Adrian Warburton
British World War II pilot
Died when: 26 years 33 days (313 months)Star Sign: Pisces
Adrian "Warby" Warburton, DSO* DFC** (10 March 1918 – 12 April 1944) was a Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot and flying ace of the Second World War.
He became legendary in the RAF for his role in the defence of Malta and was described by the then Air Officer Commanding in Chief Middle East, Air Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder, as "the most important pilot in the RAF".
Warburton was also awarded a United States DFC.Described as 'Six-medal Warburton', all of Warby's gallantry awards were earned while operating from Malta.
He remains the most highly decorated RAF photo-reconnaissance pilot of all time.His life and work has been depicted in the books Warburton's War by Tony Spooner, and Malta's Greater Siege & Adrian Warburton DSO* DFC** DFC (USA) by Paul McDonald.
Warburton was also the subject of the BBC Timewatch documentary The Mystery of the Missing Ace.The 1953 film Malta Story features a photo-reconnaissance pilot who may be based on Warburton.
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