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The Last Flight of the Daisy Mae: A Story of Heroism and Hope at 17,000 Feet
A young Army Air Force recruit, a farm boy, a postal worker a young mother, a nurse and a goof off, use their unique skills to fight and win World War II. The war is fought at home and in the stormy Pacific skies.
On December 7, 1941 a high school senior, Fran Perkins wakes up in his Chicago home to talk about Christmas shopping with older brothers Jim and Bob. As Fran’s father, a combat veteran of World War I, turns on the large console radio to listen to music, there is an announcement the Japanese Armed Forces are bombing Pearl Harbor and World War II begins in the United States. Fran and his two brothers enlist the next day to fight the war so their younger brothers Edward and Raymond won’t have to fight.
This is the true story of Fran Perkins and the crew of the Daisy Mae, a B-24 Bomber flying and fighting in the skies over the Pacific Ocean. Nicknamed the Hawaiian Air Force, the 42nd Squadron, assigned with the 11th Bombardment Group (H) and other squadrons and groups, fly and fight together to win World War II.
The 11th Bombardment Group, called the “Grey Geese, was almost completely wiped out during the attack on Hickam Air Field in Hawaii at the same time ships at Pearl Harbor were in flames. The group recovers, retools, and begins life again with B-24D Bombers that fly in small groups because of their limited numbers, and cover millions of miles of featureless ocean. Their mission is to protect the Hawaiian Islands from future attack, find downed aviators and crews, and lead the Bomber Line from Hawaii to Victory over Japan.
Fran Perkins is fighting for his family, his airborne band of brothers and his Lady Elaine who is finishing high school at Calumet High School just down May Street from the Fran’s home in nearby Washington Heights.
Fran is soon tested in a battle during basic training and on dangerous training assignments long before deploying to the Hawaiian Islands and his destiny with the Daisy Mae. Piloted by Lt. Joe Gall, the best pilot in the Army Air Corps and the best ship called the Daisy Mae, the crew flies and fights as brothers at 17,000 feet, culminating in their last battle together, the “Alamo in the Sky,” over the Japanese Fortress on Wake Island on July 24, 1943.
The Daisy Mae flies with many crews in the squadron because every time the B-24 Bomber lands from an eight-hour mission over long distances of featureless ocean, it refuels and takes off to fly and fight with a fresh crew. The Daisy Mae made up of tons of steel and aluminum, fights with a heart and soul by shielding her crew on the bombing runs and she demonstrates her unbelievable magic and love of her favorite crew during her final flight.
This exclusive Kindle edition takes you through the deadly training for the young men, born of the Great Depression and flying, fighting, and dying for their country and each other, during the summer of 1943. Filled with stories of adventure and sprinkled with humor, this never before told true story will fill your heart with hope and have you standing and saluting the brave warriors their faithful families and friends, fighting World War II from back home.
The adventure of heroism and hope includes many surprises that follow the flight path of the “Big Girl” called the Daisy Mae,through time, location and history.
On December 7, 1941 a high school senior, Fran Perkins wakes up in his Chicago home to talk about Christmas shopping with older brothers Jim and Bob. As Fran’s father, a combat veteran of World War I, turns on the large console radio to listen to music, there is an announcement the Japanese Armed Forces are bombing Pearl Harbor and World War II begins in the United States. Fran and his two brothers enlist the next day to fight the war so their younger brothers Edward and Raymond won’t have to fight.
This is the true story of Fran Perkins and the crew of the Daisy Mae, a B-24 Bomber flying and fighting in the skies over the Pacific Ocean. Nicknamed the Hawaiian Air Force, the 42nd Squadron, assigned with the 11th Bombardment Group (H) and other squadrons and groups, fly and fight together to win World War II.
The 11th Bombardment Group, called the “Grey Geese, was almost completely wiped out during the attack on Hickam Air Field in Hawaii at the same time ships at Pearl Harbor were in flames. The group recovers, retools, and begins life again with B-24D Bombers that fly in small groups because of their limited numbers, and cover millions of miles of featureless ocean. Their mission is to protect the Hawaiian Islands from future attack, find downed aviators and crews, and lead the Bomber Line from Hawaii to Victory over Japan.
Fran Perkins is fighting for his family, his airborne band of brothers and his Lady Elaine who is finishing high school at Calumet High School just down May Street from the Fran’s home in nearby Washington Heights.
Fran is soon tested in a battle during basic training and on dangerous training assignments long before deploying to the Hawaiian Islands and his destiny with the Daisy Mae. Piloted by Lt. Joe Gall, the best pilot in the Army Air Corps and the best ship called the Daisy Mae, the crew flies and fights as brothers at 17,000 feet, culminating in their last battle together, the “Alamo in the Sky,” over the Japanese Fortress on Wake Island on July 24, 1943.
The Daisy Mae flies with many crews in the squadron because every time the B-24 Bomber lands from an eight-hour mission over long distances of featureless ocean, it refuels and takes off to fly and fight with a fresh crew. The Daisy Mae made up of tons of steel and aluminum, fights with a heart and soul by shielding her crew on the bombing runs and she demonstrates her unbelievable magic and love of her favorite crew during her final flight.
This exclusive Kindle edition takes you through the deadly training for the young men, born of the Great Depression and flying, fighting, and dying for their country and each other, during the summer of 1943. Filled with stories of adventure and sprinkled with humor, this never before told true story will fill your heart with hope and have you standing and saluting the brave warriors their faithful families and friends, fighting World War II from back home.
The adventure of heroism and hope includes many surprises that follow the flight path of the “Big Girl” called the Daisy Mae,through time, location and history.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 17, 2015
27 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 29, 2017
Francis Joseph Perkins (1923-2012) and two of his brothers enlisted in the Army Air Corp days after Pearl Harbor. This is a non- fiction story about Perkins written by his son, Wayne F. Perkins. Fran ended up in the Pacific Theater flying in the 42nd Squadron, 11th Bombardment Group (H). Fran became a ball turret gunner in a B-24 Liberator, The Daisy Mae. The Daisy Mae fought over the Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Guadalcanal and Wake Island. For those who have read “Unbroken” by Hillenbrand, the Daisy Mae was the other plane in the search Y when the B-24 called The Green Hornet with Louis Zamperini as it’s bombardier went into the ocean.
The book is well researched and stays focused on the Perkins. The information about the women who installed the ball turret and guns was interesting. The note the lead installer put into each manual for the gunner can be classified as one of those little-known facts. Over all, the book was an interesting read and helps provide more information into the daily life of an airman in the pacific during World War II.
I read this as audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is just over nine hours long. The author was the narrator of his own book. This is an example of when a professional audiobook narrator should have been hired.
The book is well researched and stays focused on the Perkins. The information about the women who installed the ball turret and guns was interesting. The note the lead installer put into each manual for the gunner can be classified as one of those little-known facts. Over all, the book was an interesting read and helps provide more information into the daily life of an airman in the pacific during World War II.
I read this as audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is just over nine hours long. The author was the narrator of his own book. This is an example of when a professional audiobook narrator should have been hired.
July 19, 2017
Memories similar of other B24 Free members
I was lucky to have had many years participating with WW 11 veterans in the VFW. So many experiences were shared that have not been recorded in print. I am sorry to say we have few left with us.
I was lucky to have had many years participating with WW 11 veterans in the VFW. So many experiences were shared that have not been recorded in print. I am sorry to say we have few left with us.
May 1, 2021
I couldn't put it down
I pick this book to read, because it was something different then I usually read. I can't say there was anything I disliked about the book at all. It was a book while reading it stayed in my thoughts a lot.
I pick this book to read, because it was something different then I usually read. I can't say there was anything I disliked about the book at all. It was a book while reading it stayed in my thoughts a lot.
August 17, 2017
A good read
Written by the son of the ball turret gunner on the Daisey Mae, this is a factual, no frills inspirational story. Worth the time if you like WW2 aviation and combat.
Written by the son of the ball turret gunner on the Daisey Mae, this is a factual, no frills inspirational story. Worth the time if you like WW2 aviation and combat.
April 10, 2016
I enjoyed this book immensely. The book is non-fiction, though unless you knew differently, you would swear it is a novel. It is well paced and written, and the characters become clearly delineated in the reader's mind's eye.
The book's author is the son of the main character, a belly turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator in the Pacific at the height of WWII. Being the son, he can be forgiven for what at times appear to deify his father for his heroics that may be a bit exaggerated. He makes some factual errors that people versed in aircraft will recognize. Putting all that aside, I enjoyed the book thoroughly and highly recommend it. Most readers will like the book, but it has a special appeal for readers of my favorite genre -- the WWII air war.
The book's author is the son of the main character, a belly turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator in the Pacific at the height of WWII. Being the son, he can be forgiven for what at times appear to deify his father for his heroics that may be a bit exaggerated. He makes some factual errors that people versed in aircraft will recognize. Putting all that aside, I enjoyed the book thoroughly and highly recommend it. Most readers will like the book, but it has a special appeal for readers of my favorite genre -- the WWII air war.
December 27, 2016
Second read of this book
You know a book is good when you want to read it again and again. As a retired military enlisted soldier and chairman I can relate to it all.
You know a book is good when you want to read it again and again. As a retired military enlisted soldier and chairman I can relate to it all.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews