Reaper Leader: The Life of Jimmy Flatley

by Steve Ewing

Although Jimmy Flatley had much to do with the U.S. victory over Japan, few outside the close-knit naval aviation community have heard his colorful story. A naval hero in every sense of the word according to former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral James L. Holloway III, Flatley was a formidable fighter pilot in combat, an inspiring leader, and a gifted operational planner. Flatley's combination of talents are fully examined in this biography and reveal why he was so vital to the war effort. Known to his squadron mates at Guadalcanal as "Reaper Leader" Flatley--with Jimmy Thach and Butch O'Hare--was instrumental in communicating tactical advice throughout naval aviation and changing the perception that the supposedly inferior F4F Wildcat fighter was actually superior to the Japanese Zero when properly utilized. His biographer, Steve Ewing, also explains how Flatley's combat experience established the credibility necessary for a middle grade officer to initiate sweeping changes in naval aviation both at the front and with the entrenched naval establishment.
The author credits Flatley's persistence and credibility for successes at Guadalcanal, Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. In post-war years these same qualities helped him make naval aviation what it is today by again challenging the status quo and effecting sweeping and significant changes in naval aviation safety. This biography is the second in a planned naval aviation trilogy that when complete will include the three notable carrier fighter tacticians in the Pacific war--Thach, O'Hare, and Flatley.

Genres: Aviation

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2002

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings to life the legacy of one of the most important Naval Aviators and tacticians to fly and fight in WWII from Pearl Harbor to the surrender of Japan. This book brings him to life from outracing police cars in San Diego to escape aboard the ferry to North Island to naming the "Thach Weave", founding the famed "Grim Reapers" and later creating the "Blue Blanket" of fighters that decimated Japanese air power in latter months of WWII.

[Butch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indepth look at one of the leading VF, fighter pilot leaders of the Pacific War. Shows his incredible impact on the Navy of yesterday and today.