My Dad, WW II.
Fighter pilot, Instructor pilot, Test pilot, Transport pilot, Tanker pilot.
Was shot at (and shot up) more than once by his own Chinese fighter pilot students. (They eventually got a clue)
As part of the All Weather Flying Division, was authorized to create his own landing approaches to any airfield anywhere in any conditions, and did so. Once, when they turned off the lights in spite.
Part time UFO. (Dragging flares at night in low cloud winter weather is fun! Except for the cable whip.)
After an entire squadron of front line jet fighters was lost due to icing in the early 50s, was assigned a F-94 and a scientist and told to find the worst weather he could, fly until he couldn't anymore, the come back and report what happened. Aircraft operations and jet engine designs changed because he did.
126 Combat missions hauling coal to Berlin.
The only person (and crew) ever to survive a KC-97 tanker dual engine failure on takeoff with max load.
Rest in peace, Dad.
My