17. Douglas Bader became an ace despite having lost both of his legs before the war
Douglas Bader first joined the RAF in 1928, achieving Pilot Officer status two years later. He quickly developed the reputation of being a daredevil, contemptuous of regulations limiting acrobatic flying at lower altitudes. In 1931 he engaged in some acrobatics which led to a crash causing significant injuries. Both of his legs were amputated, one above the knee and the other just below. After recovering, and being fitted with artificial legs, Bader attempted to remain in the RAF, with flying status. In 1933, over his vehement objections, he received a medical retirement from the service. When World War II began he successfully lobbied to be returned to active service.
Bader received credit for 22 aerial victories and several probable victories in the Battle of France and Battle of Britain. In August, 1941, he became the victim of a German fighter, bailing out over occupied France. He had to detach one of his artificial legs to free himself from the aircraft. The Germans provided another by special request from England, and Bader became such a persistent escape artist he eventually found himself imprisoned at Colditz Castle. He remained there until the American Army liberated the camp in 1945. When Bader died of a heart attack in 1982, German ace and former adversary Adolf Galland attended his funeral.