Toliver, Raymond F. and Trevor J. Constable. Fighter Aces of the U.S.A.. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military History, 1997.

ISBN 0-7643-0348-1
400 pages

Acknowledgments; Introduction; photos; Epilogue; Index.

Appendices: Ace Lists

In this oversize volume authors Toliver and Constable gather the complete records of every American ace from World War I to the present day: "...even Americans who fought with the Allies before American entry into World War I have been 'brought home' as American aces."

Although the appendices contain pilot-by-pilot tabular listings (with name, hometown, rank, fighter unit, and number of victories) for every ace in each of America's wars, the bulk of the book is a narrative account of fighter operations with an emphasis on the view from the cockpit and interspersed with first hand accounts. The account is divided into nine main sections:

Aces of World War I
USAAF Aces of the World War II Pacific Theater
USAAF Aces of the World War II European Theater (1)
USAAF Aces of the World War II European Theater (2)
U.S. Navy Aces of World War II (1)
U.S. Navy Aces of World War II (2)
U.S. Marine Corps Aces of World War II
Aces of the Korean War
Aces of the Vietnam War

An additional chapter provides an interesting glimpse at some of the enemy aces who faced the Yanks in the air, including Japanese, German, and Soviet pilots.

But the heart of the book tells the story of the rare breed of men (the authors say that only 1% of America's 100,000 military pilots became aces) who were credited with five or more aerial victories: what they were like and what they did.

   Fifth Air Force pilots who flew with Dick Bong have often said they believe the Dick Bong-Thomas Lynch team to have been the hottest fighter combination in the Pacific. Certainly it was the hottest Army team in the theater. Lynch was an exceptional leader in his own right. With a final score of twenty aerial victories in World War II, Lynch proved himself to be among America's best fighter pilots. When Lynch teamed with Bong, a formidable fighting partnership was forged, as numerous Japanese pilots discovered.
   Bong and Lynch would trade the leadership position during a rhubarb with perfection and precision, as though each were intuitively flying the other's aircraft as well as his own. Like two men constantly able to read each other's thoughts, one was always in firing position on the enemy, while the other kept the shooting aircraft's tail clear.
   Bong, Lynch, Lt. Delman Moore and another American pilot became involved in a fracas with Japanese fighters one day, and Lt. Moore's P-38 was hit in one engine by enemy gunfire. 200 miles from home base and with Moore's plane crippled, the four Americans were surrounded by Japanese fighters. Seeing Moore's plight, Bong ordered him to head for home
   Acting as rear guard, Bong and Lynch with their superb teamwork kept the aggressive Japanese from attacking the cripple. Edging homeward at single-engine speed, the four Americans made base without further loss. Lt. Moore probably owed his life to his ace buddies who were more concerned with protecting him than trying to pile up more aerial victories.

Heavily illustrated with photos, including photographic essays of "America's Top Fighter Aces", "Aces Awarded the Medal of Honor", "The Magnificent Seven" (pilots who became aces in two wars), and "American Aces with Twenty or More Victories".

A "must read" for fighter fans.

Available from online booksellers, local bookshops, or directly from Schiffer.

Thanks to Schiffer for providing this review copy.