Eugene W. “Gene” Roddenberry, who was born in El Paso, Texas, is best known as the creator of the Star Trek television series. However, during World War II he received pilot training at Kelly Field and flew the B-17 Flying Fortress on 89 combat missions in the South Pacific. Inspired by the adventurous spirit of so many aviators and scientists, Roddenberry left flying to pursue writing what would become a popular television show and series of feature films.