Air Vice Marshal William Ernest Staton (1898–1983) was a highly decorated British airman whose military career spanned both World Wars. He first achieved prominence during the First World War as a flying ace, credited with twenty-six aerial victories. Following the establishment of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1918, Staton transferred to the new service and continued his military career throughout the inter-war period.\n\nDuring the Second World War, Staton served in England, where he made significant tactical contributions by pioneering the pathfinder bombing technique, which utilized specialized crews to mark targets for subsequent waves of bombers. He was later deployed to the Far East, where he was captured and held as a prisoner of war by Japanese forces.\n\nAfter the conclusion of the war, Staton returned to Great Britain and resumed his service with the RAF, eventually achieving air rank. In his later years, he also distinguished himself in sports, twice serving as the captain of the British Olympic Shooting Team.
