In the closing months of World War II; Americans found themselves facing a new and terrifying weapon: kamikazes -- the first men to use airplanes as suicide weapons. By the beginning of 1945; American pilots were shooting down Japanese planes more than ten to one. The Japanese had so few metals left that the military had begun using wooden coins and clay pots for hand grenades. For the first time in 800 years; Japan faced imminent invasion. As Germany faltered; the combined strength of every warring nation gathered at Japan's door. Desperate; Japan turned to its most idealistic young men -- the best and brightest college students -- and demanded of them the greatest sacrifice. On the morning of May 11; 1945; days after the Nazi surrender; the USS Bunker Hill -- a magnificent vessel that held thousands of crewmen and the most sophisticated naval technology available -- was holding at the Pacific Theater; 70 miles off the coast of Okinawa. At precisely 9:58 a.m.; Kiyoshi Ogawa radioed in to his base at Kanoya; 350 miles from the Bunker Hill; "I found the enemy vessels." After eighteen months of training; Kiyoshi tucked a comrade's poem into his breast pocket and flew his Zero five hours across the Pacific. Now the young Japanese pilot had located his target and was on the verge of fulfilling his destiny. At 10:02.30 a.m.; as he hovered above the Bunker Hill; hidden in a mass of clouds; Kiyoshi spoke his last words: "Now; I am nose-diving into the ship." The attack killed 393 Americans and was the worst suicide attack against America until September 11. Juxtaposing Kiyoshi's story with the stories of untold heroism of the men aboard the Bunker Hill; Maxwell Taylor Kennedy details how American sailors and airmen worked together; risking their own lives to save their fellows and ultimately triumphing in their efforts to save their ship. Drawing on years of research and firsthand interviews with both American and Japanese survivors; Maxwell Taylor Kennedy draws a gripping portrait of men bravely serving their countries in war and the advent of a terrifying new weapon; suicide bombing; that nearly halted the most powerful nation in the world.
#1628771 in Books Rowman Littlefield Publishers 2009-08-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.57 x .61 x 6.37l; .92 #File Name: 0742570533184 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Outer Banks N.C. Estuaries Civil War CombatBy Capt BillVery interesting and an enjoyable read. Better account of William Barker Cushing than some that I've read. Historical facts were well checked and referenced.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A WarningBy phillybobPlease do your homework before purchasing this book. 's description of the book led me to believe that this book would primarily be Cushing's memoir. The first 17 pages are introduction; perhaps for the middle school audience that the book was intended; with Cushing's memoir accounting for about 50 pages. I do not know if that was Cushing's original length or if it was condensed for the school audience. The remaining half of the book is filler with period accounts about civil war naval engagements; mostly written by participants; Unlike Cushing's memoirs; those stories can be accessed on Google books. Had I known the true content; I most likely would not have purchased the book. At least I did not pay full price.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. would be an excellent addition to the library of anyone who is interested ...By Lizzy KruegerAlden Carter’s presentation of Lt. Cdr. William Cushing’s memoirs; The Sea Eagle; would be an excellent addition to the library of anyone who is interested in the American Civil War or enjoys US Naval history. Cushing was the youngest; and arguably one of the most daring Lt. Commanders in US History.Carter starts with a historic overview of the Cushing family to give the reader a sense of the history of the Cushings as well as the influences on William. In the main body of the book; William’s actual memoirs; Carter’s annotations give clarity to references that Cushing makes; which might be lost on the modern reader. The author closes the book with a great deal of research material ranging from descriptions of specific battles to details of the ships named in Cushing’s writings.With the recent news about William’s older brother; Alonzo; being awarded the Medal of Honor; The Sea Eagle is a great way to get to know about not only Lt. Cdr. Cushing; but also his entire historic family.
