Robert A. “Bob” Hoover was born on January 24, 1922, in Nashville, Tennessee. This man will become a war hero and a legendary aviator. Bob Hoover was one of the most courageous leaders who helped evolve advanced aviation through adaptability and focus. Bob Hoover had a passion for aviation from his childhood. He read books and newspapers about aviation to the point that his passion for aviation grew. From the age of fifteen, Bob began taking flying lessons. He would shop all day only to show up after work at the airport to receive a short 15 minute lesson in a Piper Cub. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayIn his early years of flying, Bob had to overcome airsickness while performing aerobatics. Despite this slight setback, Bob continued to fly and perform maneuvers; eventually performing more difficult ones once he no longer suffered from airsickness. On Bob's eighteenth birthday, he joined the Tennessee Air National Guard and eventually entered active duty in late 1940. During his active duty, Bob impressed many of his instructors, giving him a reputation as a superb pilot. This reputation earned him a position as a fighter pilot. In September 1943, Hoover joined the 52nd Fighter Group. His job was to escort ships carrying supplies. However, much to Bob's disappointment, he never saw a fight. It was during this brief campaign that his heroism began. Hoover was given the challenge of flying a B-26 Marauder off a short strip of land near the Strait of Messina. No one was up to this nearly impossible task except Bob Hoover. After weeks of preparation, Bob accomplished this task, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross. This task was only the beginning of the many courageous and daunting challenges Bob would face as an aviation leader. During Hoover's service in World War II, he would face moral and ethical challenges as a leader. Hoover would eventually witness the fight and prove to be a formidable adversary in the skies as a fighter pilot. Hoover was promoted to squadron leader on February 9, 1944, just weeks after losing his roommate in a dog fight. However, Hoover had no time to cry as he led a formation of four Spitfire planes off the coasts of Italy and France to search and destroy enemy ships and trains. During this mission, Bob was engaged by several Focke-Wulf 190s. Hoover made his first kills during this mission, but tragedy would soon strike. While fending off a few FW-190s, Bob was overrun and eventually shot down over the cold ocean waters. “While floating in the icy water, about 20 miles off the coast of Nice, France, he saw four Spitfires approaching. When a group of FW-190s descended on them, one Spitfire was shot down and the other driven back. After four hours in the water, a German corvette picked up Hoover. Bob would use his strong qualities of leadership, adaptability and focus to get him through his next 15 months as a prisoner of war. Hoover, now a prisoner of war, would face unimaginable suffering and hardship. His adaptability and focus as a leader would take him to new heights not only as a leader, but also as an aviator. Hoover constantly found himself in roles and positions thatof adaptability a key trait of his survival and leadership. Bob's unpredictable nature made him the leader and aviator that he was. His trait as a focused and determined leader would help him calculate his escape from the hands of his enemy. Hoover was imprisoned in Stalag 1 after being shot. He still had untreated shrapnel wounds that were quickly becoming infected. Hoover was interrogated several times and during this time Hoover planned his escape. He made several unsuccessful attempts and was severely beaten after being recaptured. Hoover's determination, along with the help he sought from his fellow inmates, attempted another escape. This time a fight took place. Hoover, Jerry, a comrade of the 52nd Fighter Group and a Canadian aviator, successfully escaped. During their journey to join the Allies, Hoover and his friend Jerry encountered some Russian soldiers. The soldiers were drunk and nice. They invited Hoover and Jerry to a church. Upon his arrival at the church, Hoover would face the greatest ethical and moral dilemma of the war. Inside the church were hundreds of German women and children held captive by the Russians. The Russians demanded that Hoover and his friend Jerry choose a woman and rape her. Hoover wanted no part of this. Jerry and Hoover walked over to a group of women acting like they were making their selection. Jerry, who knew French, discovered a woman who spoke French. Jerry explained to the woman his intention to simulate sex. Two of the women joined Hoover and Jerry in a dark corner and began acting as if they were raping both women. All the while the Russians were hooting and screaming and even shining a light to make sure they were actually raping the women. Unbeknownst to the Russians, this was fabricated. Because of the Russians' reputation for killing fleeing Allied prisoners, Hoover's decisions were made carefully. His moral decision not to rape women showed his good moral and ethical position as a person and leader. Hoover faced his final obstacle to ensure the completion of his escape. When he came across an airfield of abandoned German FW-190s. Hoover chose a worthy FW-190; but there were still several bullet holes. In an incredible display of bravery, Hoover flew the German plane toward Allied lines, putting himself at risk of being shot down by his fellow Allies. Hoover's focus and adaptability ensured his successful escape and would also bring him fame as a hero. After serving in World War II and the Korean War, Bob Hoover became a test pilot and helped fly some of the most advanced aircraft of his time. Already a courageous and proven leader, Hoover would demonstrate more courageous acts as an aviator. Test pilots must have great adaptability and concentration skills as pilots. Hoover, having already demonstrated these characteristics during World War II, was certainly qualified for the job. Experimental aircraft are exciting, but there are many unknowns about the airworthiness and reliability of the aircraft. Hoover, an experienced pilot would exercise his PIC (Pilot in Command) capabilities to safely demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of designing a new aircraft. Operating as a PIC as a test pilot requires a pilot to make a decision on the fly. Responsibility for final authority for all decisions made inside the cockpit rests with the PIC. One of the best examples of PIC leadership was when Hoover was testing the F-86 Saber. Hoover experienced several breakdowns.