Walter J. Boyne (February 2, 1929 – January 9, 2020) was an American USAF officer, command pilot, combat veteran, aviation historian and author. He wrote more than 50 books and over 1,000 magazine articles. While most of his books were non-fiction, Boyne wrote some works of fiction, including "" (1986). Boyne served as director of the National Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institution. He was also chairman of the National Aeronautic Association.