The best weapon in the world is a marine and his rifle. While true, the same goes for a certain Airman and his 1911 pistol. During a March 1943 search and destroy mission, co-pilot Owen J. Baggett and the rest of his bomber squadron was intercepted by Japanese Zero pilots—some of the most skilled pilots in the newest and best planes. Baggett was forced to bail out of his soon damaged craft with the rest of his crew.
When the Zeros circled back around to fire on the parachuting men, two of the airman's fellow soldiers were killed and Baggett himself was lightly injured. He played dead after being shot, taking out his pistol and resting it at his side for whatever situation might call for it.
Luck was on Baggett's side. One of the Zero pilots flew within feet of him and opened up the canopy to their cockpit in order to confirm the kill. Four shots ripped through the Japanese pilot's cockpit, one of which struck the man in the head and sent his plane spiraling downwards toward the ground. This has been recorded as one of the best shots ever made during war with a 1911 pistol.
Baggett lived in a prison camp for 2 years before being released and later becoming an Air Force colonel.
