Available now at leading U.S. book wholesalers and sellers including Amazon.com! 6x9" format Hardcover or paperback 361 pages 25 photos / original illustrations Foreword by renowned fighter ace Col. Steve Pisanos (RET.) More than 100 legendary fighter aces have shared personal glimpses of their illustrious military careers to help create this tribute to the American fighter ace. Book Reviews: New Review of "In Their Own Words" by Daniel J. Simonsen, Air Power History, Fall 2009! Read the new review here! "In Their Own Words" book review by Gerald W. Thomas, VT-4. Read now!

In Their Own Words: True Stories and Adventures of the American Fighter Ace explores and illustrates the courage, resourcefulness and patriotism of America's fighter aces. These heroic flyers give their personal accounts of what it took to fly, fight, and survive combat missions in World War II and Korea.

Exhaustive research on flying and handling characteristics of fighter aircraft comprise the second portion of this work. Nearly 100 American aces discuss their views on the fighter aircraft they flew and fought against over Europe, in the MTO, CBI, above the Pacific Ocean, and in the skies over Korea.

The third part of this book includes the first comprehensive listing of all ace KIA, MIA, KIFA, and POWs. Lists of "Fighter Ace-in-a-Day," squadron/group victories and pilot and plane nicknames are included. Twenty-one different aviation related topics are explored in depth including fighter aircraft performance and production.

More information and excerpts from the book:

I am very proud that one of our nation’s leading fighter aces Colonel Steve Pisanos has written the forward for my book. Being of Greek heritage, he was the first person to be made an American citizen while living outside the United States. Also of interest are the special cover graphics and interior illustrations. Both my sons are gifted professional artists and helped with their artistic skills.

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“This book is a tribute to America’s fighter aces of World War II and Korea. As a life long military aviation historian my one burning desire and goal is to share my admiration of America’s fighter Aces and their accomplishments.” 

“In my mind all fighter pilots were ‘heroes’. To fly in combat may seem exciting and noble, but it was also extremely dangerous and deadly. All fighter pilots regardless of their personal victory tallies are deserving of great respect and credit for what they endured.” 

“It is hard to pinpoint the exact qualities that separate a good and a great fighter pilot. Surely it must consist of a fighting inner spirit and a motivation and determination to survive and succeed at any cost, with a measure of opportunity and luck added to the mix.”

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A few of the 100+ “first person” wartime accounts include:

• MGen. Frederick (Boots) Blesse: “AN ILL-FATED ATTEMPT"
• Cdr. Clarence (Spike) Borley: “A LIFE RAFT IN A TYPHOON”
• BGen. Robert L. Scott Jr. : “COMMENTS OF AN OLD FIGHTER PILOT”
• Capt. Michael Dikovitsky: “CHARLES LINDBERG”
• Col. David L. (Tex) Hill: “CLAIRE CHENNAULT AND THE FLYING TIGERS”
• Cdr. Alex Vraciu: “SIX JUDYS IN EIGHT MINUTES”
• Col. Harold Comstock: “MY INTRODUCTION TO CURTIS LeMAY”
• LtCol. Wayne Blickenstaff: “THE RELIEF TUBE”
• Cdr. LeRoy Robinson: “SIX GUNS AND THE TEXAS LASSO KID” 
  
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  “Fourteen legendry fighter aircraft of World War II and Korea will be discussed as to the positive and negative combat abilities and general flight and handling characteristics. It is of interest to note that fighter pilots were usually very loyal and expressed deep fondness for one particular type of fighter over all the others they have flown. This is only natural as a pilot’s life was directly and ultimately dependant on his aircraft. Regardless of what particular plane he flew, if a pilot succeeded in consistently obtaining victories and coming back alive, he would quite naturally develop an affinity and close-knit bond with his fighter. Only the devotion, trust and friendship of his fellow pilots and maintenance crew could approach this level of loyalty.”
  
  “A skilled pilot could amplify an aircrafts attributes and minimize its short comings, thus producing significant results in air-to-air combat”    
  
  “As anyone who has ever piloted an aircraft knows, flying can be a true joy. Flying makes one feel exhilarated, free, and can leave you marveling at the sheer accomplishment of being able to shake one’s earthly bonds.
  
  Flying can also be dangerous, deadly and at times terrifying experience, especially in combat or when testing a new aircraft type.”
  
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  Other topics of interest to the novice or advanced military aviation enthusiast that are covered in this book are: wartime carrier operations, fighter aircraft armament, camouflage and gun sights, ace pilot KIA, MIA, KIFA, POWs, top scoring pilots, “ace in a day” listings, fighter pilot, plane and squadron nicknames, aces who shot down rocket or jet aircraft, Ace Medal Of Honor recipients, fighter aircraft performance, total aircraft production and victory figures over every enemy aircraft type.
  
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  “All of the fighter aces I have met, interviewed and corresponded with over the years, to a man, believe they are not HEROES. I have been consistently told that we were only doing the job that had to be done and were trained to do. Fighter aces believe that the real heroes are the pilots they flew with that didn’t make it back home.” 
  
  “From the author’s point of view, anyone who has defended our countries freedom, regardless of branch of service or rank, deserve our deepest gratitude and sincere respect. They are the true ‘HEROES’, one and all.” 
  
  
  
  
  -James A. Oleson