Inferno: The True Story of a B-17 Gunner's Heroism and the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History
by Joe Pappalardo
There's no higher accolade in the U.S. military than the Medal of Honor, and 472 people received it for their action during World War II. But only one was demoted right after: Maynard Harrison Smith.Smith is one of the most unlikely heroes of the war, where he served in B-17s during the early days of the bombing of France and Germany from England. From his juvenile delinquent past in Michigan, through the war and during the decades after, Smith's life seemed to be a series of very public missteps. The other airmen took to calling the 5-foot, 5-inch airman "Snuffy" after an unappealing movie character.This is the man who, on a tragically mishandled mission over France on May 1, 1943, single-handedly saved the crewman in his stricken B-17. His ordeal is part of a forgotten mission that aircrews came to call the May Day Massacre. The skies over Europe in 1943 were a charnel house for U.S. pilots, who were being led by tacticians surprised by the brutal effectiveness of German defenses. By May 1943 the combat losses among bomb crews were a staggering 40 to 50 percent.This book examines Smith's life in a new light, through the use of exclusive interviews of those who knew him (including fellow MOH recipients and family) as well as public and archival records. This is both a thrilling and horrifying story of the air war over Europe and a fascinating look at one of America's forgotten heroes.
Paperback
English
Brand New
Author Biography
JOE PAPPALARDO is the author of the critically acclaimed books Inferno: The True Story of a B 17 Gunner's Heroism and the Bloodiest Military Campaign in Aviation History, Sunflowers: The Secret History and Spaceport Earth: The Reinvention of Spaceflight. Pappalardo is a former associate editor and occasional contributor at Smithsonian Air & Space, and has worked at National Defense, and American Way magazines. He is also a former editor in chief of the Dallas Observer. He has appeared on CNN, Fox News, CNBC and C-SPAN. He's a regular guest on the nationally syndicated radio program, The John Bachelor Show.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents Introduction: Ghost the Memorabilia Part 1: Hokie Goes to War Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Part 2: May 1, 1943 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Part 3: Missions and Medal Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Part 4: Deflection Shots Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Part 5: Post War Dream Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Acknowledgments End Notes
Review
"With both his heroism and his flaws, Medal of Honor recipient 'Snuffy Smith' perfectly represents the dramatic and deadly campaign for control of the skies over Europe in World War II. The ornery, charming, and brave B-17 tail gunner anchors this thrilling tale of how, warts and all, we won that brilliant and bloody air war." --Tom Clavin, New York Times bestselling author "Mr. Pappalardo, a veteran journalist, has a nice way with words. The mission itself, targeting German submarine pens in France, is fairly routine and brilliantly described...a wonderful yarn." --Wall Street Journal "Inferno is written with the energy, resolve, bloody-mindedness of a B-17. This is the Greatest Generation reconsidered as a diminutive Michigan-born anti-hero who is awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his amazing conduct on his first combat mission over Europe, May 1, 1943. Pappalardo's story takes on more than Maynard's Smith's pell-mell and eventually surprisingly sad life. The book reconsiders the still controversial American decision to carry out daylight bomber attacks, 1943-44, that led to well-documented and shocking casualty rates. This is a thrilling and important read." --John Batchelor, nationally syndicated radio host and author
Promotional
The true story of the men who flew the deadliest missions of World War II, and an unlikely hero who received the Medal of Honor.
Review Quote
"Mr. Pappalardo, a veteran journalist, has a nice way with words. The mission itself, targeting German submarine pens in France, is fairly routine and brilliantly described...a wonderful yarn." -- Wall Street Journal "With both his heroism and his flaws, Medal of Honor recipient 'Snuffy Smith' perfectly represents the dramatic and deadly campaign for control of the skies over Europe in World War II. The ornery, charming, and brave B-17 tail gunner anchors this thrilling tale of how, warts and all, we won that brilliant and bloody air war." --Tom Clavin, New York Times bestselling author of Tombstone and co-author of Lucky 666 " Inferno is written with the energy, resolve, bloody-mindedness of a B-17. This is the Greatest Generation reconsidered as a diminutive Michigan-born anti-hero who is awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his amazing conduct on his first combat mission over Europe, May 1, 1943. Pappalardo's story takes on more than Maynard's Smith's pell-mell and eventually surprisingly sad life. The book reconsiders the still controversial American decision to carry out daylight bomber attacks, 1943-44, that led to well-documented and shocking casualty rates. This is a thrilling and important read." --John Batchelor, nationally syndicated radio host and author
Promotional "Headline"
The true story of the men who flew the deadliest missions of World War II, and an unlikely hero who received the Medal of Honor.
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