The First American Airman to die in WW2: Billy Fiske & The Battle of Britain

Billy Fiske was the 1928 and 1932 Olympic champion bobsled driver and the first American pilot killed in action in World War II. At the time Fiske was serving in the Royal Air Force as part of 601 Squadron. He was one of 11 American pilots who flew with RAF Fighter Command between 10 July and 31 October 1940, thereby qualifying for the Battle of Britain clasp to the 1939–45 campaign star. He was killed at RAF Tangmere after engaging a JU87 Stuka bomber. Between his Olympic career and his military service, Fiske was instrumental in the early development of the Aspen ski resort. He and a partner built the first ski lift and lodge in the remote Colorado mountain town. Others would continue their work after the war. In this film Andy Jones interviews Writer Paul Beaver and Assistant Secretary of the United States Air Force and President of the Billy Fiske Foundation Kevin Billings . For more information on the Billy Fiske Foundation