Perry Dahl, Who Downed Nine Planes During World War II, Dies at 101

Perry Dahl, Who Downed Nine Planes During World War II, Dies at 101

Col. Perry Dahl, an Army Air Forces fighter pilot who shot down nine enemy aircraft in the Pacific during World War II while surviving emergency landings, a runway crash, a midair bailout and two days in a life raft, died on Dec. 2 at his home in Tampa, Fla. He was 101. His death was confirmed by Chris Dahl, his grandson. Colonel Dahl was only 5 feet 4 inches tall and needed extra seat cushions to reach the pedals of his plane. But his exploits …