WWII - 1944 - Th e Pacifi c War Zone In the Pacific Fleet Replacement Pilot Pool at Pearl Harbor, Ensign Bruce Weber receives training in the new Grumman Hellcat fighter planes. He is then assigned to a fighter squadron aboard a carrier. Bruce demonstrates exceptional airmanship skills, shooting down several enemy aircraft. After he has accounted for more than a dozen enemy planes, squadron enlisted personnel repaint their hero's plane with white engine speedring and tail to resemble a bald eagle. During the first few months of the deployment, three of Bruce's close friends are shot down by Kenji Okada, a Japanese super ace known as "The Osprey." Okada flies a Distinctively painted Zero. Bruce swears vengeance and searches for the Osprey on every flight. The two aces eventually meet. The dogfight is long and difficult but Bruce finally shoots Okada down. Returning to the carrier, Bruce lands almost out of fuel just before the ship is disabled by a Kamikaze. Fire decimates the aircraft and the ship is out of action. Both are ordered back to the states, their fighting days over at least for a while.

WWII - 1942 - Coastal South Carolina Twenty year old Bruce Weber is arrested, accused of running bootleg whiskey in his souped up hot rod. He is given the option of going to jail or enlisting in the V-5 US Naval Aviation Cadet Program (that does not allow cadets to drive) by a local judge. Bruce elects the latter and is sent to Pre-Flight School at the Univ. of GA, to St.Louis MO for primary training and to Pensacola for "Final Squadron." During Cadet Training, Bruce's experiences many dramatic -- sometimes dangerous, sometimes trying, often humorous - incidents and a few romantic interludes. Although he demonstrates exceptional flying ability and leadership that gains the admiration of fellow cadets and his flight instructors, he has a short temper and has difficulty with regulations. Nearing completion of flight training, Bruce is deeply concerned because he is in danger of "washing-out" due to accumulated demerits.

In the mid-1930s, high-schooler Joe Sullivan, slightly crippled by a childhood accident and therefore ineligible for enlistment in the US Armed forces feels his future is very dim. Befriended by a Japanese maritime radio officer, Takeo Okada, Joe decides to become a ship's radioman. After obtaining an amateur radio operator's license and a commercial op's certificate, Joe maintains radio contact with his Japanese benefactor until he hears from another Japanese amateur that Takeo was lost in a ship wreck. Applying for a shipboard radio job just before his 18th birthday, Joe meets and is seduced by Kate Nelson, the company president's secretary. He becomes involved in a continuing feud with "Bull" Taylor, the ship's first mate. He learns that both his parents are killed in an auto accident. Joe, despondent over the loss of Takeo and his parents turns too whiskey and women. In a stop-over in Hawaii he meets and falls in love with a nisei, Myoshi. After a short-lived affair, Joe departs Hawaii. When his ship strikes a Japanese mine near Makin Island, Joe is the sole survivor. Rescued by native fishermen he is taken to a hospital on a French controlled island. Regaining his health, he is taken to Australia where he is induced by the officer in charge of coast watchers to serve a half-year stint on an isolated island. After reporting enemy ship movement during the Battle of the Coral Sea, Joe is unnerved when he sees a one- armed man put ashore on the opposite end of the island by Japanese navy men. He later discovers that the one armed man is his old friend. Takeo had lost an arm when attacked by sharks, and was no longer an asset to the IJN as a fighting man. The two renew their old friendship even though their countries are at war - friend and foe. They enjoy their island life even though alarmed by several incidents that threatened discovery. When the time comes for Joe to be relieved of his duty, he sadly leaves his friend alone on the island.

During the 1930s in coastal South Carolina, ten year old Matt Cogswell (white) and 11 year old George Wigfall (black) become inseparable pals. It is George's father who gave him the uncomplimentary name - Fathead. The boys share many happy adventures and growing experiences until George moves away to a big city. Matt does not understand. He is disillusioned and distressed. George's widowed mother remarries and the boy's name is changed. A decade passes and the US is involved in WWII. The two men find themselves in the crew of the same US Navy destroyer. George recognizes Matt but the white lad, now a commissioned officer, looks down on the unrecognized enlisted steward's mate. Seeing the way the black man dallies with white prostitutes on liberty in foreign and northern US ports further exasperates the situation. Not until the ship is attacked and badly damaged by German aircraft while escorting a convoy to Europe do the two men come to remember their past friendship.

A true history lesson deftly woven into the plot of a fictional novel of high adventure and intrigue with romantic interludes Teenage Gray Cloud, well trained and adept in the skills of his Catawba hunter/warrior relatives, is deemed ready to go to Charles Town to further his education and to learn the ways of the white man. He is given a "white man's" name, Truly Doran, by his father Sean Doran - long hunter, trapper, and guide/scout for the British. Sean has amassed a tidy fortune, held in trust by his friend, Henry Siles, a ship factor in the port city. While studying at the newly founded college at Charles Town, Truly experiences many exciting situations and becomes acquainted with famous historical persons. He also experiences several love affairs with different girls (strumpets and "nice" girls). He observes and eventually becomes involved in the conflict between hardscrabble farmers in the up-country and the spoiled scions of rich plantation owners. Befriended by Francis Marion, he later serves as chief scout for the "Swamp Fox" during the war of rebellion. Early on, Truly fights beside Sgt. William Jasper under command of Col. William Moultrie at the palmetto-log fort on Sullivan's Island. During the war he is assigned as a scout to Lt. Col. William Washington's cavalry as the Patriot dragoons counter the murderous thrusts of the green-coated British Loyal Legion led by Lt. Col. Banister "Bloody Ban" Tarleton. Although officially a member of Francis Marion's legion, Truly is often detached for service as scout and fighter in skirmishes with other Patriot leaders throughout the colony. He assists Daniel Morgan at the Cowpens, and Gates at Camden, and served in three battles trying to prevent the British from taking Charles Town. Truly is also involved in the decisive battles at the Waxhaws, King's Mountain and Eutaw Springs, among others. Throughout the war, he is active against Tarleton in a dozen major skirmishes.

A true history lesson deftly woven into the plot of a fictional novel of high adventure and intrigue with romantic interludes Teenage Gray Cloud, well trained and adept in the skills of his Catawba hunter/warrior relatives, is deemed ready to go to Charles Town to further his education and to learn the ways of the white man. He is given a "white man's" name, Truly Doran, by his father Sean Doran - long hunter, trapper, and guide/scout for the British. Sean has amassed a tidy fortune, held in trust by his friend, Henry Siles, a ship factor in the port city. While studying at the newly founded college at Charles Town, Truly experiences many exciting situations and becomes acquainted with famous historical persons. He also experiences several love affairs with different girls (strumpets and "nice" girls). He observes and eventually becomes involved in the conflict between hardscrabble farmers in the up-country and the spoiled scions of rich plantation owners. Befriended by Francis Marion, he later serves as chief scout for the "Swamp Fox" during the war of rebellion. Early on, Truly fights beside Sgt. William Jasper under command of Col. William Moultrie at the palmetto-log fort on Sullivan's Island. During the war he is assigned as a scout to Lt. Col. William Washington's cavalry as the Patriot dragoons counter the murderous thrusts of the green-coated British Loyal Legion led by Lt. Col. Banister "Bloody Ban" Tarleton. Although officially a member of Francis Marion's legion, Truly is often detached for service as scout and fighter in skirmishes with other Patriot leaders throughout the colony. He assists Daniel Morgan at the Cowpens, and Gates at Camden, and served in three battles trying to prevent the British from taking Charles Town. Truly is also involved in the decisive battles at the Waxhaws, King's Mountain and Eutaw Springs, among others. Throughout the war, he is active against Tarleton in a dozen major skirmishes.

WWII - 1942 - Coastal South Carolina Twenty year old Bruce Weber is arrested, accused of running bootleg whiskey in his souped up hot rod. He is given the option of going to jail or enlisting in the V-5 US Naval Aviation Cadet Program (that does not allow cadets to drive) by a local judge. Bruce elects the latter and is sent to Pre-Flight School at the Univ. of GA, to St.Louis MO for primary training and to Pensacola for "Final Squadron." During Cadet Training, Bruce's experiences many dramatic -- sometimes dangerous, sometimes trying, often humorous - incidents and a few romantic interludes. Although he demonstrates exceptional flying ability and leadership that gains the admiration of fellow cadets and his flight instructors, he has a short temper and has difficulty with regulations. Nearing completion of flight training, Bruce is deeply concerned because he is in danger of "washing-out" due to accumulated demerits.

In the mid-1930s, high-schooler Joe Sullivan, slightly crippled by a childhood accident and therefore ineligible for enlistment in the US Armed forces feels his future is very dim. Befriended by a Japanese maritime radio officer, Takeo Okada, Joe decides to become a ship's radioman. After obtaining an amateur radio operator's license and a commercial op's certificate, Joe maintains radio contact with his Japanese benefactor until he hears from another Japanese amateur that Takeo was lost in a ship wreck. Applying for a shipboard radio job just before his 18th birthday, Joe meets and is seduced by Kate Nelson, the company president's secretary. He becomes involved in a continuing feud with "Bull" Taylor, the ship's first mate. He learns that both his parents are killed in an auto accident. Joe, despondent over the loss of Takeo and his parents turns too whiskey and women. In a stop-over in Hawaii he meets and falls in love with a nisei, Myoshi. After a short-lived affair, Joe departs Hawaii. When his ship strikes a Japanese mine near Makin Island, Joe is the sole survivor. Rescued by native fishermen he is taken to a hospital on a French controlled island. Regaining his health, he is taken to Australia where he is induced by the officer in charge of coast watchers to serve a half-year stint on an isolated island. After reporting enemy ship movement during the Battle of the Coral Sea, Joe is unnerved when he sees a one- armed man put ashore on the opposite end of the island by Japanese navy men. He later discovers that the one armed man is his old friend. Takeo had lost an arm when attacked by sharks, and was no longer an asset to the IJN as a fighting man. The two renew their old friendship even though their countries are at war - friend and foe. They enjoy their island life even though alarmed by several incidents that threatened discovery. When the time comes for Joe to be relieved of his duty, he sadly leaves his friend alone on the island.

During the 1930s in coastal South Carolina, ten year old Matt Cogswell (white) and 11 year old George Wigfall (black) become inseparable pals. It is George's father who gave him the uncomplimentary name - Fathead. The boys share many happy adventures and growing experiences until George moves away to a big city. Matt does not understand. He is disillusioned and distressed. George's widowed mother remarries and the boy's name is changed. A decade passes and the US is involved in WWII. The two men find themselves in the crew of the same US Navy destroyer. George recognizes Matt but the white lad, now a commissioned officer, looks down on the unrecognized enlisted steward's mate. Seeing the way the black man dallies with white prostitutes on liberty in foreign and northern US ports further exasperates the situation. Not until the ship is attacked and badly damaged by German aircraft while escorting a convoy to Europe do the two men come to remember their past friendship.

WWII - 1944 - Th e Pacifi c War Zone In the Pacific Fleet Replacement Pilot Pool at Pearl Harbor, Ensign Bruce Weber receives training in the new Grumman Hellcat fighter planes. He is then assigned to a fighter squadron aboard a carrier. Bruce demonstrates exceptional airmanship skills, shooting down several enemy aircraft. After he has accounted for more than a dozen enemy planes, squadron enlisted personnel repaint their hero's plane with white engine speedring and tail to resemble a bald eagle. During the first few months of the deployment, three of Bruce's close friends are shot down by Kenji Okada, a Japanese super ace known as "The Osprey." Okada flies a Distinctively painted Zero. Bruce swears vengeance and searches for the Osprey on every flight. The two aces eventually meet. The dogfight is long and difficult but Bruce finally shoots Okada down. Returning to the carrier, Bruce lands almost out of fuel just before the ship is disabled by a Kamikaze. Fire decimates the aircraft and the ship is out of action. Both are ordered back to the states, their fighting days over at least for a while.