From School to Sky: Joseph's Tale of War

by George Halpern

Weeks after the outbreak of World War II, Joseph Halpern's Polish town, Vladimir Volynsky, in what is now part of Ukraine, was annexed by the Russians. Because of his high intelligence, mechanical prowess, and athletic ability, he was soon hand-picked to be an air cadet. On June 22, 1941, Hitler broke his pact with Stalin and launched Operation Barbarossa, an all-out attack on Russia. Halpern became a fighter pilot for the Russian Air Force, serving the Allies in trying to bring down the Nazi regime. Later on, Halpern became a special forces commando; trained in martial arts, to withstand torture, see in the dark, hear whispers, disappear in a crowd, and kill with his hands. He was shot down four times, and after cheating death on many occasions (and receiving many military honours), following World War II, he founded the Herzl Orphanage, and helped create the Israeli Air Force. He finally came to Canada and was reunited with his parents he had presumed were dead. He went on to a distinguished career with RCA Victor and the University of Ottawa. Joseph Israel Halpern played a crucial role in NASA's Apollo missions. His initials, JIH, remain carved onto a battery that is still on the moon.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

200 pages, Paperback

Published December 27, 2021

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband was a man of many talents. Ideas and inspirations, like flashbulbs, were constantly going off in his brain. Usually they were motivated by a need to accomplish a goal, improve something, or to help someone. When confronted by a challenge Joe never said no, but never cross him, he would have his revenge.
All of these qualities and more are apparent in "From School to Sky: Joseph"s Tale of War" George Halpern has written a magnificent portrait. Read this book to get accurate well researched insights into a man, an era, and a world order. Pass It On.