Milton Rubenfeld

Milton Rubenfeld (; September 13, 1919 – February 21, 2004) was an American 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 (née Yormark, 1891–1958) and Louis Rubenfeld (1884–1937). His parents were both immigrants from Polish Galicia. 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.

Flying for Israel

In February 1948, the Haganah set up an agency in the United States headed by Hyman Shechtman (later, Shamir) assisted by Al Schwimmer, to recruit U.S. combat air veterans, both aircrew and ground crew, for the Haganah's "Air Service". Knowing of Rubenfeld's combat experience, Shamir approached him in early 1948 and asked him if he wanted to fly for the new state of Israel. Rubenfeld — "a small, swarthy former USAF pilot, so cocky he seemed to swagger even while sitting down" —agreed. (Rubenfeld and Lenart were the two U.S. citizens in this group.) These five pilots finished the course in Czechoslovakia and, on May 20, 1948, reported to their base in Ekron Air Base (now Tel Nof Airbase) in Israel. In fact, there were many inherent design and performance defects with the Avia S-199, including a defect that rendered the cowl guns unsynchronized with the propeller, causing bullet damage to the propeller (which the first group of pilots luckily did not experience).

Despite its being widely reported, this version of events might have been a legend that simply "went viral" in its day. In an interview nearly 50 years later, Rubenfeld said that he couldn't remember what he was shouting, but that the moshavniks were indeed shooting at him. It is logical to assume that he said something to them to convince them not to hurt him, but it might have been less (or more) colorful than what was reported.

Impact on the war

As noted, the actions of Rubenfeld and the other four initial pilots had a profound effect on the conduct of the war. The enemy was evidently so surprised by the presence of the little air force, that they stopped their advance toward Tel Aviv, Israel, which bought time for the rest of Israel's forces (which had a large contingent of foreign fighters, or machalniks) to become better organized.

In addition, Milt Rubenfeld's mission had an immediate benefit for the moshavniks of Kfar Vitkin, Israel. They were able to salvage and mount the guns from Rubenfeld's downed fighter, which they used for their defense.

Personal life Rubenfeld returned to the United States soon after this mission, to receive follow-up medical care. He married a few years later; he and his wife, Judy (Rosen), had three children, with his family living first in Oneonta, New York, then Sarasota, Florida. Forty years after his mission, Milt and Judy were cast as "atmosphere characters" (extras) in their son Paul Reubens' 1988 movie, Big Top Pee-wee.

Milt Rubenfeld died in Sarasota on February 21, 2004, at the age of 84.