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A review by komet2020
Above the Pacific: Three Medal of Honor Fighter Aces of World War II Speak by Colin Heaton
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
In Above the Pacific, Colin Heaton, a military historian who has interviewed some of the most distinguished aviators (Allied and Axis) of World War II, conducted a series of interviews with 3 Medal of Honor winners who were distinguished fighter aces and leaders during the Pacific War. Two of them --- Gregory "Pappy" Boyington and Joe Foss -- were Marine pilots who had seen considerable combat from China (where Boyington had a combat stint with the American Volunteer Group, aka The Flying Tigers) to the South Pacific.
The third pilot Heaton interviewed was Captain David McCampbell of the U.S. Navy, a prewar graduate of the Naval Academy, who holds the record as the Navy's top ace, having shot down 34 Japanese planes during his combat tour (April - December 1944) with Air Group 15, operating from the carrier Essex. McCampbell distinguished himself in a single action in October 1944, when he and his wingman took on 60 enemy planes intent on attacking the U.S. fleet. During this action, McCampbell shot down 9 planes and his wingman downed 6 of the enemy.
Heaton does a fine job of outlining the various campaigns in which the 3 pilots were involved, as well as identifying the names of some of the officers under whom Boyington, Foss, and McCampbell served during their military careers.
What's more: Above the Pacific is highly readable, with each man given the freedom to speak plainly and honestly about himself and his World War II service and postwar life.
The third pilot Heaton interviewed was Captain David McCampbell of the U.S. Navy, a prewar graduate of the Naval Academy, who holds the record as the Navy's top ace, having shot down 34 Japanese planes during his combat tour (April - December 1944) with Air Group 15, operating from the carrier Essex. McCampbell distinguished himself in a single action in October 1944, when he and his wingman took on 60 enemy planes intent on attacking the U.S. fleet. During this action, McCampbell shot down 9 planes and his wingman downed 6 of the enemy.
Heaton does a fine job of outlining the various campaigns in which the 3 pilots were involved, as well as identifying the names of some of the officers under whom Boyington, Foss, and McCampbell served during their military careers.
What's more: Above the Pacific is highly readable, with each man given the freedom to speak plainly and honestly about himself and his World War II service and postwar life.