Scootin' Thunder

About the Book

In 1943, the 13th Air Force of the United States Army Air Corps was stationed in Guadalcanal. The men serving in this group were also known as the "Cactus Air Force". These crews were known to fly the longest unescorted formation missions with over 4 million square miles of open ocean. Orders directed these squadrons to fly up the slot of the Solomon Islands inflicting as much damage as possible to the enemy enabling the ground forces to secure the next airfield, taking island after island. Many of their accomplishments were ignored and overlooked because the command was under the jurisdiction of the Navy.

This is the journalized account of some 45 combat missions by one of its B-24 crew of ten men from their plane, Scootin' Thunder.

About the Author

I was born in South Bend, Indiana the third of seven children. My father instilled a love of words, reading and writing. The crew picture triggered thoughts about what these young men experienced. I was given my father?s diary from 1943 and am now better able to understand their service.