Milton Rubenfeld

Milton Rubenfeld (; September 13, 1919 – February 21, 2004) was a pilot who flew for the Royal Air Force and U.S. Army during World War II, later becoming one of the five founding pilots of the Israeli Air Force in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. It is widely believed that Rubenfeld, the other four volunteer pilots, and the other machalniks changed the course of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. He was injured and returned to the United States, and settled in New York state, where he married and owned a local business with his wife, Judy. Later, he moved his family to Sarasota, Florida, where he and his wife owned another successful business until he retired. He died in 2004. He was the father of actor/comedian Paul Reubens, who was known for creating and portraying the character Pee-wee Herman. Early life Rubenfeld was born in Peekskill, New York, the fourth of six children of Orthodox Jewish parents, Gussie (Yormark) and Louis Rubenfeld. Rubenfeld was an Eagle Scout, a student in New York University and the University of New Mexico (where he also hunted rattlesnakes), and taught aerobatics. When World War II broke out in Europe, he wanted to fly combat missions; however, the United States was not yet in the war. Rubenfeld decided to fly with the Royal Air Force in England, with the 420 Squadron. When the United States declared war on Germany, Rubenfeld signed on as a pilot with the U.S. Army. He flew as a ferry pilot for the Air Transport Command. Flying for Israel