From an historian and columnist in Leatherneck and Armor magazines, this is the exciting, personal account of a Marine fighter squadron in the South Pacific during the critical days of 1943 when the tide turned against the Japanese. Based on individual interviews and wartime documents, this is a thrilling narrative of the Marines who lived, and died, during the toughest battles of the entire war. It looks at the war through the eyes of some of the greatest fighter pilots of all time, including Bob Hanson, the “Maharajah of Rabaul” and highest-scoring Corsair pilot in history.

Jeff Dacus is a retired Master Sergeant of Marines who experienced tank combat in Operation Desert Storm. He is also a retired schoolteacher who taught U.S. history for 35 years and as an adjunct professor at the University of Portland. He volunteers with local veterans groups and is a speaker at historical events and with school groups. He is the historical consultant for the annual Northwest Colonial Festival.

He is a private pilot who has written numerous print articles in LeatherneckMagazine and Armor Magazine, as well as online for the Journal of the American Revolution. He holds advanced degrees from American Military University, the University of Portland, and Lewis & Clark College. He resides in Vancouver, WA.