Romm became the Israeli Air Force’s first jet ‘ace’ after shooting down five enemy aircraft at the start of the Six-Day War.
By United with Israel Staff
Giora Romm, the Israeli Air Force’s first fighter jet “ace,” passed away on Friday at the age of 78 after succumbing to cancer.
Romm was considered one of the Israeli Air Force’s greatest fighter pilots. In the first three days of the 1967 6-day war, Romm shot down five enemy aircraft, earning him the title of “ace.”
At the start of the war, Romm shot down two MiG-21 planes over Egypt, and on the same day shot down a MiG-21 over a Syrian airfield.
The next day he was hospitalized after being wounded in the leg by Syrian anti-aircraft fire. The day after that, however, he escaped from the hospital and returned to combat, shooting down two Egyptian MiG-17 planes on the same day.
In 1969, during the War of Attrition, Romm was shot down by Egyptian forces, during which he was injured. He was subsequently taken captive by the Egyptians and spent three months in an Egyptian prison before his release as part of a POW exchange deal between Israel and Egypt.
Romm eventually returned to flying, participating in bombing runs during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
His experience is outlined in his memoir “Solitary: The Crash, Captivity and Comeback of an Ace Fighter Pilot.”
He later served in a variety of public roles, including as Israel’s military attache to the United States.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu eulogized Romm, saying, “Together with many Israeli citizens, I share the sorrow of the family of Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Giora Romm, who contributed greatly to the state, first in his service as an Air Force pilot and later in various public roles.
“I invite you to be impressed by Giora’s personality and by his way, and to read his autobiography about his life as a pilot who was taken captive by the Egyptians – and returned to flying.
“Two weeks ago, when his severe illness became known, I spoke with Giora. This was an emotional conversation in which Giora, as was his way, showed a steadfast spirit.”