A Young Man in the Wild Blue Yonder: Thoughts of A B-25 Pilot in World War II

by David K. Hayward

David Hayward, a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps, takes the reader through his adventures and challenges as a young man serving his country in World War II. Would he "wash out" of flying school? Would he survive the dangers and fears of flying 53 combat missions as pilot of a B-25 medium bomber in the China-Burma-India Theater of operations? You will experience the thrill of his solo flight, the frightening day when a Japanese fighter plane flew alongside, an awesome flight over the highest mountains of Tibet, searching for an enemy transmitter luring friendly cargo planes off course, attacking enemy supply lines in Burma and along the east coast of China, and the sorrow of losing close friends. David Hayward tells of serving at Air Force Headquarters in Washington, DC, transporting VIPs on their inspection tours, and as courier to Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall. The reader will join Hayward in developing a veterans association and gathering at annual reunions, and making six return trips to China to relive the pleasant and the sorrowful. This story is illustrated with 119 images and conveys the thoughts and concerns of David Hayward through his most unusual experience.

274 pages, Paperback

First published December 16, 2013

Reviews

[Emily (Heinlen) Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was interesting to hear these stories from someone who had lived them. I highly recommend this book for history classes, high school and college.