Dick Rossi, a Flying Tigers pilot who gained acclaim for downing six Japanese Zeros during the early days of World War II, died of pneumonia in Fallbrook, Calif. He was 92. In November 1941, Rossi joined a secret volunteer group of pilots who would travel to China and defend it against the Japanese. Officially known as the American Volunteer Group, the Chinese referred to the pilots as the Flying Tigers for their combat skills. In December 1941, Rossi and his squadron first engaged the Zeros over Kunming, China, and shot down three of the planes. During their months of combat, the Flying Tigers shot down 296 Japanese planes. In July 1942, seven months after the United States entered the war, the group was disbanded. Rossi spent the rest of the war years working as a pilot for the China National Aviation Corp., delivering supplies from India to China. He made 735 trips over the Himalayas.

Taiwanese essayist Bo Yang, who infuriated both Nationalist and Communist authorities with his tart critiques, has died of lung disease in Taipei. He was 88.

ASSOCIATED PRESS