America's Few

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This book explores the history of US Marine Corps aviation during World War II, focusing on the top-scoring aces over Guadalcanal. Marine aviation began in 1915 as a self-contained expeditionary force, gradually evolving during the interwar period to support amphibious operations. The attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 marked a turning point, with Marine aviators quickly engaging the Japanese at Wake Island. In the South Pacific, Marine Corps aviators emerged as a formidable air force. By the summer of 1942, they played a crucial role in the Cactus Air Force, a unified Allied airpower effort, with Major General Roy Geiger leading the charge. Among the twelve fighter squadrons in this force, eight were from the Marine Corps. Joe Foss, commander of VMF-121, became a symbol of Marine aviation, leading his squadron to down 72 enemy aircraft, with Foss achieving 26 victories himself. Pappy Boyington, who joined the Marine Corps in 1935 and commanded VMF-214, also matched Foss's score by late 1943. The book highlights the parallel stories of these aces and others, such as Ken Walsh, Don Aldrich, John L. Smith, Wilbur Thomas, and Marion Carl, many of whom received the Medal of Honor, while acclaimed aviation historian Bill Yenne examines the evolution of Marine aviation in the South Pacific.