Not Just Another War Story: A True To Life Account of WWII

It is the spring of 1942 and as Steve Carmichael celebrates graduating from the University of Florida, it is clear to every young man in America that a war is on. Six months have passed since the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and ordinary citizens stand united, ready to fight against the tyranny of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. Steve, who grew up on a cattle ranch in Kissimmee, Florida, had two passions in life: baseball and flying. At the age of 11, his father, Ray, purchased an old mail-route biplane, and within a year, Steve was soaring with the birds. It was an easy decision for Steve to join the Army Air Corps and pursue his desire to pilot the B-17 Flying Fortress. In flight school, Steve meets his future copilot and best friend, Howie Van Dyke. Stationed overseas in Chelveston, England, with the Eighth Air Force, they form the tight-knit crew of Pappy's Pack in the 305th Bomb Group. Action-packed air battles ensue as they fight deadly flak and German Luftwaffe in the skies of occupied Europe. Though they must complete a total of 30 missions before earning a trip back to the States, a young British nurse named Maggie captures the attention of Steve, and he finds himself torn by both the uncertainty of love and the business of war. Not Just Another War Story is a glowing tribute to the young airmen of World War II. MacDowell writes a powerful story of the hopes, dreams and loves of the B-17 crew members who risked their lives at 25,000 feet in the air.