December 31, 2008
December 6, 2008
November 4, 2008
October 18, 2008
BEST-SELLING AUTHOR TO SPEAK AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE
DAYTON, Ohio - Join best-selling author Dr. Donald L. Miller as he discusses his award-winning book, Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany, on Oct. 30 at 7:30p.m. at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
The book, which appeared on the Air Force Chief of Staff's 2007 reading list, describes the deep personal story of the American Eighth Air Force, which fought the longest American military campaign of World War
II and lost more men in the war than the U.S. Marine Corps.
Dr. Miller focuses on both sets of victims in the air war: the German people who were bombed and the American crews who did the bombing. He also explains the military impact and mortality of strategic bombing, as well as the mental strain of the air crews, which served as the theme of the popular Hollywood film, twelve O'Clock High!
This free lecture will be held in the museum's Carney Auditorium and is open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Special book-signings will take place in the museum's gift shop prior to the lecture at 1 p.m., and then again following the lecture in the Carney Auditorium.
Dr. Miller, who is also the author of eight other books, received his Ph.D. in history from the University of Maryland, and has taught at Cornell University, the University of Maryland, the University of Pennsylvania and is currently the John Henry MacCracken Professor of History at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa.
His articles and reviews have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune, and his books have been nominated for every major American literary prize, including the Pulitzer, the National Book Award, and the National Book Critics Circle award.
He is a contributing editor of American Heritage magazine, host and chief historian of the PBS series, A Biography of America, and has participated in the writing and production of more than two dozen television documentaries, including American 1900, which received a prestigious Peabody Award.
Dr. Miller also serves as chief historical consultant and script editor on two film projects including a Tom Hanks production on WWII for the National D-Day Museum, and a 10-part series on WWII based on the diaries of Allied and Axis combatants for The History Channel.
In addition, he is working on two more books titled Supreme City: New York in the 1920s, and The Siege: The Fight for Vicksburg, the Decisive Battle of the American Civil War and also serves as chief historical adviser to the CEO of the National World War II Museum.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is located on Springfield Street, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free.
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123119423.
October 7, 2008
October 1, 2008
August 30, 2008
July 6, 2008
June 2008 Summary: Col. James H Kasler presentation
Tuesday, July 8, 2008 Col. James H. Kasler shared some of his story with us at our monthly dinner. Below are just a few notes that I have from the event. They are not comprehensive. Col. Kasler shared so much! Thank you, Col. Kasler, for the visit.
Regarding the F-100, Col. Kasler said the aircraft was very difficult to fly at first and that it was sent back to the manufacturer after he, and other test pilots, flew it. Six to seven months later they got it back and the improvements made it a much better aircraft to fly. When it was deployed Chuck Yeager got command of the first wing at Edwards AFB, and Col. Kasler got the second wing based out of Nellis AFB.
Col. Kasler shared that he spent six and half years as a POW in Viet Nam. If I heard the story correctly from the back of the room, his first contact with John McCain was through the "tap code". He later ended up "rooming" with John McCain in prison. More of what Col. Kasler endured during his captivity is shared on this article from the POW Network carrying his bio (note: it is not for the faint of heart).
Since he could only be with us for a couple of hours, I did a few searches on the internet and found a few more interesting nuggets (links below) to share with the club:
And if you didn't get a copy of his book, Tempered Steel, you can purchase a copy at the link below, or your local bookstore.
7/16 Update: John Brill sent in some pictures from the event. Here's a picture of our club President with Col. Kasler. The rest of the pictures can be viewed here.
Regarding the F-100, Col. Kasler said the aircraft was very difficult to fly at first and that it was sent back to the manufacturer after he, and other test pilots, flew it. Six to seven months later they got it back and the improvements made it a much better aircraft to fly. When it was deployed Chuck Yeager got command of the first wing at Edwards AFB, and Col. Kasler got the second wing based out of Nellis AFB.
Col. Kasler shared that he spent six and half years as a POW in Viet Nam. If I heard the story correctly from the back of the room, his first contact with John McCain was through the "tap code". He later ended up "rooming" with John McCain in prison. More of what Col. Kasler endured during his captivity is shared on this article from the POW Network carrying his bio (note: it is not for the faint of heart).
Since he could only be with us for a couple of hours, I did a few searches on the internet and found a few more interesting nuggets (links below) to share with the club:
- Col. James Kasler Senior Squadron
- Illinois town dedicates park to local war hero
- Entry @ Wikipedia
- Kankakee is Proud Home of Air Forces Most Highly Decorated Veteran
7/16 Update: John Brill sent in some pictures from the event. Here's a picture of our club President with Col. Kasler. The rest of the pictures can be viewed here.
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