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U.S. Landmark Books #96
Great American Fighter Pilots of World War II
Author Robert Loomis presents a vivid, sweeping picture of the war fought by our ace fighter pilots from Pearl Harbor to China, from Casablanca to Berlin.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1961
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 29, 2019
I'm reliving my childhood be re-reading Landmark Books on American history. The only fault I found with this one is the author didn't include an appendix listing the final tallies of America's WWII fighter aces.
As a Navy veteran I remain perplexed by David McCampbell's failure to retire as an Admiral. He was a Naval Academy graduate and the Navy's leading ace and the nation's 3rd highest leader with 34 aerial victories. He was awarded both the MOH and a Navy Cross (along with a Silver Star and three DFC's) and was the highest-scoring American ace to survive WWII. Following the war he served as Executive Officer on the carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt then went on to command an oiler and the carrier Bon Homme Richard. McCampbell attended, then taught at the Armed Forces Staff College, and served two years with the Joint Chiefs of Staff before his retirement as a Captain. A Captain? After 31 years of service and honors and commands McCampbell never made flag rank? That's hard to figure.
As a Navy veteran I remain perplexed by David McCampbell's failure to retire as an Admiral. He was a Naval Academy graduate and the Navy's leading ace and the nation's 3rd highest leader with 34 aerial victories. He was awarded both the MOH and a Navy Cross (along with a Silver Star and three DFC's) and was the highest-scoring American ace to survive WWII. Following the war he served as Executive Officer on the carrier Franklin D. Roosevelt then went on to command an oiler and the carrier Bon Homme Richard. McCampbell attended, then taught at the Armed Forces Staff College, and served two years with the Joint Chiefs of Staff before his retirement as a Captain. A Captain? After 31 years of service and honors and commands McCampbell never made flag rank? That's hard to figure.
September 9, 2012
I think I read this twice a year from grades 2-4, I loved it.
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June 5, 2022DNF
An interestingly dated view of WWII pilots. This is a casual chronicling WWII combat aviation and action-packed dogfights, likely aimed towards young men and boys in 1960s America. It's not very detailed and follows subjects in a voice more narrative than technical or descriptive. If you were looking for an exciting view of combat from the cockpit, you will have to look elsewhere.
What I found most interesting was the vintage patriotic 1960s American voice, one that is outdated and typically frowned upon at present (for good reason). "Our boys" take to the skies and "we" win battles instead of American soldiers; Japanese soldiers are referred to as "Japs"; the rest is what you'd expect. The voice in itself is worth examining to understand how World War II and the collective experience of war shaped several generations. It's curious to consider how different our world is today, from that in which young males read books about their fathers' courageous patriotism, fighting to the bloody end with unfamiliar cultures from across the world.
An interestingly dated view of WWII pilots. This is a casual chronicling WWII combat aviation and action-packed dogfights, likely aimed towards young men and boys in 1960s America. It's not very detailed and follows subjects in a voice more narrative than technical or descriptive. If you were looking for an exciting view of combat from the cockpit, you will have to look elsewhere.
What I found most interesting was the vintage patriotic 1960s American voice, one that is outdated and typically frowned upon at present (for good reason). "Our boys" take to the skies and "we" win battles instead of American soldiers; Japanese soldiers are referred to as "Japs"; the rest is what you'd expect. The voice in itself is worth examining to understand how World War II and the collective experience of war shaped several generations. It's curious to consider how different our world is today, from that in which young males read books about their fathers' courageous patriotism, fighting to the bloody end with unfamiliar cultures from across the world.
February 8, 2019
Found in the library of Brooklands Elementary School of Rochester, Michigan circa 1969, this book started my lifelong interest in military history, particularly the World War II variety.
It's intended for young readers, and I can't help but recommend it for elementary-age children, as it was certainly a potent catalyst in my own story.
It's intended for young readers, and I can't help but recommend it for elementary-age children, as it was certainly a potent catalyst in my own story.
March 22, 2025
Excellent look at fighter pilots in both theaters of war. It went back and forth between the two but it was an easy transition. I plan to follow up on a few of the pilots. It was great to learn more about individuals who made a huge contribution. They were amazing men.
November 9, 2023
I must've read this book 1000 times when I was a boy and just recently I read Big Week, about the Allied destruction of Luftwaffe which allowed D-Day to succeed.
February 10, 2025
Good for what it is, but it is an old, simplistic overview of WW2 US fighter pilots and most major battles written for young adults.
December 1, 2016
I probably read this book over a hundred times when I was a kid, checking it out repeatedly from the Lexington-Napoleon library in rural Missouri. I will never forget my childhood heroes Richard Bong and David McCampbell. Excellent "boy" history. Love it.
June 24, 2014
A great book for any young student getting started in learning about WWII and specifically about fighter pilots and specific battles. An easy and enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews