tanks, etc. (e.g. Aces of the Deep). During WWI the Central Powers as well as the United Kingdom specified an ace as someone who had 10 or more confirmed "kills". Although the more common term in use during WWI was "victories."

See also

• List of top World War II aces
• List of World War II aces by country