Flyboys

Archival Summary & Scope

During WWII, nine American flyers were shot down over the remote Pacific island of Chichi Jima. While one, future President George H.W. Bush, was miraculously rescued, the other eight vanished after capture, their fates obscured by a decades-long government cover-up. In *Flyboys*, James Bradley meticulously investigates this enduring mystery. His quest—from classified archives to Chichi Jima itself—reveals not only the men's harrowing experiences and ultimate fates but also the stark brutality of the Pacific war, exploring both the Japanese warrior code and controversial U.S. military strategies. This masterful narrative brings to vivid life the untold story of these brave young men, forever changing our understanding of the conflict and the profound sacrifices made.