Jungle Ace

Download or read book Race of Aces written by John R Bruning and published by Hachette Books. This book was released on 2020-01-14 with total page 534 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The astonishing untold story of the WWII airmen who risked it all in the deadly race to become the greatest American fighter pilot. In 1942, America's deadliest fighter pilot, or "ace of aces" -- the legendary Eddie Rickenbacker -- offered a bottle of bourbon to the first U.S. fighter pilot to break his record of twenty-six enemy planes shot down. Seizing on the challenge to motivate his men, General George Kenney promoted what they would come to call the "race of aces" as a way of boosting the spirits of his war-weary command. What developed was a wild three-year sprint for fame and glory, and the chance to be called America's greatest fighter pilot. The story has never been told until now. Based on new research and full of revelations, John Bruning's brilliant, original book tells the story of how five American pilots contended for personal glory in the Pacific while leading Kenney's resurgent air force against the most formidable enemy America ever faced. The pilots -- Richard Bong, Tommy McGuire, Neel Kearby, Charles MacDonald and Gerald Johnson -- riveted the nation as they contended for Rickenbacker's crown. As their scores mounted, they transformed themselves from farm boys and aspiring dentists into artists of the modern dogfight. But as the race reached its climax, some of the pilots began to see how the spotlight warped their sense of duty. They emerged as leaders, beloved by their men as they chose selfless devotion over national accolades. Teeming with action all across the vast Pacific theater, Race of Aces is a fascinating exploration of the boundary between honorable duty, personal glory, and the complex landscape of the human heart. "Brings you into the cockpit of the lethal, fast-paced world of fighter pilots . . . Fascinating." -- Sara Vladic"Extraordinary . . . a must-read." -- US Navy Captain Dan Pedersen"A heart-pounding narrative of the courage, sacrifice, and tragedy of America's elite fighter pilots." -- James M. Scott"Vivid and gripping . . . Confirms Bruning's status as the premier war historian of the air." -- Saul David

Download or read book Jungle Ace written by John R. Bruning and published by Potomac Books, Inc.. This book was released on 2011 with total page 410 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Flying P-38s, Jerry Johnson shot down 24 aircraft in 265 combat missions in the Pacific theater. At the age of only twenty-four, he commanded the highest-scoring fighter group in the Pacific. Tragically, though Johnson had survived three combat tours, which included a mid-air collision with a Japanese aircraft and being shot down by friendly fire, the new father disappeared without a trace while flying a courier mission one month after the war’s end.

Download or read book Hardiguards written by Allen H. Shahri and published by Ali H. Shahri. This book was released on 2020-02-02 with total page 369 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Hardiguards are two-legged creatures, covered by layers of scales to protect them against severe conditions on the planet. To obey the Holy Mountain, they need to make the region green and grow their population. Ace is a young Hardiguard bound to his own vices causing a tragic accident and fails to gain his community's trust. He is the first person who receives the most severe punishment for his fault, leading him to leave his people and seek refuge near the Holy Mountain. Living near a mysterious mountain with absolute power not only influences Ace but also requires the residents to obey its commands. Ace's life takes a turn from the harsh experiences he encounters, overcoming his fears and doubts. He dares to unravel the mysteries of the mountain, only to discover his own disillusionment and save the one he loves. Hardiguards find that the summit is now a source of chaos and contradiction, as they meet their sophisticated creators face to face and discover the truth behind their creation...

Download or read book Black Sheep Ace written by Sammy Anson Pierce and published by Fulton Books, Inc.. This book was released on 2022-05-06 with total page 441 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Black Sheep Ace is the exciting life story of Sammy Alpheus Pierce, a country boy from rural North Carolina who enlisted in the Army as a private first class and was accepted to pilot training as a young, enlisted man. Upon graduation, he was promoted to the newly created rank of flying sergeant and assigned to fly fighter airplanes. During World War II, over 2,500 enlisted Army men graduated from pilot training and became flying sergeants. Sammy was one of only eighteen who shot down five or more enemy airplanes and achieved the status of ace. His memoirs recount his highs and lows during pilot training and his experiences in the 8th Fighter Squadron, one of three fighter squadrons in the 49th Fighter Group in the Pacific Theater. Sammy was forced to bail out of a P-40 Warhawk behind Japanese lines in October 1943. He was seriously injured and had to evade two thousand Japanese soldiers as well as native cannibals and headhunters to reach an Australian beachhead on the northeast coast of New Guinea. Following surgery in Sydney, Australia, Sammy returned to the United States for rehabilitation. When he returned to flying status, he became an instructor and test pilot in P-51 Mustangs, where he came closer to dying in an airplane incident than at any time in combat. Sammy was recalled to the 49th Fighter Group in October 1944 for a second tour and was again assigned to the 8th Fighter Squadron. He arrived when his squadron was converting to P-38 Lightnings in preparation for General Douglas MacArthur's return to the Philippines. Sammy recounts hell on earth at Tacloban Airfield on Leyte Island, the most difficult and dangerous days of the entire war for the pilots and personnel of the 49th Fighter Group. His memoirs take the reader through the Philippines campaign to Okinawa and, finally, the surrender of Japan.

Download or read book Animal Survival written by Lori Hile and published by Capstone Classroom. This book was released on 2011-01-01 with total page 58 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Learn about animals who have survived in disasterous conditions.

Download or read book Tropical Fish Hobbyist written by and published by . This book was released on 1995 with total page 528 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Flying Greek written by Col. Steve N. Pisanos, USAF (Ret.) and published by Potomac Books, Inc.. This book was released on 2008-04-30 with total page 365 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Steve N. Pisanos's The Flying Greek is both the classic tale of an immigrant's bond with America and an aerial adventure. When young Pisanos arrived in the U.S. in 1938, he worked, studied English, and learned to fly. He earned a private pilot's license in 1941, and soon after Germany invaded Greece, he volunteered for the embattled British Royal Air Force. He served with the 268 and 71 Eagle Squadrons. The 71 Eagle Squadron was one of three Eagle squadrons comprised of U.S. volunteers. In 1942, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen while in London, England. He was the first individual in American history to become a citizen while outside the U.S. border, and his becoming a citizen allowed him to be commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Forces. In riveting detail, Pisanos recounts his combat record, from fighter sweeps and bomber escort missions to dogfighting, flying the Spitfire, the P-47, and the P-51. While flying a P-47 named Miss Plainfield, he scored his first aerial victory on May 21, 1943. By January 1, 1944, he had become an ace. After his tenth confirmed kill, he crash-landed his P-51 in France and spent six months with the French Resistance, successfully evading capture. Because of his exposure to the French operations, the Air Force could not risk his capture again, so he returned to the U.S. and became a test pilot at Wright Field where he also attended the Air Force's test pilot school. Despite grave danger, Pisanos set aside his pride, fears, and misgivings to help achieve a greater good. The Flying Greek is an entertaining and remarkable journey that will interest historians and aviation enthusiasts.