Orchestra piece about WWII pilot?

My mum is a music teacher, and she brought home a paper about a particular piece that was written about a pilot who was shot down during WWII. There was even a story about the conductor not giving the audience the back-story, and then a veteran having to leave because the song brought back memories. I really wanted to listen to it, but I forgot the name! I know this is really general (sorry!) but does this sound familiar? Anybody know the name?