In this extraordinary episode of *American Warrior Radio*, we meet **Steve Pisanos**—a Greek-born immigrant whose passion for flight and unwavering determination made him a **highly decorated American ace**, a test pilot, and a global ambassador of freedom.
Presented by **Bruce Huffman** of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, Steve’s story begins in Athens, where a 13-year-old boy watched a biplane twist through the sky and decided he was born to fly. His journey would take him from **illegal immigrant in New York City** to **Royal Air Force pilot**, to becoming the **first person in U.S. history naturalized as a citizen outside the continental United States**—all before the war was over.
Steve flew **Spitfires, P-47s, and P-51 Mustangs**, scoring **10 confirmed victories** before being shot down over France. Evading capture with the help of the **French Resistance**, he fought alongside them in underground operations. For his bravery, he was awarded France’s **Legion of Honor**. After the war, he continued his service as a **test pilot** and was later selected to lead the U.S. Air Force Mission to Greece—where he helped secure a major victory for U.S. foreign policy and aircraft sales during the Cold War.
At every stage, Steve’s life was defined by **grit, gratitude, and an unshakable belief in freedom**. His story isn’t just about aerial combat—it’s about the mettle it takes to leave everything behind and chase something bigger than yourself.
Episode 25: Steve Pisanos – Mettle, Merit, and a Life of Flight
Episode 25 of American Warrior Radio (OGTA #2) introduces us to Steve Pisanos, a figure described as a “youthful reckless punk” who was also an “illegal alien” and became an “american hero”. The episode, presented by Bruce Huffman of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, explores Steve’s remarkable journey, highlighting the idea that success and making a difference require “mettle” – a focus on something “bigger than just your immediate desires”.
Steve’s dream to become a military aviator began at age 13 in Greece, sparked by watching a Greek Air Force biplane perform “astonishing acrobatics”. This experience was so profound that it made school and books seem unimportant, leading him to skip school to watch airplanes fly. Without the necessary academic qualifications for the Greek Air Force Academy, Steve decided his path lay elsewhere.
On his 18th birthday, without telling his parents, Steve joined the Greek Merchant Marine. He got a job on a freighter bound for Baltimore, a place he’d never heard of. With only six dollars and learning just four essential English words (“ticket to New York”) from a fellow fireman, Steve made his way to New York City. His arrival was difficult; he was “crying like like a baby” and didn’t know where to go. He was saved when he stumbled upon a Greek movie theater, heard his native language, and was taken in by a family living in Brooklyn. His story is described as a “pretty typical coming to America story” but highlights the “tremendous amount of purpose of courage” required to leave one’s country without knowing the language.
Despite being in America, Steve’s desire to fly and fight persisted. He tried to join the US army but was refused because he was not an American citizen. The Axis occupation of Greece in April 1941 brought terrible hardships and civilian deaths, intensifying Steve’s desire to fight the Germans. His flight instructor suggested joining the Royal Air Force (RAF), explaining that the British were forming Eagle Squadrons with volunteer pilots from the United States. Steve connected with the Clayton Knight Committee in New York City, whose mission was to prepare Americans (and in Steve’s case, a very enthusiastic Greek) to fight for the Allies before the US officially entered the war. Out of 50,000 Americans who wanted to fly for the RAF, only 6,700 were accepted, and Steve was among them. He was working at the Park Hotel at the time and was concerned about telling his German boss, but his boss surprisingly hugged him and gave him his blessing, expressing his own disapproval of Hitler.
Steve flew multiple aircraft in combat, including the P-51, P-47, and the British Supermarine Spitfire. When asked what airplane he’d like drawn, he chose his Spitfire. He felt the Spitfire was a beautiful design and special because it was the first aircraft he flew in combat. It also represented his “crazy multinational life” – a Greek citizen fighting Germans in a British airplane with American markings.
When the US entered the war, the USAAF wanted to integrate the American pilots from the RAF Eagle Squadrons. Steve joined the Fourth Fighter Group even though he was not an American citizen, because pilots were needed. It was then announced that Lieutenant Pisanos was the first individual in American history to be naturalized as a U.S. citizen outside the U.S. continental limits. By March 1944, flying the P-51B, Steve increased his confirmed victories to 10, becoming an ace.
However, March 5th, 1944, brought a dramatic turn. His engine began to cough at 22,000 feet, forcing him to turn back. He attempted to bail out around 2,000 feet but had difficulties. Seeing houses below, he decided not to bail out and stayed with the aircraft, crashing and barely missing a barn. He was thrown from the plane and suffered a dislocated arm. Adding to the danger, two German soldiers began shooting at him. At first, he thought they were trying to scare him, but when they hit the vertical stabilizer of his Mustang, he realized they were trying to kill him before he destroyed the aircraft. He escaped into the forest and evaded them.
For five days, Steve wandered the countryside before making contact with the French Resistance. The Resistance, known for publishing underground newspapers, providing intelligence, and helping downed Allied airmen, kept him safe for nearly six months. During this time, he found “brothers in arms”. He even participated in an operation with the Resistance to intercept a German convoy, where he engaged in combat and killed enemy soldiers. He received a decoration from France, the Legion of Honor (initially developed by Napoleon), for his actions. When reflecting on taking a life in combat, Steve stated it was “duty” and “part of the game,” acknowledging that it was difficult but necessary in war.
With the fall of Nazi Europe, Steve was repatriated and ended the war as a highly decorated American ace fighter pilot. He continued to serve in the post-war US Air Force as a test pilot, flying jets like the F-102 Delta Dagger. Later in 1972, fate brought him back to Greece when the Pentagon called, asking him to serve as chief of the Air Force Mission in Athens. He was chosen because the Greek Air Force was looking to buy a new fighter, and he was uniquely qualified: a colonel who could speak Greek, had a fighter pilot background, and Vietnam background (though the source doesn’t specify his Vietnam service, it mentions it as a required background). The US F-4 Phantom was competing against British and French jets. Steve met with Vice President Spiro Agnew, who was also of Greek descent and a WWII veteran. At a meeting with the Greek Prime Minister and Air Force Chief, Agnew highlighted Steve as an example of what Greeks can achieve in America. Steve emphasized the F-4’s combat testing in Vietnam and assured the Greek officials of 20 years of spare parts support from Washington. Ten days later, the Greek Air Force decided to buy 45 Phantoms. The CIA station chief noted that the French “hate your guts” for defeating their Mirages bid.
Steve’s philosophy for success is having a dream, an iron determination, and the critical third item: never give up. He states he has “never” given up. He sees the word “freedom” invisibly written on the American flag. He loves the American flag because it helped him fulfill his dream. The episode concludes by emphasizing that achieving a “bigger life” and success “never comes easily” and always “comes at a price,” requiring “mettle” over material wealth. Steve Pisanos is presented as an example of someone who achieved a life “bigger than himself,” his family, or even his country, because he had the freedom to be who he wanted to be.