MacArthur’s Air Force: American Airpower over the Pacific and the Far East, 1941–51

Praise for MacArthur’s Air Force: American Airpower over the Pacific and the Far East, 1941–51

“A book by Bill Yenne is always a treat, and this one exceeds his own best efforts. I can guarantee that you will be engaged by his master storytelling from his opening words to the very last page of what I consider to be his finest work yet.” —Col. Walter J. Boyne, USAF (Ret.), combat veteran and aviation historian

“'Bill Yenne has given readers another fact-filled, chronological book detailing the Pacific War with MacArthur's Air Force... [This book] is for the reader who wants a broad history filled in with the fun details. Who else but Bill Yenne would quote messages back and forth of American air commanders trying to rein in air ace Richard Bong as he kept wanting to fly? The tongue-in-cheek admonishments of the generals to Bong to be careful in the air are worth the price of this book” —Clint Johnson, author of 'Tin Cans & Greyhounds: The Destroyers that Won Two World Wars'

“This authoritative and engaging work of military nonfiction traces the history of the air forces commanded by General Douglas MacArthur, from the B-17 bomber crews defending the Philippines against Japanese invasion in 1941 to the F-86 jet pilots dueling with Communist MiGs over Korea a decade later. A must-read for anyone interested in American airpower and the epic career of one of the nation's most famous-and controversial-military leaders.” —Steven K. Bailey, author of 'Bold Venture: The American Bombing of Japanese-Occupied Hong Kong, 1942-1945'

“In this book, Bill Yenne expertly guides the reader through the development of MacArthur's air force, from just a few planes and crews to the force that would dominate the skies and lead to the final days of the Rising Sun. This revelatory and groundbreaking chronicle reinforces the legacy of a general who stands alone in modern military history.” —Brian Sobel, author of 'The Fighting Pattons'

“Meticulously researched and exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "MacArthur's Air Force: American Airpower over the Pacific and the Far East, 1941 - 51" is an impressively informative contribution to both community and academic library 20th Century American Military Aviation collections.” —Midwest Book Review

“Bill Yenne's story of the airmen who exhibited those traits in the skies over the southwest Pacific and Korea is a welcome reminder of the debt all Americans owe to those (now men and women) who fight for us.” —New York Journal of Books

“Yenne is to be saluted for penning an objective chronicle of a crucial but often overlooked part of the five-star general's legacy.” —Toy Soldier & Model Figure

“Aviation historian Yenne gives us a good look at American air power in the Pacific and East Asia from the early 1930s through the Korean War … good book for anyone interested in air power or the Pacific War, the lack of documentation makes it less useful for the serious scholar of the subject.” —New York Military Affairs Symposium

“Throughout, Yenne provides a detailed, objective assessment of how the controversial general alternately used and misused airpower via his successive flying commanders. In that regard, MacArthur's Air Force likely will become a standard reference.” —History Net

“Yenne's book provides a balanced treatment of MacArthur's controversial moves that led to his unceremonious dismissal by an irate President Harry Truman.” —Aviation History