Aces High: The Heroic Saga of the Two Top-Scoring American Aces of World War II
Bill Yenne. New York: Berkley, 2009. Illus. Bib. Append. Index. 348 pp. $25.95.
Fighter pilots captured the heart of America from the earliest days of World War II. A pilot who won five air-to-air battles was designated an "ace," a term that originated during World War I in French newspapers. Aces High is the story of two Army Air Corps pilots who rose to become true public icons.
The prologue to Aces High summarizes the rise of aerial warfare from its genesis in World War I, when fighter pilots were their own breed, "fighting one another man to man like the knights of the medieval tournament." Part I describes the early years of Richard "Dick" Bong, a corn-fed Kansas lad, and Thomas "Tommy" McGuire, a fast talker born in New Jersey, and their respective training paths to the P-38 Lightnings they flew so skillfully.
Yenne traces both pilots' flight careers and follows the conduct of the Pacific air war from December 1942 to December 1944, giving us the necessary background to the specific dogfights described. By March 1944, checking "box scores" of the two super aces became a pastime like watching baseball, and there was "growing notoriety" and tension incident to the victories of the two pilots.
Part III contains a remembrance to famous American aviators and includes Yenne's remark that "no American ace will ever match the score of these two heroes." Neither pilot saw the age of 26. Tommy McGuire was killed in action in January 1945, and Dick Bong died in August of that year testing a P-80 jet fighter.
The appendices to this enjoyable book list the cumulative kills of the two premier aces (a total of 40 for Bong and 38 for McGuire) and their Medal of Honor citations.
Wired for War: The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the 21st Century
P. W. Singer. New York: Penguin Press, 2009. Illus. Notes. Index. 512 pp. $29.95.
It is common knowledge that thousands of robotic systems have been used to conduct the war in Iraq, and terrorists in Afghanistan are being attacked by operators and pilots based in Nevada. Here, an accomplished historian and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution argues that robotics is likely to be the most far-reaching instrument of change in warfare since the development of the atomic bomb.
In an opening note, the author admits his long-standing fascination with war, even as a six-year-old. Only later did he grasp its human costs while on a UN fact-finding mission in Bosnia. This latest work came about after Singer decided that comprehensive analytical study must be devoted to serious questions surrounding robotics in war and what happens when "humankind's monopoly" over warfare is broken.
Singer begins with a short history of robotics and moves on to describe the next wave of "warbots" and the unbelieving "refuseniks." Part II includes chapters on how to fight with robots, the effect of new technologies on leadership, and robot ethics.
I was fascinated by the chapter on Vice Admiral Arthur Cebrowski—whom I knew and admired—and the much-lauded revolution in military affairs that he spearheaded. Singer sharply criticizes network-centric advocates, judging them to be right about the huge changes taking place in warfare, but wrong about practically everything else. By focusing exclusively on the 1990s Internet boom, Singer believes they ignored what troops in the field were saying and "far more important developments in technology just coming to fruition."
Wired for War has already garnered many knowledgeable and high-ranking fans. Marine General James Mattis has called it "superb," and former Navy Secretary Richard Danzig finds it to be "lively, penetrating, and wise." It is a must-read for military professionals.
The U.S. Naval Academy in Postcards, 1900-1930
Randall W. Bannister. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2009. Illus. Bib. Index. 196 pp. $39.99.
One hundred years ago, U.S. Naval Academy leaders were absorbed in the most remarkable period of growth and change since the school's founding in 1845. The Annapolis campus, commonly known as "The Yard," was expanded markedly; old and dilapidated buildings were replaced with new ones befitting an institution of its caliber and national importance. Along with splendid artwork and photography of this key period, readers of Bannister's book can view Academy life and surroundings when midshipmen such as Nimitz, Halsey, King, Spruance, and Burke studied there.
The author offers a splendid pictorial history in an elegant coffee-table book. Already an avid collector, some 20 years ago Bannister came across a copy of Shipmate, the Academy's alumni magazine, adorned front and back with photos of old postcards. He was hooked.
Bannister gives a brief history of the Academy up to 1930 and a list of its many postcard publishers. Beginning with "The Yard of the Late Nineteenth Century" and "Architect's Concept of the New Academy," ensuing chapters portray significant points of interest, athletics, and midshipmen training. To accomplish his enormous, self-imposed task, Bannister, a retired Navy captain, tracked down and gathered more than 475 postcards produced between 1900 and 1930.
Chapter 11 is an especially delightful presentation of novelty cards such as "Navy Girls" and Academy pennants, as well as homemade hand-drawn versions. In addition, there are extensive assortments of photographic and cartoon postcards.
This impressive record of renaissance years at the Yard required painstaking research and, no doubt, the patience of Job. Bannister has done great service to his alma mater, fellow alumni, and Naval Academy fans like me.
The Lady Gangster: A Sailor's Memoir
Del Staecker. Brule, WI: Cable Publishing, 2009. Illus. Addend. 173 pp. $23.95.
About 40 years ago, author Del Staecker asked his father, "will you tell me what you did in the war?" Irvin Staecker's answer is this first-hand account of his service from 1941 to 1945 on board the USS Fuller (AT-4, later APA-7). She was an attack transport nicknamed "The Lady Gangster" by a crew made up largely of Chicagoans like Irvin.
In 32 concise chapters, this book retells conversations Del and Irvin had in 1967. Irvin's accounts are printed in italics, mixed with Del's recollections of their talks and what he subsequently learned from his dad's notes, ship journals, and additional research.
Following amphibious exercises on the West Coast, the Fuller's unseasoned crewmen were quite proud of themselves. But Irvin noted, "Reality set in when one of the veterans reminded us that nobody had been shooting at us." Sure enough, the Fuller departed shortly for extended duty that would include dodging submarines and suicide planes in the North Atlantic and South Pacific.
"Refugees and Wolfpacks" describes a run to Glasgow to pick up refugees. "From the time we left Scotland, we were on constant watch for periscope wakes and torpedoes." The ship went to a Norfolk yard for repairs and upgrades, unaware that she was headed back out to the Pacific to "land troops and be shot at quite often."
"Saipan and the New War" relates Irvin's experience as a newly promoted first-class boatswain's mate with the Fuller beach party. "We came under fire from all kinds of weapons—rifles, machine guns, mortars, and artillery. I felt I'd be lucky to see the next day's light."
Written in an atypical yet appealing style, The Lady Gangster is a spirited tale that has already attracted numerous readers.