Clipper Kirk was a daredevil air ace who fought against the Axis and other would-be enemies of America. When he was presumed dead after a particularly vicious battle, Clipper decided to remain officially dead and adopted the costumed identity of the Phantom Falcon in order to bring his would-be assassins to justice. When he was able to put them away, he decided to act as Phantom Falcon 24/7. After World War II ended, he adopted the civilian identity of Chet Horne and became an assistant to the Chief of Police. He was quite brutal and would kill criminals to stop them.