Above and Beyond: The Aviation Medals of Honor

Sea Power, Jul 2003 by Gardner, Sherry L

ABOVE AND BEYOND: The Aviation Medals of Honor, by Barrett Tillman, Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institute Press, Sept. 2002. 294 pp. $29.95 ISBN: 1-58834-056-2. Barrett Tillman, a pilot and award-winning author of 30 books, was inspired to write this book as a followup to an article he wrote for Flight Journal.

Since 1918, more than 100 aviators (pilots and crew) from all of the nation's military services have re-ceived the Medal of Honor. Through a combination of interviews with surviving fliers and his own in-depth research, Tillman presents the inspiring stories behind the medals-and in many cases "sets the record straight." Some of the most famous U.S. airmen are represented-Frank Luke Jr., Jimmy Doolittle, and Patrick Brady, to name but three-but lesser known fliers also are given the recognition they deserve. In his final chapter, The Aviation Medals of Honor in Perspective, Tillman discusses the demographics, combat experience, mortality, and professional backgrounds of these aviation Medal of Honor awardees, and provides a thoughtful look at the history of the award and its recipients. Tillman's gripping profiles of their selfless acts ensure that their heroism will long be remembered. With 88 black-and-white photographs, bibliography, and index.