World War II Database

I picked up this book mainly for one reason: the author, retired US Navy Captain Don Monson, flew with the same Air Group that my father did during World War II. As I continue gathering information about my Dad's Navy days, I could not pass up an opportunity like this book.

Beyond my own interest in Capt Monson's story, his reasons for writing it were very straightforward. He writes: "I have embarked on this effort simply to give my grandchildren and their descendants a better grasp of their heritage, should they be so inclined to read it."

So early on, the reader understands that we are eavesdropping on a retired Naval officer telling sea-stories to his family. On that basis, this book holds up pretty well.

The story of Capt. Monson's thirty-two year Naval career began early in World War II as he enlisted in the Navy, was selected for the Air Cadet program, earned his wings (and commission), and started flying dive bombers for the Navy. He was a plank-owner in Bombing Squadron Eighty and flew his combat sorties from the carriers Ticonderoga and Hancock from November 1944 through February 1945. As the squadron was regrouping, the war ended. (Then) Lt. Monson then transferred to the regular Navy for a career that lasted another twenty-eight years of productive work in Naval aviation and Naval command.

The book is written in a very simple, direct style that fits well with the author's mission to speak to his family. The stories are funny, tragic, interesting, but most of all informative. It is not a long book, not quite 100 pages, but it is just the right length for Capt. Monson to tell his story to his family and then stop. I would recommend this book fairly highly to those who are interested in personal reminiscence books such as this.