Maj. John “Gil” Bright

Major John Gilpin “Gil” Bright is often touted as the first American ace to score victories over all three Axis countries. His final tally, however, depends on who does the counting. Bright began his career with the 75th Fighter Squadron, American Volunteer Group—the famous Flying Tigers—technically a Chinese Air Force unit. In January 1942 he claimed two Japanese fighters destroyed on the ground (which the AVG credited as kills), a Kawasaki Ki-32 (“Mary”) Type 98 light bomber, and a third fighter. Through the end of July he claimed two Mitsubishi A6M Zeroes destroyed, another probable—all likely Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusas—and a Nakajima Ki-27 “Nate” fighter probable.

Bright's contract with the Tigers expired at the end of July. He transferred to the Army Air Corps as a major with the 37th Fighter Squadron, 14th Fighter Group, flying P-38 Lightnings in the Mediterranean. On May 9, 1943 he shot down an Italian Savoia-Marchetti tri-motor bomber, recorded variously as an SM.79 or similar SM.82. Finally, on May 25 he and 1st Lt James Malcolm Hollingsworth split a claim for a German Dornier Do-217 bomber. However, the 14th FG did not allow shared scores. Victory was decided by a coin flip. Bright lost. So goes history.

After that Bright's career parallels Louis Curdes’. At noon on August 30 the ex-P-40 pilot overspeeded his P-38G-15-LO #43-2418 in a dive over Montalto di Castro. (The P-38 was notorious for losing its tail in high-speed dives.) Captured by Italians in September, Bright was held prisoner for ten days until the Armistice, then had to travel over 100 miles through German-held territory to reach friendly troops. Whether he and Curdes ever crossed paths on their journey is unknown.

Claims on behalf of Nationalist China (as AVG pilots’ were) are not recognized by the US Air Force, which records Bright’s final score variously as 3 or 7. The American Fighter Aces Association credits him with total six victories total, including three with the AVG. Neither count includes his Nazi kill.