The vivid story of Philippine-born George Cooper, who flew 74 missions over the Pacific.
Born in the Philippines to an American father and a Filipina mother, George Cooper was one of the few surviving veteran pilots who saw action over such fearsome targets as Rabaul and Wewak. Not just another flag-waving story of air combat, Jayhawk describes the war as it really was—a conflict with far-reaching tentacles that gripped and tore at not only the combatants, but also their families, friends and the way they lived their lives.
Stout examines the story of Cooper’s growing up in gentle and idyllic pre-war Manila and how he grew to be the man he was. Stout reviews Cooper’s journey to the United States and his unlikely entry into the United States Army Air Forces. Trained as a B-25 pilot, Cooper was assigned to the iconic 345th Bomb Group and flew strafing missions that shredded the enemy, but likewise put himself and his comrades in grave danger. A husband and father, Cooper was pulled two ways by the call of duty and his obligation to his wife and daughter. And always on his mind was the family he left behind in the Philippines who were in thrall to the Japanese.
Prologue
Introduction
Early Life
Going to America
He's in the Army Now
Occupied and Interned
Bomber Pilot
Getting "Over There"
Introduction to Combat
Transition to Low-Level Strafing
Wewak, Rabaul, and other Actions
First Combat Tour Completed
The Philippines
Stateside Duty
Death of a Childhood Friend
Return to the Pacific
Rescue at Santos Tomas
Reunification
Last Combat
Occupation Duty
Epilogue
Endnotes
Bibliography
Index