Glenn Eagleston was a “fighter pilot’s fighter pilot,” and mastered the challenges of combat flying in two wars.
The Utah native joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1940 and earned his wings after graduating as an aviation cadet at Luke Field in 1942. Eagleston served briefly with the 20th Fighter Group, but transferred to the 354th Fighter Group. The 354th “Pioneers” flew their P-51Bs on bomber escort duty over France where they engaged German fighters head on in a deadly game of “chicken.”
Eagleston got his first aerial combat victory on January 5, 1944 while covering a bomber withdrawal from Kiel. Eagleston shot down an FW (Focke Wulf) 190 while flying at 23,000 feet. He became an ace on March 6 when he shot down a BF-109. He would go on to become the leading ace of the Ninth Air Force with 18 1/2 kills, two probable victories, and seven damaged German aircraft in almost 100 combat missions.
He returned to combat during the Korean War flying F-86s in 84 combat missions. Eagleston was one of the first Sabre pilots to shoot down a MiG. He scored his first kill on December 22, 1950 over the Yalu River. Learn more about Eagleston’s amazing career.