{"product_id":"jungle-ace-the-story-of-one-of-the-usaafs-great-fighter-leaders-col-gerald-r-johnson-9781574883572","title":"Jungle Ace: The Story of One of the Usaaf's Great Fighter Leaders  Col. Gerald R. Johnson","description":"\u003cp\u003eIlluminates the life of a unique warrior  who was both a daredevil fighter ace and a highly effective combat leader  Contains dozens of previously unpublished photographs and compelling details about life in the Pacific Theater  based on public archives  personal papers  and history interviews  Examines major aerial combat actions from the Aleutian Islands to the Southwest Pacific Theater The brief but accomplished life of Army Air Forces fighter ace Gerald Johnson (1920-1945) is the subject of John Brunings latest book. Flying the powerful P-38 and possessing lethal shooting skill  Johnson shot down 24 Japanese aircraft in 265 combat missions during thirty-six months in the Pacific Theater. At the age of 24  he commanded the highest-scoring fighter group in the Pacific  the 49th. With Dick Bong and Tommy McGuire  he formed an early triumvirate of 5th Air Force aces. A fellow pilot later called him \"the Luke Skywalker of my generation.\" Tragically  though Johnson had survived three combat tours  which included a mid-air collision with a Japanese aircraft and being shot down by friendly fire  the new father disappeared without a trace while flying a courier mission in bad weather one month after wars end and shortly before his planned return home. At the time  he was one of the youngest full colonels in the U.S. Army Air Force.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45651514753077,"sku":"ByrdShop_1574883577","price":168.15,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9781574883572.jpg?v=1781835333","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/jungle-ace-the-story-of-one-of-the-usaafs-great-fighter-leaders-col-gerald-r-johnson-9781574883572","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}