Billy Fiske: An American Hero Who Died for Britain

Louis Leonardi
Aug 15
2 min read

While walking through the quiet grounds of Boxgrove Priory in Sussex, Brookfield Aviation’s CEO stumbled across the grave of Billy Fiske, an American combat fighter pilot and Olympic bobsledder. Fiske was the first American pilot to die in combat for the Royal Air Force during Second World War. As the 85^th anniversary of Fiske’s death approaches on the 17^th of August, his remarkable story deserves to be remembered.

Born in Chicago on the 4^th of June 1911, Billy Fiske was the son of a wealthy banker and was educated in France and later at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he studied economics and history. At just sixteen he led the United States five-man bobsled team to gold at the 1928 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, becoming the youngest gold medalist in Winter Olympic history, a record that stood for over six decades.

In 1939, before the U.S. had entered the war, he returned to Britain and joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, falsely claiming to be Canadian to circumvent U.S. neutrality laws. He was assigned to No. 601 Squadron, known as the “Millionaires’ Squadron” for its elite and often aristocratic members. Flying Hawker Hurricanes, Fiske quickly proved himself a skilled and courageous pilot.

Final Flight

On the 16^th of August 1940, Fiske’s aircraft was hit during a dogfight over the English Channel. Instead of bailing out, he chose to glide his damaged Hurricane back to base to save the aircraft. He crash-landed at RAF Tangmere but suffered severe burns. Sadly, Fiske died the next day from his injuries.

He was later buried at Boxgrove Priory in Sussex. He gravestone reads; “He died for England”, honouring a brave American hero.

As we approach the 17^th of August, we should all take a moment to reflect on what Billy Fiske fought for and why his story still matters. His sacrifice reminds us that true heroism knows no borders.

At Brookfield Aviation, we are deeply moved by stories like Billy Fiske’s, where courage, skill and global spirit come together in service of something greater. We recognise Fiske’s heroic qualities that define our industry: international cooperation, fearless determination and an enduring commitment to progress. His legacy serves as a timeliness reminder that aviation has always been more than just flight; it is about bridging national interests and rising to meet the call, wherever it comes from.