Unforgotten Hero

Remembering a Fighter Pilot's Life, War and Ultimate Sacrifice

By: Jim Escalle

Narrated by: William Dougan

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Unforgotten Hero tells the captivating life story of Second Lieutenant Jimmy L. Escalle, a US Air Force fighter pilot who became missing in action during the Korean War.

Growing up in a small farming town in California's San Joaquin Valley during the 1930s and 1940s, Jim was a devoted son, a caring older brother, a talented athlete, and a young man of moral character who always put others first. He started high school as the Second World War was at its peak, and graduated during a time of transition within America and around the world. He had always wanted to fly airplanes someday, and with the introduction of jet propulsion during his high school years, he dreamed of becoming a jet pilot.

Called to serve his country after the Korean War began, his dream became a reality when he joined the Air Force and eventually got the opportunity to fly the F-86 Sabre, regarded as the most advanced jet fighter of its time. Soon after arriving in Korea he went on his first missions, which were MiG Alley sweeps. However, since Jim was assigned to a fighter-bomber squadron, the majority of his combat missions were air-to-ground. These were the most dangerous missions.

In Korea, more pilots had been killed or listed as MIA due to being shot down by ground fire rather than enemy aircraft. For Jim, this fact was realized only five weeks before the armistice was signed. He paid the ultimate price for freedom when he disappeared while on a combat mission over North Korea and was never seen or heard from again.

©2013 Jim Escalle (P)2015 Jim Escalle

Lovely tale

This is a nephews story of an uncle he never knew. Setting out to learn about and find out what happened to his uncle. What he gives us is a portrait into a young man who fulfills his life long mission of flying F-86s. We get to hear from squad mate and hear some of his letters before learning of his fate. He is truly an unforgotten hero from a forgotten war.