- William Overstreet Jr., a former captain in the U.S. Air Corps, passed away on Sunday at a hospital in Roanoke
- He famously flew his plane beneath the Eiffel Tower in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1944, lifting the spirits of French troops on the ground
- In 2009, he was presented France’s Legion of Honor
The Daily Mail [UK]
3 January 2014
A World War II fighter pilot who gained fame for dramatically flying beneath the Eiffel Tower’s arches to take down a German aircraft has died aged 92.
William Overstreet Jr. died on Sunday at a hospital in Roanoke, Virginia, according to his obituary, but there was no indication of the cause of his death.
Overstreet’s famously flew his P-51C ‘Berlin Express’ beneath the Eiffel Tower in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1944, which has been credited with lifting the spirits of French Resistance troops on the ground.
For his valiant service, the French ambassador to the United States presented Overstreet with France’s Legion of Honor at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford in 2009…
…Before his death, he also worked with numerous charities and veterans groups, appearing at air shows and gatherings with fellow veterans. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nita.
Anne Mason Keller, Overstreet’s niece, said of her uncle: ‘He was a fighter, he was always a perfect gentleman. He was concise, focused with a delightful sense of humor and a twinkle in his eyes.
‘He was always humble. Whenever the press interviewed him, he said, “I didn’t do anything, we were a team”.’
His family has asked that those attending his memorial service on Saturday those wear something either or both red and yellow, his squadron’s colors.
Read the entire article at The Daily Mail
Hero: World War II Aviator Bill Overstreet Jr., best known for flying beneath the Eiffel Tower in pursuit of a German plane, is pictured in his military days. He passed away in Virginia on Sunday, aged 92
