William Overstreet, an American combat aviator in World War II, has  died at the age of 92   But one can hope that a deed of his will be remembered long into the age when humans no longer pilot aircraft. During a 1944 dogfight, Overstreet flew his P-51 Mustang beneath the arches of the Eiffel Tower while pursuing a German Messerschmitt.

When he was asked, later, what was around the tower,  Overstreet answered, “I’m not sure, I was a little busy.”