Flying aces in both World War I and World War II were elite fighter pilots credited with downing five or more enemy aircraft. In World War I, aces like the German Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, and the British ace Captain Albert Ball became legendary for their aerial dogfights and tactical skill. In World War II, aces continued to emerge, with figures like Douglas Bader and ‘Johnnie’ Johnson, and German ace Erich Hartmann, who became the highest-scoring ace in history with 352 kills. These pilots were celebrated for their courage, precision, and innovative tactics, and their exploits often became symbolic of national pride.