The One-Man Air Force, Navy’s Top Ace Downing Nine Japanese Aircraft During WWII

On October 24, 1944, in the middle of World War II, one U.S. Navy pilot changed the course of a day’s battle—and secured his place in history. Commander David McCampbell, flying with only his wingman, went up against a large force of Japanese aircraft. By the end of the mission, he had shot down nine enemy planes, the most ever by a U.S. Navy pilot in a single flight.

A Late Start, A Quick Rise

David McCampbell wasn’t a new pilot when he entered combat—he had been flying for years. Born in 1910 and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in 1933, McCampbell trained as a naval aviator. But at the start of the war, he wasn’t flying combat missions. Instead, he worked as an aircraft carrier engineer. It wasn’t until 1943 that he got the chance to lead in the air. That year, he took command of Air Group 15 aboard the USS Essex, where he quickly proved his skill over the Pacific.

Flying the Grumman F6F Hellcat, McCampbell used a fighter built for dominance. The Hellcat was designed to outperform Japan’s A6M Zero. With a powerful engine, heavy machine guns, and a frame that could take hits and keep flying, it became one of the war’s most successful fighters.

The Battle of Leyte Gulf

In October 1944, the Japanese Navy was trying to stop the U.S. advance through the Pacific. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf—considered the largest naval battle of the war—a large group of enemy aircraft headed toward the U.S. fleet. There was no time to organize a full defense. So McCampbell and his wingman, Roy Rushing, took off alone to intercept.

The two pilots climbed to 30,000 feet and spotted more than 60 enemy planes—Zeros, Tojos, and bombers. Rather than wait for backup, McCampbell dove straight into the group. His first few bursts brought down multiple planes. One by one, he kept firing and scoring hits, disrupting the entire formation. Enemy pilots were caught off guard by the aggressive attack. With Rushing covering him, McCampbell downed nine aircraft. Rushing brought down six more. Their actions broke up the attack before it reached the fleet.

Records and Legacy

This wasn’t McCampbell’s only high-scoring day. Four months earlier, during the “Marianas Turkey Shoot,” he shot down seven Japanese aircraft in one day. That battle destroyed hundreds of enemy planes and gave the U.S. a major air advantage.

By the end of the war, McCampbell had 34 confirmed kills, making him the top U.S. Navy ace. He is the only Navy pilot to become an “ace in a day” twice. For his skill and leadership, he received the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, and several other awards. After the war, he continued to serve and later became a rear admiral.

McCampbell retired in 1964 and passed away in 1996. His actions in the Pacific remain some of the most impressive feats in air combat history.