I really wrote this book because of what happened when I was talking to four young guys at a friend's party. They seemed to be fascinated to hear about my World War II combat experiences. They kept urging me, for instance, to tell them more about when I, as a Naval fighter pilot in the Pacific, joined up on four Jap fighters, an event I describe later in the book. They sat so mesmerized listening that as I wound up the story I couldn't help stretching the truth a bit by telling them I made too steep a dive at the end of the encounter, went into the drink and drowned. Up to that last part they were sitting on the edge of their seats, hanging on every word. Then, as they realized I was only pulling their legs with the part at the end, they wanted to hear more stories. It got me thinking that maybe my wartime yarns might also be of interest to others, considering the growing interest in the "World's Greatest Generation" and World War II. Hence this book
