Ernie P.

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Not Sakai, elmshoot; but here's a bonus clue to reward your participation. Thanks; Ernie P.


Question: What warbird pilot do I describe?

Clues:
1. His name is right there at the top of at least one list.
2. And, second on a much larger list.
3. He was an experienced military veteran before his war began.
4. And, he was already a pilot; although he did not start his military career as such.
5. He was small of stature.
6. Although he practiced gymnastics for recreation.
7. Very early in the war, he crashed on takeoff due to an engine failure.
8. He suffered two broken legs; yet managed to pull a crewmember to safety.
9. He is credited with shooting down at least five fellow aces; as well as several pilots who survived to become aces themselves.
10. He had a natural aptitude for mechanical things. Because of this, he was assigned as a driver for an important person.
11. He used that opportunity to press the VIP successfully for a transfer to an aviation career path.
12. When the war started, he was flying reconnaissance missions.
13. Despite his injuries (7) and (8), he was back flying in less than two months.
14. He was trained on single seat fighters less than a year into the war. He had already earned several medals for bravery in other types.
15. He was then assigned to a new group forming under an iconic leader.
16. He was among the first to fly an iconic aircraft in combat; one which changed the face of aerial warfare.
17. He scored his first victory around five weeks later.
18. He was an ace in six more weeks.