Aces High: The Heroic Saga of the Two Top-Scoring American Aces of World War II
by Bill Yenne
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Book Summary Information
Author: Bill YenneEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2010-02-02
ISBN: 0425232301
Number of pages: 368
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Book Reviews of Aces High: The Heroic Saga of the Two Top-Scoring American Aces of World War II
Book Review: birds of prey
Summary: 3 Stars
USAAF Majors Richard "Dick" Ira Bong and Thomas "Tommy" Buchanan McGuire Jr., shared many things in common: both were born in 1920, qualified as pilots in 1943 and both were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. What the book does is going beyond those, presenting two parallel biographies simultaneously, such were the many coincidences in their trajectory throughout WWII.
The author successfully put both aces side-by-side since their births , growing thru the Depression years and being bitten by the "Flight bug" with Lindberg's 1927 solo crossing of the Atlantic, their careers as the top aces of the USAAF in the Pacific theater and finally their untimely deaths in 1945. However, several things were missed by Mr. Yenne, namely: there are no photos of Marilynn McGuire (Pudgy) and not a single interview with other American flyers that fought alongside both Bong and McGuire in the 49th and 475th FGs respectively.
Summary of Aces High: The Heroic Saga of the Two Top-Scoring American Aces of World War II
They were two of the greatest heroes of World War II. But only one could be top gun...Capturing the hearts of a beleaguered nation, the fighter pilots of World War II engaged in a kind of battle that became the stuff of legend-and those who survived showdowns earned the right to be called aces. But two men in particular rose to become something more.
Richard "Dick" Bong was a bashful, pink-faced farm boy from the Midwest. Thomas "Tommy" McGuire was a wise-cracking, fast-talking kid from New Jersey. What they shared was an unparalleled gallantry under fire which earned them each the Medal of Honor.
What they had between them was a closely watched rivalry to see who would emerge as the top-scoring American ace of the war. What they left behind is a legacy and a record of aerial victories that has yet to be surpassed anywhere in the world.
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