Israeli Air Force Legend Giora Epstein Dies at 87: The Life Story of a Fighter Ace Like No Other

Giora Epstein, the most decorated fighter pilot in Israeli history, and one of the greatest air aces of all time, passed away Sunday at the age of 87. A mythic figure in Israeli military lore, Epstein’s sharp eyes, unmatched reflexes, and bold defiance of limitations turned him into a living legend, revered by generations of Israeli pilots and commanders.

From Rejection to Greatness

Born in 1938 on a moshav in central Israel, Giora Epstein's road to the cockpit was far from smooth. He was rejected twice from pilot training due to a heart murmur. Undeterred, he enlisted in the paratroopers in 1956 and fought in the Sinai Campaign. But his dream of flying never faded.

In an act of stubborn defiance, he stole his own medical records and went directly to then–Air Force Commander Ezer Weizman, who overruled the doctors and cleared him for flight training. That decision would alter the course of Israeli aviation history.

The Hawkeye of the Skies

Epstein earned his wings in 1961 and quickly gained a reputation for uncanny eyesight, able to spot enemy aircraft at distances no radar could. His squadmates dubbed him "Hawkeye".

His first confirmed aerial kill came in the 1967 Six-Day War, but it was during the Yom Kippur War in 1973 that he etched his name into the record books: 12 enemy aircraft shot down in less than three weeks, four in a single mission.

In total, Giora Epstein achieved 17 confirmed aerial victories - the highest in Israel's history and the most ever recorded by a Mirage pilot worldwide.

“He would see the enemy before anyone else. He could detect aircraft before the radar did,” recalled Lt. Col. Ze’ev Raz, another legendary pilot. “He was the prototype. He had no equal.”

Still Fighting at 50

Even after retiring from active combat, Epstein’s passion for flying didn’t fade. At the age of 50, long past the typical retirement age, he joined Squadron 140 as a fighter pilot flying F-16s. His younger colleagues were stunned, but not surprised, when the aging ace still demanded to be assigned live combat missions.

“He brought energy, purpose, and a deep sense of mission to the squadron,” said Col. (res.) Ofer Green. “Even with pilots half his age around him, he flew like one of the youngest.”

A Modest Hero

Despite his superhuman record, Epstein never sought celebrity. Known for his quiet demeanor and kibbutznik humility, he simply saw himself as a soldier doing his job. After leaving the IAF, he worked as a commercial pilot and later in aviation consulting.

But his heart, literally, remained a battleground. In recent years, Epstein battled a severe cardiac condition and lived with a mechanical heart pump far beyond its expected lifespan. Dr. Ilan Richter, who treated him, called it a medical miracle:

“He survived eight years with a pump designed for one. It’s a miracle, but Giora was a miracle.”

Final Honors

In 2018, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot and IAF Commander Amikam Norkin awarded Epstein an honorary promotion to Brigadier General, recognizing his unmatched contributions.

Current IAF Commander Tomer Bar eulogized him on Sunday:

“Giora, with over 9,000 sorties and 5,000 flight hours, 16 MIGs and Sukhois downed, and one helicopter, you are a world champion. A fearless warrior. Your seat in every squadron debrief room will always remain yours.”

Legacy in the Skies

Giora Epstein's story is not just one of dogfights and medals. It's a story of relentless drive, iron will, and unshakable belief in one’s purpose. He turned rejection into victory and fear into legacy.

He is survived by his wife Sarah, their three children, and countless Israeli pilots who grew up hearing tales of his unmatched courage and vision.

Giora “Hawkeye” Epstein didn’t just fly planes, he lifted a nation.