On Sunday, October 10, 1965, Snoopy’s imaginary life soared to new heights as his doghouse was transformed into a Sopwith Camel airplane, and he took on the nefarious Red Baron in the skies over Europe. Schulz, who served as a sergeant in the army, had always wanted to draw adventure comic strips, but he was told to stick with what he did best - funny kids. After 15 years, Schulz finally had an opportunity to create his adventure action hero: Snoopy, the World War I Flying Ace.

Although the Peanuts kids are puzzled by his antics in the beginning, Snoopy’s imaginary battles with the Red Baron eventually drew the rest of the Gang into his fantasy world. In one strip, the “brave” Flying Ace retreats from a rainy nighttime mission to join his owner in bed, where Charlie Brown dryly quips, “I smell a wet pilot.” In another strip, Lucy disapproves of Snoopy’s pilot act. He responds in typical Flying Ace fashion by casting her in the role of the “lovely lass” and cavalierly administering a kiss - SMAK! - in response to her criticism. The Flying Ace is discouraged by no one, except occasionally the Red Baron.

Snoopy’s Flying Ace adventures continued over the years. He became the Lone Beagle flying over “No Man’s Land,” faced a bout of deadly influenza, and even survived a stint in prison. By the 1990s, the act was starting to wear thin with Charlie Brown, who vacillated between wishing for a more normal pet and going along with the fantasy. Yet the chronicle of the Flying Ace’s adventures continues to exemplify one of Snoopy’s - and Schulz’s - most endearing flights of fancy.