Owen Baggett: The Pilot Who Shot Down a Plane With a Pistol
During the intense years of World War II, thousands of pilots faced deadly encounters in the skies. But few can compare to the almost cinematic story of Owen Baggett — the only known pilot to have shot down an enemy aircraft with a handgun.
Born in 1920 in Texas, Owen J. Baggett joined the United States Army Air Forces and became a second lieutenant. He was assigned to the 7th Bomb Group and deployed to the China-Burma-India Theater — one of the most dangerous regions for Allied airmen. Baggett flew B-24 Liberator bombers on missions targeting Japanese forces entrenched in Southeast Asia.
On March 31, 1943, Baggett and his crew were flying over Burma when they were attacked by Japanese fighters. Their B-24 bomber was critically damaged. With the plane going down in flames, the crew had no choice but to bail out. As they parachuted through the air, they were vulnerable and exposed to the enemy.
What happened next is something out of an action film.
As Baggett descended under his parachute, one of the Japanese pilots flew his fighter close, reportedly intending to either frighten or shoot the helpless airmen. But this pilot made a grave mistake: he got too close. Baggett, who had kept his M1911 service pistol strapped to his side, raised the weapon, took aim, and fired several shots directly at the cockpit of the approaching plane.
Incredibly, the enemy aircraft stalled and crashed — presumably hit by one of Baggett’s bullets or its pilot fatally wounded. The story was later corroborated by Japanese officers and intelligence reports. According to those who investigated after the war, Baggett had indeed shot and possibly killed the pilot of the fighter with his sidearm — an achievement unmatched in the annals of aerial warfare.
After landing, Baggett was captured by Japanese forces and held as a prisoner of war in Burma for over two years, enduring brutal conditions. Despite the hardship, he survived the war and later enjoyed a successful career in the oil industry. He passed away in 2006 at the age of 85.
Baggett’s story is not only unique — it’s a tale of resilience, quick thinking, and extraordinary marksmanship. To this day, he is remembered as the man who turned a moment of helplessness into a remarkable victory.
