The rare combination of prodigy and the truly earnest love of what one does creating a legend.

An amazing man.

Yep

Fifty nine missions before they shot him down. He's like having Darth Vader in your sky.

I used to see this guy every year at the Reno Air races, met him quite a few times and stood around quietly while my dad the old dudes on the team my dad was pitting for talked incomprehensible shop, but I never really knew his whole story. As far as I knew, he was just that old guy who flew the yellow Mustang and did loops in his twin commander with the engines off.
Also, the balls for stealing an FW-190 and not even taking the runway - just straight out.

Any other man I would call bullshit on. I take Bob Hoover at his word.

Awesome story.