Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen is better known as the World War I fighter pilot ace, The Red Baron. Richthofen flew for the German Air Force and is considered the best-known fighter pilot of all time. He is credited with 80 air combat victories during the war. Richthofen’s plane was painted red and was known in Germany as Der Rote Kampfflieger, which translates into ‘The Red Battle Flyer’ or ‘The Red Fighter Pilot.’ Freiherr, signifying nobility, translates to ‘baron,’ earning the nickname ‘The Red Baron.’ Richthofen was shot during mid-air combat, and his plane crashed. It is suspected he was hit by ground fire and was dead before the crash. He was 25 years old.