Max Brand, one of America's most popular and prolific novelists, died on the Italian front in 1944 without having published one work of non-fiction. Now after more than fifty years and a string of fortunate coincidences, Brand's stirring account of the 212th Marine Fighter Squadron's operations at Guadalcanal in 1942 has been set in print.

One of the very first examples of oral history, this treasure trove of personal and historical detail was the result of hundreds of hours of interviews with the pilots and ground crew of the 212th, as well as with Marine infantrymen and Navy personnel, conducted soon after the events took place. Stories of thrilling, yet deadly, air-to-air combat are recounted in the words of the men who were there -- who also share their innermost thoughts about fear, courage, and their resolves to defeat the Japanese. Lost when Max Brand was killed while covering the Italian campaign for Harper's magazine, this unique and important find would never have appeared in print except for a meeting of squadron veterans and the author's daughter. Graced with the poetic spirit and descriptive power of his well-loved novels, Brand's account deserves a place among classics of Word War II literature for both its literary merit and its rich legacy of personal insights into one of the pivotal campaigns of the Pacific War.

In addition to being a revealing and informative historical bonanza, this work serves as a dramatic, inspirational testament to the men of an outstanding squadron who triumphed under duress, and to their legendary squadron commander, Lt. Col. Harold (Joe) Bauer, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.