Race of aces : WWII's elite airmen and the epic battle to become the master of the sky / John R. Bruning.

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  • Additional Information
    • Publication Information:
      First edition.
    • Abstract:
      Summary: 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.
    • Content Notes:
      Warm-ups. The country mouse -- The Buck Rogers diving death ride -- When trouble is your saving grace -- General summons -- The girl with the red umbrella -- The price of a moonlight moment -- Under an Arctic rainbow -- The hero's road -- The man without a place -- New Guinea. When everyone turned a screw -- Mission over Maggot Beach -- The veterans of Nomonhan -- The man with the broken back -- The hero makers -- Contenders. The last bottle of Yellowstone -- Where everything's trying to kill you -- "Rhumba Cardi" -- Duckbutt's groove -- The innocent killers -- Return of the outcast -- The jug driver -- Rebels in thunderbolts -- The new guy -- The original freelancer -- The warrior's path -- Four days in October -- The battering of the pudgys -- The race over Rabaul -- The relentless rogue -- The ignored one -- Off the rails -- Whitehead's flying circus -- Walking with the beast -- The casualties -- Longer-than-long legs -- The two Macs -- The battlefield tourist -- The killing tourist -- Return to the St. Francis -- Reunion -- "Whatever I am, I belong to you." -- Lost perspective -- Getting three for Mac -- We shall always return to each other -- Epilogue.
    • Notes:
      Includes bibliographical references (pages 487-506) and index.
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    • Other Titles:
      Race of aces, World War Two's elite airmen and the epic battle to become the master of the sky. Race of aces, World War 2's elite airmen and the epic battle to become the master of the sky. WWII's elite airmen and the epic battle to become the masters of the sky.
    • ISBN:
      9780316508629
      0316508624
    • Accession Number:
      2019020760
    • Accession Number:
      1101236184
    • Accession Number:
      ccp.1090732