rlmorel, The A4 is indeed an attack aircraft with its primary purpose as delivering ordanance against ground targets. The A4 also carries air to air missiles and is capable of engaging another fighter. Best tool for the job? Not at all, but it had the capability and as such, the pilots are trained in air to air combat – a fighter’s role.
The accurate statement would be more akin to “an attack/fighter aircraft pilot”. To call him a fighter pilot isn’t absolutely 100% factual but neither is classifying him as an attack pilot. To quibble over one or the other definition is ridiculous.
I was a submariner of which you could be either an attack boat sailor or a boomer sailor. I was on an attack boat but I identify myself as a submarine sailor without worrying about the nitpicking.
In the end, he went into combat as he was ordered, did his duty and unfortunately for him suffered shootdown/crash related injuries and even more horrific; torture (physical and psychological), confinement and near zero medical attention. He is a Naval Aviator, maybe that definition is good enough. It is to me.
