Live Bait: WWII Memoirs of an Undefeated Fighter Ace

by Clayton Kelly Gross

This is the story of a young man, who was typical of much of American youth during the 1920s and 1930s.

Clayton Kelly Gross became enamored of aviation at an early age, building model airplanes from balsa wood and devouring every issue of 'G-8 and His Battle Aces' he could get his hands on. His dream was to be a fighter pilot.

With America's entry into the Second World War, Gross joined the United States Army Air Force as an Aviation Cadet. Upon successful completion of training, he graduated with the Class of 42-H.

Gross went on to fly fighters with the 354th Fighter Group in Europe. He flew numerous combat missions between 1943 and 1945, became an ace, and survived the war. This is his story, told in his own words.

309 pages, Hardcover

First published March 27, 2006

Reviews

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging memoir of a true flying ace.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strap on a P 51 Mustang, the greatest fighter plane of the ETO and fly into combat with one of the 354th fighter groups fighter aces.
The 354th FG was the 1st to fly the Mustang in combat in the late fall of 1943 and holds many air combat records including the most air to air victories, 701.