Description
Book SynopsisThe record of Carrier Air Group 15 in World War II is astonishing by any measure: it scored 312 enemy aircraft destroyed, 33 probably destroyed, and 65 damaged in aerial combat, plus 348 destroyed, 161 probably destroyed, and 129 damaged in ground attacks. Twenty-six Fighting 15 pilots became aces, including their leader, Commander David McCampbell, who became the U.S. Navy’s “Ace of Aces.” Twenty-one squadron pilots were killed in action and one in an operational accident aboard the carrier Essex.
The fighter squadron’s partners, Bombing Squadron 15 and Torpedo Squadron 15, scored 174,300 tons of enemy shipping, including 37 cargo vessels sunk, 10 probably sunk, and 39 damaged. As well, Musashi, the world’s largest battleship, was sunk, along with a light aircraft carrier, a destroyer, destroyer escort, two minesweepers and other craft - plus the Zuikaku, the last surviving carrier that participated in the Pearl Harbor attack. Incredibly, every pilot of Torpedo 15 was awarded the Navy Cross, the highest award for bravery after the Medal of Honor.
All of this took place between May and November, 1944. No other American combat unit in any service came close to a similar score in such a short time period. Air Group 15 participated in the two greatest naval battles in history, the Philippine Sea - also known as the Marianas Turkey Shoot - and Leyte Gulf, which saw the end of Japanese naval power. On June 19, 1944, Fighting 15 shot down 68.5 attacking Japanese aircraft, a one-day record unmatched by any other U.S. fighter squadron.
In documenting the saga of Air Group 15's momentous six months at war, the author provides an intimate and insightful view of the group’s fabled combat tour, including details of daily life and human interactions aboard the fleet carrier USS Essex during the busiest phase of the Pacific War.
Trade ReviewThis is a fascinating story of the CAG15 war in some of the key battles of the Pacific theatre. It is strongly recommended for both the general reader and the expert alike. * Miniature Wargames 11/05/2021 *
..an interesting read for improving your history knowledge and your next model build. * DetailScaleView 02/08/2021 *
The vivid description gives the reader a real feel for the time, showing just how gruelling and frustrating life at sea as a pilot or enlisted air crewman could be in 1944 as they tried to follow a key rule of combat flying, "Never get to like a guy so well you can't see him die. * Classic Wings 01/09/2021 *
Their story is told here in a most exciting and interesting way. It is very hard to put down. * Baird Maritime *
This is an action-packed book that, once started, is difficult to put down. * Flight Line Book Review 11/05/2021 *
I highly recommend this book to historians, enthusiasts, and anyone with an interest in US carrier aviation in the Pacific during the Second World War. It is a fitting tribute to the men of Carrier Air Group 15. * Military Enthusiast Book Club 05/07/2021 *
