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Never Call Me a Hero: A Legendary American Dive-Bomber Pilot Remembers the Battle of Midway
Hailed as "the single most effective pilot at Midway" (World War II magazine), Dusty Kleiss struck and sank three Japanese warships at the Battle of Midway, including two aircraft carriers, helping turn the tide of the Second World War. This is his extraordinary memoir.
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • "AN INSTANT CLASSIC" —Dallas Morning News
On the morning of June 4, 1942, high above the tiny Pacific atoll of Midway, Lt. (j.g.) "Dusty" Kleiss burst out of the clouds and piloted his SBD Dauntless into a near-vertical dive aimed at the heart of Japan’s Imperial Navy, which six months earlier had ruthlessly struck Pearl Harbor. The greatest naval battle in history raged around him, its outcome hanging in the balance as the U.S. desperately searched for its first major victory of the Second World War. Then, in a matter of seconds, Dusty Kleiss’s daring 20,000-foot dive helped forever alter the war’s trajectory.
Plummeting through the air at 240 knots amid blistering anti-aircraft fire, the twenty-six-year-old pilot from USS Enterprise’s elite Scouting Squadron Six fixed on an invaluable target—the aircraft carrier Kaga, one of Japan’s most important capital ships. He released three bombs at the last possible instant, then desperately pulled out of his gut-wrenching 9-g dive. As his plane leveled out just above the roiling Pacific Ocean, Dusty’s perfectly placed bombs struck the carrier’s deck, and Kaga erupted into an inferno from which it would never recover.
Arriving safely back at Enterprise, Dusty was met with heartbreaking his best friend was missing and presumed dead along with two dozen of their fellow naval aviators. Unbowed, Dusty returned to the air that same afternoon and, remarkably, would fatally strike another enemy carrier, Hiryu. Two days later, his deadeye aim contributed to the destruction of a third Japanese warship, the cruiser Mikuma, thereby making Dusty the only pilot from either side to land hits on three different ships, all of which sank—losses that crippled the once-fearsome Japanese fleet.
By battle’s end, the humble young sailor from Kansas had earned his place in history—and yet he stayed silent for decades, living quietly with his children and his wife, Jean, whom he married less than a month after Midway. Now his extraordinary and long-awaited memoir, Never Call Me a Hero, tells the Navy Cross recipient’s full story for the first time, offering an unprecedentedly intimate look at the "the decisive contest for control of the Pacific in World War II" (New York Times)—and one man’s essential role in helping secure its outcome.
Dusty worked on this book for years with naval historians Timothy and Laura Orr, aiming to publish Never Call Me a Hero for Midway’s seventy-fifth anniversary in June 2017. Sadly, as the book neared completion in 2016, Dusty Kleiss passed away at age 100, one of the last surviving dive-bomber pilots to have fought at Midway. And yet the publication of Never Call Me a Hero is a cause for these pages are Dusty’s remarkable legacy, providing a riveting eyewitness account of the Battle of Midway, and an inspiring testimony to the brave men who fought, died, and shaped history during those four extraordinary days in June, seventy-five years ago.
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • "AN INSTANT CLASSIC" —Dallas Morning News
On the morning of June 4, 1942, high above the tiny Pacific atoll of Midway, Lt. (j.g.) "Dusty" Kleiss burst out of the clouds and piloted his SBD Dauntless into a near-vertical dive aimed at the heart of Japan’s Imperial Navy, which six months earlier had ruthlessly struck Pearl Harbor. The greatest naval battle in history raged around him, its outcome hanging in the balance as the U.S. desperately searched for its first major victory of the Second World War. Then, in a matter of seconds, Dusty Kleiss’s daring 20,000-foot dive helped forever alter the war’s trajectory.
Plummeting through the air at 240 knots amid blistering anti-aircraft fire, the twenty-six-year-old pilot from USS Enterprise’s elite Scouting Squadron Six fixed on an invaluable target—the aircraft carrier Kaga, one of Japan’s most important capital ships. He released three bombs at the last possible instant, then desperately pulled out of his gut-wrenching 9-g dive. As his plane leveled out just above the roiling Pacific Ocean, Dusty’s perfectly placed bombs struck the carrier’s deck, and Kaga erupted into an inferno from which it would never recover.
Arriving safely back at Enterprise, Dusty was met with heartbreaking his best friend was missing and presumed dead along with two dozen of their fellow naval aviators. Unbowed, Dusty returned to the air that same afternoon and, remarkably, would fatally strike another enemy carrier, Hiryu. Two days later, his deadeye aim contributed to the destruction of a third Japanese warship, the cruiser Mikuma, thereby making Dusty the only pilot from either side to land hits on three different ships, all of which sank—losses that crippled the once-fearsome Japanese fleet.
By battle’s end, the humble young sailor from Kansas had earned his place in history—and yet he stayed silent for decades, living quietly with his children and his wife, Jean, whom he married less than a month after Midway. Now his extraordinary and long-awaited memoir, Never Call Me a Hero, tells the Navy Cross recipient’s full story for the first time, offering an unprecedentedly intimate look at the "the decisive contest for control of the Pacific in World War II" (New York Times)—and one man’s essential role in helping secure its outcome.
Dusty worked on this book for years with naval historians Timothy and Laura Orr, aiming to publish Never Call Me a Hero for Midway’s seventy-fifth anniversary in June 2017. Sadly, as the book neared completion in 2016, Dusty Kleiss passed away at age 100, one of the last surviving dive-bomber pilots to have fought at Midway. And yet the publication of Never Call Me a Hero is a cause for these pages are Dusty’s remarkable legacy, providing a riveting eyewitness account of the Battle of Midway, and an inspiring testimony to the brave men who fought, died, and shaped history during those four extraordinary days in June, seventy-five years ago.
451 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
December 13, 2017
“If all of what we were told was true, that the Japanese intended to send four carriers to invade Midway, then Nimitz had taken an incredible risk. He had decided to throw the Navy’s only operational carriers (2) and their escorts ---the last best hope for victory---against the pride of the Japanese fleet. Strange as it is to say, the fortunes of the Pacific War appeared to rest on our shoulders. We all understood how the upcoming battle had the potential to become the defining naval engagement of the Pacific War…”
“Dusty” Kleiss is a Naval Academy trained officer who finds himself young enough to become a dive bomber in the new Navy air corps and old enough to have served for several years on antiquated ships that had been “mothballed” after World War I. Kleiss is correct about how important the Battle of Midway was to the war. What is more important, I don’t believe that he was writing this simply out of hindsight. I am impressed with both the material Kleiss kept and his memory of designations of air groups, planes, equipment, etc. He also draws on correspondence with his “girl,” later his wife during those years.
As far as I can tell, Kleiss was never a guy who enjoyed telling stories about his war experiences while others bought him a round of drinks. It was only after he became, in 2011, the last surviving dive bomber pilot in the Battle of Midway, that he was persuaded to put his experiences together in writing. This is one of the most personal accounts of the naval war in the Pacific that has been written.
The book certainly emphasizes the World War II time of his naval career but it gives the reader plenty of his personal life from growing up in Kansas to his work in the Navy and private industry after the Korean War. I believe the narrative benefits from co-authors Timothy and Laura Orr’s attention to detail. The former is a professor of military history and the latter is deputy education director at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. With their help we learn many previously untold details about these battles and the brave souls that fought and shaped history.
“Dusty” Kleiss is a Naval Academy trained officer who finds himself young enough to become a dive bomber in the new Navy air corps and old enough to have served for several years on antiquated ships that had been “mothballed” after World War I. Kleiss is correct about how important the Battle of Midway was to the war. What is more important, I don’t believe that he was writing this simply out of hindsight. I am impressed with both the material Kleiss kept and his memory of designations of air groups, planes, equipment, etc. He also draws on correspondence with his “girl,” later his wife during those years.
As far as I can tell, Kleiss was never a guy who enjoyed telling stories about his war experiences while others bought him a round of drinks. It was only after he became, in 2011, the last surviving dive bomber pilot in the Battle of Midway, that he was persuaded to put his experiences together in writing. This is one of the most personal accounts of the naval war in the Pacific that has been written.
The book certainly emphasizes the World War II time of his naval career but it gives the reader plenty of his personal life from growing up in Kansas to his work in the Navy and private industry after the Korean War. I believe the narrative benefits from co-authors Timothy and Laura Orr’s attention to detail. The former is a professor of military history and the latter is deputy education director at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. With their help we learn many previously untold details about these battles and the brave souls that fought and shaped history.
April 15, 2020
An excellent account of a naval aviator who was in the right place at the right time. He scored bomb hits on two of the four Japanese carriers sunk in the Battle of Midway and got a third hit on a cruiser that did not make it out of the battle. Dusty Kleiss fought the first six months of the war, from Dec 7th 1941 to Jun 6th 1942. He was sent back to the US mainland to use his battle experience to train the new crews headed to the Pacific. This is his story and it's an excellent account.
Dusty Kleiss wants to be a pilot. He has a scholarship to Kansas University and a 4th alternate appointment to Annapolis. He has to choose one. He and his dad get a flight in an acrobatic airplane:
Dusty Kleiss dropped the second bomb on Kaga on the first day of the Battle of Midway. As he races away from the battle, this must have been an awesome sight:
You could pair this book with The Twilight Warriors: The Deadliest Naval Battle of World War II and the Men Who Fought It to get outstanding bookends to the naval air war in the Pacific. 4 Stars
Dusty Kleiss wants to be a pilot. He has a scholarship to Kansas University and a 4th alternate appointment to Annapolis. He has to choose one. He and his dad get a flight in an acrobatic airplane:
Dusty Kleiss dropped the second bomb on Kaga on the first day of the Battle of Midway. As he races away from the battle, this must have been an awesome sight:
You could pair this book with The Twilight Warriors: The Deadliest Naval Battle of World War II and the Men Who Fought It to get outstanding bookends to the naval air war in the Pacific. 4 Stars
June 17, 2017
This is an excellent book by a USN veteran detailing his life with the central focus on his experiences in WWII and his love for his wife of 50+ years. His honesty, integrity and devotion to the memory of friends lost in combat make this a compelling read. When you add the fact that he was asked to write this well into his 90's you realize what an amazing person he was and what a wonderful job his co-authors have done in bringing this story to print. In full disclosure - I know the co-authors (Tim and Laura Orr) and found myself thinking of their experience in getting to know CAPT Kleiss as I read this book. How fortunate they are to have been a part of his life - I am proud of their work on his behalf.
December 20, 2017
On April 22, 2016, America lost its last, living dive bomber pilot who fought in “one of the most famous naval engagements in world history.” Norman Jack Kleiss passed away on that date, only about six weeks after celebrating his 100th birthday. In this 2017 release, the legendary American dive bomber pilot, “Dusty” Kleiss, (as he was known by his comrades in arms), remembers the Battle of Midway. As Kleiss points out in his introduction, the central Pacific clash resulted in “four enemy aircraft carriers” destroyed in a single day. The “stunning feat” by dive bomber squadrons became the U.S. Navy’s “first decisive victory over Japan.” Perhaps more importantly, “many historians (believe) Midway was “the turning point” of the war in the Pacific.
With the help of his two co-authors, Timothy and Laura Orr, Kleiss offers the reader here a battle memoir, a history of American naval aviation as well as Kleiss’ own personal love story. It’s a tale of how Kleiss “ended up with the best (life) partner a man could ask for.”
“Never Call Me a Hero” is also Kleiss’ attempt to set the record straight about what happened at Midway. The World War II veteran argues against the theory that the American fleet won at Midway “through sheer luck.” Kleiss believes historians gave “too much credit to the admirals and not enough to the pilots.” He points out that torpedo bomber squadron pilots knew they were on suicide missions but flew anyway. Kleiss also gives credit to the designers and builders of “the newest, most accurate of naval weapons,” the SBD-3 dive bomber.
For this reviewer, a couple of surprising take-aways from this brand-new war time journal. The bone-headed decision to use a torpedo in a naval attack that worked ten percent or less of the time. Kleiss believes that move “set the stage for one of the greatest tragedies of the battle.” Equally surprising, Kleiss’ charge that a naval captain’s “decision to execute a high-risk air operation (at Midway) seemed unnecessary and reckless.” Kleiss admits “the risk paid off, but at high cost.” Naval aviators “destroyed four Japanese carriers” but it resulted in the loss of 70 percent of the carrier Enterprise’s torpedo bomber squadron and half of two dive bomber squadrons. It was not American military leadership’s finest hour at Midway.
In summary, “Never Call Me a Hero” is a well-written war diary from a man who went to his grave believing “heroes cannot be among the living, only the dead.” Kleiss preferred to be known as “a lucky fool.” If his printed, highly-detailed legacy comes up short here, it may suffer from too much information.
With the help of his two co-authors, Timothy and Laura Orr, Kleiss offers the reader here a battle memoir, a history of American naval aviation as well as Kleiss’ own personal love story. It’s a tale of how Kleiss “ended up with the best (life) partner a man could ask for.”
“Never Call Me a Hero” is also Kleiss’ attempt to set the record straight about what happened at Midway. The World War II veteran argues against the theory that the American fleet won at Midway “through sheer luck.” Kleiss believes historians gave “too much credit to the admirals and not enough to the pilots.” He points out that torpedo bomber squadron pilots knew they were on suicide missions but flew anyway. Kleiss also gives credit to the designers and builders of “the newest, most accurate of naval weapons,” the SBD-3 dive bomber.
For this reviewer, a couple of surprising take-aways from this brand-new war time journal. The bone-headed decision to use a torpedo in a naval attack that worked ten percent or less of the time. Kleiss believes that move “set the stage for one of the greatest tragedies of the battle.” Equally surprising, Kleiss’ charge that a naval captain’s “decision to execute a high-risk air operation (at Midway) seemed unnecessary and reckless.” Kleiss admits “the risk paid off, but at high cost.” Naval aviators “destroyed four Japanese carriers” but it resulted in the loss of 70 percent of the carrier Enterprise’s torpedo bomber squadron and half of two dive bomber squadrons. It was not American military leadership’s finest hour at Midway.
In summary, “Never Call Me a Hero” is a well-written war diary from a man who went to his grave believing “heroes cannot be among the living, only the dead.” Kleiss preferred to be known as “a lucky fool.” If his printed, highly-detailed legacy comes up short here, it may suffer from too much information.
December 10, 2017
If you want a first-hand account of the Battle of Midway, read Never Call Me a Hero by “Dusty” Kleiss. Ride with this aviator on June 4, 1942, as he noses his Dauntless SBD-3 dive bomber down almost vertically from 19,000 feet, reaching over 275 mph. Racing downward through fierce enemy fire, he uses the Rising Sun emblem on the Japanese carrier’s flight deck to sight his bombs. At 1,000 feet, he jerks the bomb release lever and pulls back on the stick. Sea spray speckles his windshield . . . You can’t get any more first-hand!
Kleiss opens with his childhood upbringing and background, leading to his assignments as a navy pilot. This background helps explain Kleiss’s influences, behaviors, and values.
The book is written in incredible detail, using data taken from Kleiss’s original flight logs and other retained records. In addition to describing events, Kleiss expresses his thoughts and feelings, reflecting the values of the period and hinting how things may have changed.
Kleiss’s detail reveals the extent of the Midway battle. While many accounts emphasize the quick demise of four Japanese carriers, the Midway battle persisted for three days, with the US also confronting Japanese battleships, destroyers, cruisers, and support ships.
Kleiss’s detail brings to mind the combat risks of the time. Technology was limited. In the war’s early stages, the US needed to use what it already had. Some designs were obsolete or flawed -- things broke -- people made mistakes. And, good men were lost. Almost half from Kleiss’s squadron never came home. But still, they prevailed. Kleiss attributed this to the Dauntless SBD-3 aircraft, dedicated individuals, and superior training.
Kleiss writes about Jean, the love of his life. He regretted not marrying her before he shipped out, but they kept in touch and she became his inspiration.
Kleiss takes the reader through his naval career and his life until the book’s completion at age 99. Although reluctant to come forward, as the last surviving dive-bomber pilot to fight at Midway, he felt a responsibility to produce this account. Kleiss died the following year.
Kleiss opens with his childhood upbringing and background, leading to his assignments as a navy pilot. This background helps explain Kleiss’s influences, behaviors, and values.
The book is written in incredible detail, using data taken from Kleiss’s original flight logs and other retained records. In addition to describing events, Kleiss expresses his thoughts and feelings, reflecting the values of the period and hinting how things may have changed.
Kleiss’s detail reveals the extent of the Midway battle. While many accounts emphasize the quick demise of four Japanese carriers, the Midway battle persisted for three days, with the US also confronting Japanese battleships, destroyers, cruisers, and support ships.
Kleiss’s detail brings to mind the combat risks of the time. Technology was limited. In the war’s early stages, the US needed to use what it already had. Some designs were obsolete or flawed -- things broke -- people made mistakes. And, good men were lost. Almost half from Kleiss’s squadron never came home. But still, they prevailed. Kleiss attributed this to the Dauntless SBD-3 aircraft, dedicated individuals, and superior training.
Kleiss writes about Jean, the love of his life. He regretted not marrying her before he shipped out, but they kept in touch and she became his inspiration.
Kleiss takes the reader through his naval career and his life until the book’s completion at age 99. Although reluctant to come forward, as the last surviving dive-bomber pilot to fight at Midway, he felt a responsibility to produce this account. Kleiss died the following year.
October 7, 2017
It's hard to overemphasize the importance of this book; it's the personal life and history of Jack "Dusty" Kleiss who passed away last year at age 100. Dusty was one of the dive bombers from the USS Enterprise that helped turn the tide of history during the Battle of Midway. His book takes us back to a life spent growing up during the Great Depression followed by a war that would take the lives of millions of people. Throughout the book he insists that he was not a hero and that the real heroes of Midway were the pilots who did not return from their missions.
There are many books about Midway, but this book is different. Jack Kleiss had his opinions about the battle and he was not shy about pointing out many of the mistakes that were made by senior commanders that cost the lives of many pilots and gunners. He personally helped sink 3 Japanese warships during the battle but also saw many of his fellow pilots and friends get killed.
This is an extraordinary memoir of the war in the Pacific told by somebody that was there - this is definitely a "must read" !!!!
There are many books about Midway, but this book is different. Jack Kleiss had his opinions about the battle and he was not shy about pointing out many of the mistakes that were made by senior commanders that cost the lives of many pilots and gunners. He personally helped sink 3 Japanese warships during the battle but also saw many of his fellow pilots and friends get killed.
This is an extraordinary memoir of the war in the Pacific told by somebody that was there - this is definitely a "must read" !!!!
July 19, 2017
Before opening the book, I was afraid that I would be bogged down by the military details and the hardware terms, but this recounting of the Battle of Midway is told in such a way that even the battle challenged like myself can follow the action. This is a humbling story told through the voice of Dusty Kleiss, a dive bomber who helped sink 3 Japanese ships during the battle. Dusty is a hero, as well as every member of the Greatest Generation who served and helped save the world from annihilation.
May 15, 2018
Outstanding look at military service during wartime, and the emotional challenges of balancing that Service and family life. “Dear reader, please be generous to me, but never call me a hero. During the Pacific War, I did my job and that’s it.” Norman Jack Kleiss, Introduction, Never Call Me A Hero, pg.xvii. That summarizes military service in a nutshell, we just did our duty. An outstanding book!
January 5, 2022
“Dusty” Kleiss said "never call me a hero" for his part in the Pacific War and while I understand his wish to shine the light of history on his fellow valiant friends - I do, in fact, recognize the "hero" in this simple man, who trained with thousands of others, to become champions for American freedom. In Dusty's case he learned how to hurl himself downward thousands of feet through the screaming wind, racing toward an enemy bent on taking his life. Flying a machine to the edge of its capabilities using gut feelings, instinct and skill honed by countless hours of practice, his intent was to deliver a crushing blow to the enemy - fire and destruction.
These endeavors are not undertaken lightly. Whether done to protect family, friends and country or to live long enough to return to a “love” waiting at home, Kleiss exemplifies what Japanese Admiral Yamamoto understood about what America is and always will be: Yamamoto said "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve". Norman Jack “Dusty” Kleiss and all the other brave warriors, having served this country, are indeed our greatest heroes – simple men and women perhaps, but having become our awakened, resolute giants – delivered freedom to this greatest nation of all.
These endeavors are not undertaken lightly. Whether done to protect family, friends and country or to live long enough to return to a “love” waiting at home, Kleiss exemplifies what Japanese Admiral Yamamoto understood about what America is and always will be: Yamamoto said "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve". Norman Jack “Dusty” Kleiss and all the other brave warriors, having served this country, are indeed our greatest heroes – simple men and women perhaps, but having become our awakened, resolute giants – delivered freedom to this greatest nation of all.
July 14, 2018
I listened to the audio book which was just published in 2017 and it is amazing. I had no idea the book was so recent until I reached the end and the authors told of how they came to meet "Dusty" Kleis and write the book.
This is an amazing, first-hand account, of The Battle of Midway, the turning point in the war in the Pacific and with Japan.
If you like history, military history, or WWII history, or have read any other books or articles about The Battle of Midway or the War in the Pacific you will enjoy this book.
Dusty is a humble member of the Greatest Generation. The book is filled with great, sometimes humorous stories of how Jack grew up and made his way to Annapolis to become a graduate of the Naval Academy and ultimately a dive bomber pilot. Given that most pilots missed the Japanese carriers and other ships it is amazing that Dusty was able to hit three carriers over two days which surely aided there trips to Davey Jones' Locker.
The story about how Jack got his nick name is hilarious and I believe every reader/listener will enjoy it.
I highly recommend this book and one of the best first hand accounts of WWII I have read.
This is an amazing, first-hand account, of The Battle of Midway, the turning point in the war in the Pacific and with Japan.
If you like history, military history, or WWII history, or have read any other books or articles about The Battle of Midway or the War in the Pacific you will enjoy this book.
Dusty is a humble member of the Greatest Generation. The book is filled with great, sometimes humorous stories of how Jack grew up and made his way to Annapolis to become a graduate of the Naval Academy and ultimately a dive bomber pilot. Given that most pilots missed the Japanese carriers and other ships it is amazing that Dusty was able to hit three carriers over two days which surely aided there trips to Davey Jones' Locker.
The story about how Jack got his nick name is hilarious and I believe every reader/listener will enjoy it.
I highly recommend this book and one of the best first hand accounts of WWII I have read.
October 25, 2020
A solid memoir filled with great bits of information. The notes in the back of the book were almost as good as the story itself. A fast paced, page-turner that was structured well.
The story was influenced by hindsight but I appreciated how it tried to recognize that. It also did a nice job of referencing other works on Midway. All components of the story were interesting, not just the Battle of Midway part. Interesting to hear the story about his girlfriend/wife.
Also enjoyed his scathing deposition on the American torpedo's (or lack-there-of). Would recommend it to anyone looking for a lighter read on the beginning years of the PTO WWII.
The story was influenced by hindsight but I appreciated how it tried to recognize that. It also did a nice job of referencing other works on Midway. All components of the story were interesting, not just the Battle of Midway part. Interesting to hear the story about his girlfriend/wife.
Also enjoyed his scathing deposition on the American torpedo's (or lack-there-of). Would recommend it to anyone looking for a lighter read on the beginning years of the PTO WWII.
July 6, 2019
An excellent first hand account of the Battle of Midway written by one of the key pilots of the battle. It was written with Kleiss was 100 years old.
June 13, 2017
Despite the title of this memoir, Jack “Dusty” Kleiss is a true American hero. Members of the greatest generation avoid this moniker and would rather have us remember their friends and comrades that made the ultimate sacrifice and did not return home. Kleiss reminds us of this throughout the book, and I agree that many heroic actions go unrecognized because no one is left to tell the tale. But his actions make him a hero in the true sense of the word.
I have been an amateur student of the Battle of Midway for 30 years, it was the first battle that I ever read about in any detail and whenever a new academic take was published, it was high on my to read list. What has always been lacking, at least in my reading of the battle, is the personal perspective that is the focus of Never Call Me a Hero.
The authors provide the background of his childhood, time at the Naval Academy, and first 2 years as a surface officer before flight school in the first half of the book. Of course what most readers want to fast forward to is the start of the war and the Battle of Midway. While I was familiar with most of the actions that take place in the first 6 months of the war in the Pacific, the personal perspective is very interesting. I knew that the Enterprise had lost air crews to friendly fire over Pearl Harbor, but I did not know that they also encountered the Japanese and lost aircraft. Kleiss kept a detailed log with all the names, dates, and places that adds a richness to the historical facts.
Anyone interested in military history in general or specifically the War in the Pacific will enjoy this book. I wish the authors could have gone broader with the overall Battle of Midway instead of focusing just on Kleiss’s perspective, but this is a memoir. Do read the introduction to the book that Kleiss wrote, it provides his reason for his waiting so long to put this down on paper. He is an honest and humble man who represents what the best of this country is all about, and a hero.
I have been an amateur student of the Battle of Midway for 30 years, it was the first battle that I ever read about in any detail and whenever a new academic take was published, it was high on my to read list. What has always been lacking, at least in my reading of the battle, is the personal perspective that is the focus of Never Call Me a Hero.
The authors provide the background of his childhood, time at the Naval Academy, and first 2 years as a surface officer before flight school in the first half of the book. Of course what most readers want to fast forward to is the start of the war and the Battle of Midway. While I was familiar with most of the actions that take place in the first 6 months of the war in the Pacific, the personal perspective is very interesting. I knew that the Enterprise had lost air crews to friendly fire over Pearl Harbor, but I did not know that they also encountered the Japanese and lost aircraft. Kleiss kept a detailed log with all the names, dates, and places that adds a richness to the historical facts.
Anyone interested in military history in general or specifically the War in the Pacific will enjoy this book. I wish the authors could have gone broader with the overall Battle of Midway instead of focusing just on Kleiss’s perspective, but this is a memoir. Do read the introduction to the book that Kleiss wrote, it provides his reason for his waiting so long to put this down on paper. He is an honest and humble man who represents what the best of this country is all about, and a hero.
July 22, 2017
“Never Call Me a Hero” by N. Jack Kleiss was a Goodreads Giveaway book I received…here is my take. While I did not like the title (seemed a bit too much like a humble brag), I did like the book very much. It is an exciting tale of an American dive bomber at the tide-turning Battle of Midway.
Jack Kleiss participated in the Battle of Midway and seemingly played a very big part in destroying four Japanese aircraft carriers…the heart of their fleet. These were the same carriers that had caused so much terror at Pearl Harbor six months earlier. Ever since Pearl Harbor, the Japanese fleet had run amok in the Pacific with little opposition. The Battle of Midway changed that, and pretty much changed the course of the war. Japan went from being on offense to being on defense…where they remained for the rest of the war.
Kleiss was there, so this is a first person account, which is rare when it comes to recent World War II accounts. While he passed in 2016 and did not live to see publication, his fingerprints are all over this narrative. Recommended.
Jack Kleiss participated in the Battle of Midway and seemingly played a very big part in destroying four Japanese aircraft carriers…the heart of their fleet. These were the same carriers that had caused so much terror at Pearl Harbor six months earlier. Ever since Pearl Harbor, the Japanese fleet had run amok in the Pacific with little opposition. The Battle of Midway changed that, and pretty much changed the course of the war. Japan went from being on offense to being on defense…where they remained for the rest of the war.
Kleiss was there, so this is a first person account, which is rare when it comes to recent World War II accounts. While he passed in 2016 and did not live to see publication, his fingerprints are all over this narrative. Recommended.
August 5, 2017
A must read for anyone interested in Midway or WW2.
November 29, 2020
Excellent. This book puts you in the Navy and in the SBD dive bomber plane in 1942. It is also a comprehensive story of an ordinary american who was was part of the Greatest Generation. More than just a war story, it is a journey of a life well lived.
April 27, 2024
An incredible account of a true American hero.
May 4, 2025
Norman Jack "Dusty" Kleiss was born in Kansas in 1916. During World War II, he was present at Pearl Harbor, though he did not engage any enemy aircraft on that date. He went on to participate in many significant air raids in the Pacific theatre, becoming one of the most legendary dive-bombing pilots the United States had. This book recounts his experience fighting in the Battle of Midway. He takes special care to note those who lost their lives in this battle and strongly resents being considered a hero in any way. In the years after Midway, Kleiss participated in several remembrance days. He also publicly criticized admirals and other commanders for their decisions surrounding Midway. He lived to be 100, dying in 2016. I liked this book, and found it important to the historical record. Eyewitness accounts are vital to understanding the human experience of a historical event.
July 4, 2017
Never Call Me a Hero by Jack “Dusty” Kleiss, the 100-year-old survivor of the Battle of Midway (he passed away in 2016), is a very matter-of-fact, non-dramatic account of his and other US naval aviators roles in the pivotal battle between the US and Imperial Japan naval forces in June 1942. Although there have been numerous accounts written on the battle in various military historical books, this first-person account, put down on paper over 60 years after the battle, provides a “you are there” account that is rarely, if ever, seen today.
Jack Kleiss was a naval aviator when war broke out between the US and Imperial Japan. A graduate of the Naval Academy and the Naval Flight School, he was thrust into several early skirmishes between the two adversaries before the climactic battle at Midway.
What I enjoyed most reading this engaging remembrance are the details of the attack by the US aviators on the Japanese carrier fleet and the shear bravery, determination and training that all came to bear in sinking the 4 Japanese carriers. His descriptions of dive bombing on the carriers are hair-raising, given the high risk of failure that could occur. Jack Kleiss reminds us that it was the approximately 60 US aviators who dealt the decisive blow to the Japanese Navy. What is the significance of this? In the first time in naval history, a major and decisive naval battle occurred where the adversarial ships were far away, out of sight and never directly engaged with each other. Jack Kleiss was one of those 60 aviators who made military history early June 1942.
The full review can be found at: http://myshelf.com/history/14/neverca...
Jack Kleiss was a naval aviator when war broke out between the US and Imperial Japan. A graduate of the Naval Academy and the Naval Flight School, he was thrust into several early skirmishes between the two adversaries before the climactic battle at Midway.
What I enjoyed most reading this engaging remembrance are the details of the attack by the US aviators on the Japanese carrier fleet and the shear bravery, determination and training that all came to bear in sinking the 4 Japanese carriers. His descriptions of dive bombing on the carriers are hair-raising, given the high risk of failure that could occur. Jack Kleiss reminds us that it was the approximately 60 US aviators who dealt the decisive blow to the Japanese Navy. What is the significance of this? In the first time in naval history, a major and decisive naval battle occurred where the adversarial ships were far away, out of sight and never directly engaged with each other. Jack Kleiss was one of those 60 aviators who made military history early June 1942.
The full review can be found at: http://myshelf.com/history/14/neverca...
September 4, 2018
Never Call Me a Hero is about Jack "Dusty" Kleiss and his life with the Scouting Squadron Six in Pacific Campaign part of WWII. The book starts one during his childhood and explains what made him join the military. Being drawn to aviation he the carrier USS Enterprise and trains for a time with his friends. While training he has to decide is will marry his girl he is into or not. Once Pearl Harbor happens his whole world is thrown for a loop. Jack ends up fighting in the Marshall, Marcus Islands, Wake Atoll, and the biggest battle of the Pacific, The Battle of Midway. Jack's retelling of his heroism is filled with many close calls, the support he receives from his friends, and how hope can prevail in the darkest of times. Jack is very humble throughout the whole book and you can fell how he felt at certain times. He knew being in the military was a job and that is exactly what he did. He did his job not only for himself but for his country. Jack was the last of his squadron alive since the book was published he has passed. I am very glad and honored to read his account of the past and to see why they are still called today, "The Greatest Generation." Never Call Me a Hero is a great read and pulls at your heart strings. During the battles, you can not put it down for the fear of wondering what will happen to Jack. Please give it a read I promise you will like it. Reading it reminds me of why I love history.
December 6, 2018
This is the true story biography of Jack “Dusty” Klein’s, a WWII Navy aircraft carrier bomber pilot who was the biggest hero in the Battle of Midway in June 1942, but who also lead a very quaint and interesting life as a simple midwestern boy, with a passion for adventure, a true American hero, a sweet love affair and romance with his eventual bride, but a sensational depiction of the navy fliers role in turning the downhill slide of America’s fortunes in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. Dusty Kleiss is common man, and would never seek notoriety (he’s one of those silent- greatest-generation types). he waited until his age-90’s to start this book, so he used expert wwII writers to take his own story ( from his letters home and his detailed diary, and all his war-buddy accounts) and it gets transformed into a very readable, highly factual, and very spellbinding tale. It’s a quick read - I finished in four nights. If you like WWII insight, if you like to read and out what makes hero’s tick, and if you like that feeling when you’ve just read about one of those really good people in life .... pick up this short bio.
August 27, 2018
Gigantic thanks to Goodreads First Reads for me getting this book. A thousand times that thanks to Mr. Kleiss for fulfilling his mission to make this view of the war known.
This book was wonderfully written, never failing to hold my interest. I liked how personal it was: using his courtship with (and subsequent marriage to) his eventual wife. He was very forthright in his views of officers and fellow aviators, sailors, and soldiers. Indeed, having read about his complaints about one fellow made me look up his own publication.
Kleiss was wonderfully contrarian, by his own admission, challenging popular historical views and bringing to light incidents that don't get enough coverage. There's a good collection of pictures included that pretty well satisfied my curiosity every time it was piqued for an illustration.
I can't suggest this book often enough to anyone who enjoys memoirs or have an interest in WWII. The military terminology shouldn't be overwhelming to anyone not knowing any, and there's a handy guide at the back of the book to help out. It's an excellent book.
This book was wonderfully written, never failing to hold my interest. I liked how personal it was: using his courtship with (and subsequent marriage to) his eventual wife. He was very forthright in his views of officers and fellow aviators, sailors, and soldiers. Indeed, having read about his complaints about one fellow made me look up his own publication.
Kleiss was wonderfully contrarian, by his own admission, challenging popular historical views and bringing to light incidents that don't get enough coverage. There's a good collection of pictures included that pretty well satisfied my curiosity every time it was piqued for an illustration.
I can't suggest this book often enough to anyone who enjoys memoirs or have an interest in WWII. The military terminology shouldn't be overwhelming to anyone not knowing any, and there's a handy guide at the back of the book to help out. It's an excellent book.
June 7, 2018
I love reading memoirs and this one did not disappoint me. It follows the experiences of Jack "Dusty" Kleiss through his youth and his fascination with flight, his on-again off-again courtship of a beautiful woman, and his prewar enlistment in the Navy. The reader experiences the trials of training as well as the growing tensions and then the shock of the news of Japan's attack of Pearl Harbor, all from the perspective of a front-line pilot.
His narrative of combat experiences builds as his unit advances through the Pacific Theater until the climactic Battle of Midway, after which Jack Kleiss was withdrawn from front line action and used to train other pilots.
The book is imminently readable. There were times when I laughed out loud. There were times when I felt tense. There were times when I felt sad. It also made me feel proud.
His narrative of combat experiences builds as his unit advances through the Pacific Theater until the climactic Battle of Midway, after which Jack Kleiss was withdrawn from front line action and used to train other pilots.
The book is imminently readable. There were times when I laughed out loud. There were times when I felt tense. There were times when I felt sad. It also made me feel proud.
December 2, 2017
The title suggests that this is a book about the battle of Midway, but in reality it is a memoir of the life of Dusty Kleiss. This does not mean that I did not enjoy the book. Dusty's life is extremely interested and helps the reader understand how this man, having lost his best companions, still completed his mission and help to sink the Japanese Navy at Midway.
Part of Dusty's background includes a richly fulfilling romance and marriage that lasted for decades, ended only through yet another painful loss. Dusty was part of America's history for 100 years and while he might not feel like he was some kind of hero...he, and his companions, were heroes of the highest order and this upcoming generation could do worse than look to them for their role models.
Part of Dusty's background includes a richly fulfilling romance and marriage that lasted for decades, ended only through yet another painful loss. Dusty was part of America's history for 100 years and while he might not feel like he was some kind of hero...he, and his companions, were heroes of the highest order and this upcoming generation could do worse than look to them for their role models.
March 10, 2018
I won this book in a giveaway, so thanks to the publisher for sending me this book!
As an aerospace engineer I obviously love planes so when I saw this book was a giveaway I jumped on it. Thankfully I won. I'm not a huge military buff but I didn't want to pass on an autobiography from a Navy dive-bomber who participated in the Battle of Midway.
This account is incredible. The details remembered about the battle were so vivid. The telling was exciting and the writing never got dry. This is definitely a book everyone should read if you're even slightly interested in history and the effect of war on a person. This stuff is important. Jack Kleiss lived an incredible life and I'm glad I got to read about it.
As an aerospace engineer I obviously love planes so when I saw this book was a giveaway I jumped on it. Thankfully I won. I'm not a huge military buff but I didn't want to pass on an autobiography from a Navy dive-bomber who participated in the Battle of Midway.
This account is incredible. The details remembered about the battle were so vivid. The telling was exciting and the writing never got dry. This is definitely a book everyone should read if you're even slightly interested in history and the effect of war on a person. This stuff is important. Jack Kleiss lived an incredible life and I'm glad I got to read about it.
June 3, 2021
I can’t recommend this book enough. My husband and I went to see the movie midway yesterday and of course I then researched books to read to learn more about the history. I love details! This book is so amazing when you consider the amount of bravery that goes into being any kind of soldier, airman, or any part of the military. Especially in WWII. I didn’t even know what a dive bomber was prior to the movie and now knowing; the skill and bravery of each man brings me to tears!
This is an action packed read and the knowledge that it actually happened will make the hair on your arms stand on edge. Mr. Kleiss is a national treasure. I really enjoyed his book and am so happy he lead such a long and beautiful life.
This is an action packed read and the knowledge that it actually happened will make the hair on your arms stand on edge. Mr. Kleiss is a national treasure. I really enjoyed his book and am so happy he lead such a long and beautiful life.
August 23, 2017
The long silent veterans from the Second World War are finally willing to tell the stories of their experiences as they approach the end of their lives. This is one of the veterans who served in the US Navy during the Battle of Midway. It is a compelling account. Most of the men were "just doing their jobs." But their jobs were extremely risky and carried the possibility of sudden death or disfigurement, often due to accidents and often due to no fault of their own. Yet they did the jobs they were trained to do which required considerable courage. I have tremendous respect for what they did. This book is a worthwhile experience. I am glad that I read it.
June 6, 2018
A fascinating memoir and a must-read for anyone interested in WWII. I journeyed alongside Dusty as he recounted his life from a young child to a 99 year old veteran. I rejoiced with him in his triumphs and mourned with him in his losses. It was an amazing ride for sure! As a Christian, what I found most interesting were the numerous acts of Providence not only in Dusty's life, but also in the outcome of the Battle of Midway. While Dusty didn't recognize God's hand in everything, it was certainly there.
While a great read overall, I would recommend this book to older audiences as there were a handful of cuss words throughout the book (specifically the a, b, C, d, h, and G words).
While a great read overall, I would recommend this book to older audiences as there were a handful of cuss words throughout the book (specifically the a, b, C, d, h, and G words).
November 20, 2017
Note: I did receive this book as part of a Giveaway. I also am a very sympathetic reader, because my grandfather was in Naval Aviation in World War II. But the opinions are my own.
I found this to be a very charming, clear autobiography. Although the content can be difficult because of the tragedies of war, I recommend this book to anyone interested in Naval history or life in the 40s in general. I do not particularly like military history in general (I find it difficult to want to keep track of the types of ships, planes, etc.), but this book really had Dusty as its focus, and he seems like one heck of a guy.
I found this to be a very charming, clear autobiography. Although the content can be difficult because of the tragedies of war, I recommend this book to anyone interested in Naval history or life in the 40s in general. I do not particularly like military history in general (I find it difficult to want to keep track of the types of ships, planes, etc.), but this book really had Dusty as its focus, and he seems like one heck of a guy.
January 29, 2018
This is an excellent book and a well-written historical gem. It has a great balance between historical fact, and story-telling. I didn't feel like the author was just throwing facts at me; it was a story. It was great to read about Kleiss' life leading up to, and after, WWII. And the battle scenes are well written, exciting, and moved fast.
My heart broke for all the men who gave their lives for us! This truly was a great generation!
I won a copy of this, and figured I would donate it to the library after I read it, but now I plan to keep it around for my kids to read as they get older!
*I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
My heart broke for all the men who gave their lives for us! This truly was a great generation!
I won a copy of this, and figured I would donate it to the library after I read it, but now I plan to keep it around for my kids to read as they get older!
*I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
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