The Pilot Who Took Down an Enemy Fighter Using Only His 1911 Pistol While Parachuting

Yet, some tales stand out because of their incredible nature and the sheer courage they depict. One such story is about Army Air Forces bomber pilot Owen Baggett, who achieved something almost unbelievable. During a mission in the skies above Burma, Baggett defended himself with just a pistol against a fighter aircraft.

A Dangerous Mission and Relentless Attack

In March 1943, Owen Baggett and his B-24 Liberator squadron were assigned the perilous task of destroying a bridge in Burma. During their mission, they encountered a squadron of Japanese Zero fighters. These planes were agile and deadly, posing a significant threat to Allied bombers like Baggett’s B-24. As they approached their target, the squadron came under intense attack. Numerous bullets hit their B-24, especially in the fuel tanks. With their plane heavily damaged and on the verge of destruction, Baggett and his crew had no choice but to bail out.

Baggett, who was the co-pilot, operated the top gun turret as his fellow airmen escaped from the plummeting aircraft. They managed to get out just before the bomber exploded. However, the Japanese fighters were relentless. Even as the American airmen descended slowly under their parachutes, the enemy pilots continued to attack.

A Remarkable Act of Survival

Realizing that playing dead might be his only chance for survival, Baggett tried to remain as motionless as possible in his parachute. It was a desperate move, but one of the Japanese pilots made a grave mistake. Thinking that Baggett was likely dead, he slowed down and approached closely, getting a better look at the seemingly lifeless American. The Japanese pilot even opened his plane’s canopy.

Baggett was not as defenseless as he seemed. Holding his M1911 pistol, he quickly aimed and fired four shots into the cockpit of the approaching plane. To the astonishment of many, the Japanese plane spun out of control and crash-landed. Colonel Harry Melton, another pilot from Baggett’s squadron who was also shot down that day, later confirmed that he saw the Japanese pilot’s body being ejected from the cockpit. Melton noted that the pilot seemed to have been shot in the head, a claim that bolstered Baggett’s incredible story.

Endurance, Captivity, and a Storied Legacy

Once Baggett landed, the danger did not end. The enemy pilots continued to strafe at him, forcing him to seek cover. He found refuge among trees, trying to stay hidden until ground forces captured him. Baggett spent the next two years as a prisoner of war in Rangoon, Burma, enduring the harsh conditions that came with captivity. However, his resilience paid off when he was eventually rescued by agents from the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the forerunner of the modern CIA.

After the war, Owen Baggett continued to serve in the newly-formed United States Air Force. He retired with the rank of Colonel and later enjoyed a successful career on Wall Street. Baggett firmly believed until his death in 2006 that he had managed to shoot down the Japanese fighter with his pistol. Although some historical accounts consider the story somewhat legendary, the extraordinary nature of his actions has cemented his place in military history.