To Casemate Publishing, for lighting up with the manuscript and
giving me the opportunity to publish The True Story; Priscilla A. Reagan,
my literary agent, whose whimsical nature has kept our relationship
anything but ordinary; Linda D. Morehouse, Clarissa Moore, and
Anne K. Kaler, whose excellent editing skills helped to burnish these pages;
George L. Wells, dear family friend and invaluable consultant throughout
this book; Willis F. Chapman, who valued and preserved his copious
WW ll materials; Jason D. Reimuller, my most valued critic; and
the men of the 57 th Bomb Wing for their ‘family’ friendship
and open hearted cooperation.