Franz StiglerFranz Stigler's actions not only saved the crew of a B-17, the enemy, but also saved his humanity. From the day he was recruited as a flight instructor, Franz was entrusted with visionary leadership. He also demonstrated ethical leadership on December 20, 1943. Like many of that generation, Franz approached the war from the perspective of his country and his belief that what he was doing was right. It was his job to train the pilots well, and when it was his turn to fight, to kill the enemy. Visionary leader Franz Stigler was initially a glider pilot in his youth. His father and parish priest founded a club for young men and the joy of witnessing a flight captured his imagination. After high school and some university studies, he trained as an airline pilot with Lufthansa. Since it was about the reconstruction of Germany, the government financed this training. In turn, Franz was engaged in civilian service in the German Air Force as a flight instructor. It was here that his natural leadership abilities shined. A notable student was Gerhard Barkhorn. This was during B school where pilots learned more advanced flight skills such as remote flight, navigation and emergency handling. During an additional training session, Franz noted that the barkhorn was a horrible driver and needed to be washed. This would undoubtedly place the cadet in the infantry and yet, not being at war, Germany was heading in that direction. Franz provided transformational leadership during this flight. Barkhorn felt defeated again when Franz took control, but instead of landing the plane, he continued north. Here he distracted Barkhorn with the buzz of a nudist camp. This allowed Barkhorn to think less and fly more naturally. It was this realization...... middle of paper ......nz Stigler and the B-17 pilot met several years later at a meeting of American pilots. Franz was quoted as saying that meeting the B-17 pilot was like meeting his brother and just as valuable (p. 7).ReferencesThomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education (US) United States. Department of the Air Force. (2012a). Ethical leadership (LM01). Maxwell-Gunter Annex, AL: Department of the Air Force. Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education (United States) United States. Department of the Air Force. (2012a). Comprehensive leadership development (CF02). Maxwell-Gunter Annex, AL: Department of the Air Force Makos, A. and Alexander, L. (2013). A higher calling. New York: Berkley Books. Blake, J. (March 9, 2013). Two enemies discover a “higher calling” in combat. CNN. Accessed May 5, 2014, from http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/09/living/higher-call-military-chivalry/