This lot features a hardbound edition of "The Flying Greek: An Immigrant Fighter Ace’s WWII Odyssey with the RAF, USAAF, and French Resistance" limited-edition book/bookplate autographed by WWII Fighter Ace Steve Pisanos. Individually numbered to only 100 copies worldwide. This rare and historically significant collectible celebrates the remarkable life and career of a distinguished fighter pilot who flew with the Royal Air Force (RAF), United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), and supported the French Resistance during World War II.
Steve Pisanos (1919–2016), known as “The Flying Greek,” was a legendary WWII Fighter Ace who had the rare distinction of serving in three different military forces during the war—the Royal Air Force (RAF), the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), and the French Resistance. Born in Greece, Pisanos immigrated to the United States in 1938 and pursued his dream of becoming a pilot. When war broke out in Europe, he joined the Royal Air Force’s No. 71 "Eagle Squadron", a unit made up of American volunteers flying Supermarine Spitfires against the Luftwaffe. In 1942, after the U.S. entered the war, Pisanos transferred to the USAAF’s 4th Fighter Group, becoming one of the first RAF Eagle Squadron pilots to receive an American commission. As a P-51 Mustang ace, Pisanos scored 10 confirmed aerial victories against German aircraft. In 1944, while on a mission over Nazi-occupied France, his P-51 suffered an engine failure, forcing him to crash-land behind enemy lines. Instead of being captured, Pisanos joined the French Resistance, helping coordinate sabotage operations against the Germans until he could be reunited with Allied forces. For his courage, combat excellence, and contributions to the war effort, Pisanos received numerous decorations, including: - The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) - The Purple Heart - The Legion of Honor (France’s highest award) - The Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters After the war, Pisanos continued his career in the U.S. Air Force, eventually becoming a test pilot at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and playing a role in the early days of jet aviation. His legacy remains one of resilience, skill, and an unwavering commitment to freedom.
This authentic item comes certified by PSA/DNA authentication services, featuring the PSA/DNA hologram affixed to the item, along with a PSA/DNA Certificate of Authenticity verifying its provenance.