JENKINTOWN, Penn., April 2, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Every experience is different. In the realm of World War II, no two soldiers saw the combat before their eyes and felt the myriad of mixed emotions equally. My War: The Experiences of an 8th Air Force Navigator (now available through 1stBooks Library) by Howard I. Sinnamon is his experience of the war told for the first time for the benefit of his children.
Sinnamon describes his life as the combat navigator of a B-17 Flying Fortress flying operations over Europe. He describes the feelings after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, an event that united the country. Sinnamon notes that the country was so united that Army and Navy bases didn't have enough room for all the volunteers. He and his identical twin brother entered the Air Force just after Christmas. Soon, they were flying dangerous daylight missions over enemy territory. He gives a detailed account of how America advanced the form of combat to a professional level, and the mistakes that occurred along the way.
"In the meantime gross war errors were made which would be laughable if they weren't so tragic...as witnessed by Raid Number 2 when we missed our target by 80 miles; by Raid Number 3 when a malfunction in the group lead plane possibly saved my life; by Raid Number 7 when we dropped our bombs only God knows where," Sinnamon states.
My War remembers all the men who died that he was blessed to come into contact with. Pondering what makes a hero, Sinnamon puts it simply.
"I was frightened every time I flew over an enemy country. What sane man wouldn't be? During my 20 months on combat status I never met a man who enjoyed combat. No man wants to attain 'hero' status, for war, when all is said and done, is a humbling experience. Instead, 'hero' status is thrust on the few," Sinnamon states.
My War is a harrowing personal account about men doing their jobs in the face of death.
Sinnamon is of the "Greatest Generation." Born in Philadelphia as one of identical twins, he joined the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet in 1942 and graduated from navigation school in 1943. He served in the 8th Air Force based in England flying 15 missions against Germany including some of the most costly air raids. After leaving the service, he enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania under the GI Bill where he earned a bachelor of science in 1949 and a master's degree from Drexel University in 1955. Working for 30 years as a research chemical engineer in food science with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, he retired in 1980. This is his first book
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