Brig. Gen. (res.) Giora "Epstein" Even, the most successful fighter pilot in the history of the Israeli Air Force, died on Saturday at the age of 87.
Even, who began his military career in a rear-echelon position and rose to become a living legend, downed 17 enemy aircraft over the course of three wars, earning him international recognition as the world's top jet-age ace. Over his service, he amassed 9,000 flight hours.
A rocky road to the cockpit
Born in 1938 and raised on Kibbutz Negba, Even was inspired early on by watching Air Force training exercises near his home. He completed basic training during the 1956 Sinai Campaign and went on to serve in the Air Force's Ordnance Corps. Twice rejected from flight school on medical grounds, an enlarged heart and low pulse from athletic activity, he refused to give up.
After volunteering for the Paratroopers Brigade and completing the squad commanders' course, he was assigned as a parachuting instructor. Discharged in 1959, he returned to agricultural work on the kibbutz, but re-enlisted three years later. He finally appealed the earlier flight school rejections and was accepted, seven years after his initial enlistment.
Even graduated flight school with honors in 1963, initially assigned to the 124th Helicopter Squadron. Unhappy with the placement, he refused to fly and appealed directly to then-Air Force commander Ezer Weizman, who reassigned him to a fighter squadron. He began in the 113th Squadron and later flew Super Mystère aircraft.
Seventeen aerial kills across three wars
Even's first confirmed kill came during the 1967 Six-Day War, when he shot down an Egyptian Sukhoi jet. As deputy squadron commander during the 1967–1970 War of Attrition, he recorded four more kills.
His greatest combat success came during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, when he downed 12 aircraft: seven MiG-21s, two Sukhoi-7s, two Sukhoi-20s, and a Mil Mi-8 helicopter. For his actions, he was awarded the Medal of Distinguished Service.
Following the war, he was appointed commander of the 117th Squadron, which flew Mirage III fighters. His aircraft bore 17 kill markings, symbolized by Xs. He retired from active duty in 1977 and began flying for El Al. In reserve service, he commanded the 254th Squadron and retrained on the F-16 fighter jet.
Even's 17 kills made him the world's top jet ace, a distinction he held until his death. In recognition of his achievements, the Israel Defense Forces promoted him to brigadier general in a 2018 ceremony at Air Force Headquarters, led by then-IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot and Air Force commander Amikam Norkin.
At 79, Even published a memoir detailing his many combat experiences as a fighter pilot.
