World War II Transport Pilot

Captain Harry "Rats" Mueller, United States Marine Corps

De: James Law

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Volume One in the Pacific War Series is an adventure story of a U.S. Marine Corps aviator during the 1930s and the outbreak of World War II. It is historical fiction that takes some liberty with events, places, and people. The characters are primarily fictitious. If real persons are placed in the story, the author attempts to truthfully portray them. The build-up to WW II and the early Pacific War campaign against Japan provide the background to dramatize the training, courage, and leadership of a Marine pilot and his crew. Many of the tactical situations, weapons, and communications are products of the author’s imagination. The sixteen-day battle for Wake Island in December 1941 is highlighted. It is a tribute to the brave Marines, Navy, Army, and civilian personnel who withstood repeated bombing attacks from Japanese forces. The courageous Marine defense force under the astute leadership of Major James P.S. Devereux, USMC, exacted a high price in Japanese ships, planes, and casualties before surrendering on 23 December. “Remember Wake” became a unifying catchphrase for the United States and our military during a grim series of setbacks in early 1942. Captain Harry "Rats" Mueller is a hero, but he is not a saint. In 1941, he and his C-46 "Commando" crew overcome a series of obstacles to get their aircraft built. They start flying long range missions from the West Coast to Hawaii before Pearl Harbor, and cut some corners to help the Marines on Wake Island during its siege. Chapter headings provide date and location information to help the reader follow the story’s flow and sequence. Readers will hopefully find themselves learning about naval flight training in the 1930s, the outbreak of World War II, the battle for Wake Island, and Naval aviation - its ups and downs.