First Love: a Fighter Pilot in Korea Memoirs and Love of Flying

Even as a young boy Hank Koenig dreamed of piloting his own airplane. He first fell in love with flying when he and his mother watched a large group of barnstormers and airplanes flying above the airport of their small Illinois town. Ever since that day, he went to the airport whenever possible, and began taking lessons soon after.

Koenig earned his pilot's license at the age of sixteen and landed a job as a commercial pilot, taking people for observation rides at the Starved Rock National Park. Soon he had enough to buy his own airplane, and continued his flying ventures through high school and college.

But it was during the Korean War that Koenig had his chance to become a true fighter pilot. Since he was disqualified for medical reasons to serve in the U. S. military, he went to Canada and enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He went to Korea in 1953 and flew mainly P51 Mustangs and F86 jets. Koenig found himself in several dog fights and faced death more than once. Following his stint in Korea, Koenig came back to the United States and continued his love of flying.

Honest and candid, this heartfelt autobiography tells the story of one man's love affair with flying.