George McElroy Captain George Edward Henry McElroy MC and Two Bars , DFC and Bar ( b . 14 May 1893 — d . 31 July 1918 ) was a leading ace fighter pilot of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force during World War I . He was credited with 47 aerial victories . Life before aerial service . McElroy was born at Donnybrook , County Dublin , Ireland < ref name = " SE5 / 5a Aces of World War I " > < / ref > to Samuel and Ellen McElroy . He joined the Royal Irish Regiment promptly at the start of World War I , in August , 1914 , and was shipped out to France two months later . For a time , he was a motorcycle courier . He was commissioned in May 1915 but was severely wounded by mustard gas while serving in France , and sent home to recuperate . He was in Dublin in April 1916 , when the Easter Uprising erupted . Because he was still in the military , he was drafted to help quell the insurrection . McElroy refused to fire upon his fellow Irishmen and was transferred to a southerly garrison away from home until that autumn . Aerial service . He became intrigued by the air war . He transferred to the RFC in late 1916 . He trained as a pilot at Upavon in February , 1917 . From there , he joined 40 Squadron , where he benefitted from mentoring by Edward Mannock . He originally flew a Nieuport 17 , but with no success in battle . By year ' s end McElroy was flying SE - 5s and claimed his first victory on 28 December . An extremely aggressive dog - fighter who ignored often overwhelming odds , McElroy ' s score soon grew rapidly . He shot down two German planes in January , and by 18 February had run his string up to 11 . At that point , he was transferred to command a flight in No . 24 Squadron RAF . He continued to steadily accrue victories by ones and twos . By 26 March 1918 , when he was awarded the Military Cross , he was up to 18 " kills " . He was injured in a landing accident on 7 April ; he brushed a treetop while landing . By then he had run his score to 27 . While he was sidelined with his injury , on 22 April , he was awarded a bar to his Military Cross . Following convalescence , McElroy returned to 40 Squadron in June , scoring three times , on the 26th , 28th , and 30th . The latter two triumphs were observation balloons . That ran his tally to 30 . In July , he added to his score almost daily , a third balloon busting on the 1st , followed by one of the most triumphant months in the history of fighter aviation , adding 17 victims during the month . His run of success was threatened on the 20th by a vibrating engine that entailed breaking off an attack on a German two seater and a rough emergency landing that left him with scratches and bruises . There was a farewell luncheon that day for his friend " Noisy " Lewis ; their mutual friend " Mick " Mannock pulled McElroy aside to warn him about the hazards of following a German victim down within range of ground fire . On 26 July , his mentor and friend , Edward " Mick " Mannock , was killed by ground fire . Ironically , on that same day , " McIrish " McElroy received the second Bar to his Military Cross . He was one of only ten airmen to receive the second Bar . Death in action . McElroy ' s continued apparent disregard for his own safety when flying and fighting could have only one end . On the 31st , he reported destroying a Hannover C for his 47th victory . He then set out again . He failed to return from this flight and was posted missing . Later it was learned that McElroy had been killed by ground fire . He was 25 years old . McElroy would receive the Distinguished Flying Cross posthumously on 3 August , citing his shooting down 35 aeroplanes and three observation balloons . The Bar would arrive still later , on 21 September , and would laud his low - level attacks . In summary , McElroy shot down four enemy planes in flames and destroyed 23 others , one of which he shared destroyed with other pilots . He drove down 16 enemy craft " out of control " and out of the fight ; in one of those cases , it was a shared success . He also destroyed three balloons . Burial . McElroy was interred at the Laventie Military Cemetery in northern France , as was Mick Mannock . Citations for awards and decorations . Military Cross . 2nd Lt . George Edward Henry McElroy , R . G . A . and R . F . C . For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty . He has shown a splendid offensive spirit in dealing with enemy aircraft . He has destroyed at least two enemy machines , and has always set a magnificent example of courage and initiative . Military Cross First Bar . 2nd Lt . George Edward Henry McElroy , M . C . , R . G . A . , and R . F . C . For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty . When on an offensive patrol , observing a hostile scout diving on one of our aeroplanes , he opened fire , and sent down the enemy machine in an irregular spin out of control , when it finally crashed completely . Later in the same day , he sent down another enemy machine in flames . On another occasion , when on offensive patrol , he singled one out of four enemy machines , and sent it down crashing to earth . On the same day he attacked another enemy machine , and , after firing 200 rounds , it burst into flames . On a later occasion , he opened fire on an enemy scout at 400 yards range , and finally sent it down in a slow spin out of control . In addition , this officer has brought down two other enemy machines completely out of control , his skill and determination being most praiseworthy . Supplement to the London Gazette , 22 April 1918 ( 30643 / 4822 ) Military Cross Second Bar . Lt . ( T . / Capt . ) George Edward Henry McElroy , M . C . , R . G . A . , and R . F . C . For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty . While flying at a height of 2 , 000 feet , he observed a patrol of five enemy aircraft patrolling behind the lines . After climbing into the clouds , he dived to the attack , shot down and crashed one of them . Later , observing a two - seater , he engaged and shot it down out of control . On another occasion he shot down an enemy scout which was attacking our positions with machine - gun fire . He has carried out most enterprising work in attacking enemy troops and transport and in the course of a month has shot down six enemy aircraft , which were seen to crash , and five others out of control . Supplement to the London Gazette , 26 July 1918 ( 30813 / 8753 ) Distinguished Flying Cross . Lt . ( T . / Capt . ) George Edward Henry McElroy , M . C . A brilliant fighting pilot who has destroyed thirty - five machines and three kite balloons to date . He has led many offensive patrols with marked success , never hesitating to engage the enemy regardless of their being , on many occasions , in superior numbers . Under his dashing and skilful leadership his flight has largely contributed to the excellent record obtained by the squadron . Supplement to the London Gazette , 3 August 1918 ( 30827 / 920 ) Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross . Lieut . ( T . / Capt . ) George Edward Henry McElroy , M . C . , D . F . C . ( Royal G . Artillery ) . In the recent battles on various army fronts this officer has carried out numerous patrols , and flying at low altitudes , has inflicted heavy casualties on massed enemy troops , transport , artillery teams , etc . , both with machine - gun fire and bombs . He has destroyed three enemy kite balloons and forty - three machines , accounting for eight of the latter in eight consecutive days . His brilliant achievements , keenness and dash have at all times set a fine example and inspired all who came in contact with him . Supplement to the London Gazette , 21 September 1918 ( 30913 / 11248 )