World War II Flying Tigers pilot Rossi dies at 92
Monday, April 28, 2008
(04-28) 15:28 PDT FALLBROOK, CA (AP) –
A Flying Tigers pilot who gained acclaim for downing six Japanese Zeros during the early days of World War II has died.
Dick Rossi, who earned two presidential citations for his combat prowess, died April 17 of pneumonia at his home in Fallbrook, north of San Diego, his wife said. He was 92.
In November 1941, Rossi joined a secret volunteer group of pilots who would travel to China and defend it against the Japanese. Officially known as the American Volunteer Group, the Chinese referred to the pilots as the Flying Tigers for their aerial combat skills.
The pilots earned $600 a month, plus $500 for each plane shot down.
In December 1941, Rossi and his squadron first engaged the Zeros over Kunming, China, and shot down three of the planes.
During their months of combat, the Flying Tigers shot down 296 Japanese planes.
In July 1942, seven months after the United States entered the war, the group was disbanded. Rossi spent the rest of the war years working as a pilot for the China National Aviation Corp., delivering supplies from India to China. He made 735 trips over the Himalayas.
After the war ended, Rossi spent the next 25 years working as a pilot for Flying Tiger Line, a freight carrier.
Rossi is survived by his wife, Lydia, and his son.
Source: The Los Angeles Times, www.latimes.com