Jungle Ace: The Story of One of the USAAF's Great Fighter Leaders, Col. Gerald R. Johnson: The Story of One of the USAAF's Great Fighter Leaders, Col.Gerald R.Johnson

by John R. Bruning

The brief but accomplished life of Army Air Forces fighter ace Gerald Johnson (1920–45) is the subject of John Bruning’s latest book. During three years in the Pacific theater, Johnson shot down twenty-four Japanese aircraft in 265 combat missions. At the age of twenty-four, he commanded the highest-scoring fighter group in the Pacific, the 49th. Tragically, though Johnson had survived three combat tours, which included a mid-air collision with a Japanese aircraft and being shot down by friendly fire, he disappeared while flying a courier mission one month after the war’s end. At the time he was one of the USAAF’s youngest full colonels.

Genres: Biography, World War II

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2001

About the author

John Bruning is the author or coauthor of twenty-two non-fiction books, including four New York Times best sellers, and seven national best sellers, including the critically acclaimed "Race of Aces," "Indestructible," "Outlaw Platoon" (with Sean Parnell) and "House to House" (with David Bellavia).

In 2011, he received a Thomas Jefferson Award for his photojournalism and reporting in Afghanistan during the surge in 2010.

He lives in Oregon with his family and writes with an office staff that includes three dogs and two cats, one of whom identifies as canine and enjoys swimming, hiking and urban exploration.

For further information on John, his office staff and his published words, please check out:

johnbruning.com

John R Bruning on Facebook

and Sylvie_the_canine_cat on Instagram

Reviews

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a few books about the War in the Pacific during WWII now and am convinced that the Pacific Theater was incredibly under manned and constantly fighting to execute an almost impossible mission on a daily basis. The stories of what these brave airman and their support crews endured from first and second hand accounts are a national treasure. This book is filled with stories of daily routines of heroism in the skies over these islands and in the jungles that they lived in. I hope these men and their stories never become forgotten.
Just a fascinating book of warriors sacrificing so much to get a difficult job done under impossible conditions. A real testament to the fierce dedication of a generation of men (Most in their 20's) that ensured our freedom as well as those of the peoples in the islands they liberated.

[Chris C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good and quick read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography of a young fighter pilot in the Pacific during WWII is a wonderful read.

[Bill Donhiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

An astonishing story about a relatively unknown WW2 pilot. an easy read I enjoyed it a lot felt the ending a little said but it is non fiction and it is what happened