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Flying Tiger Ace: The story of Bill Reed, China’s Shining Mark Hardcover – February 18, 2020

by Carl Molesworth (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 55 ratings
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The moving biography of Lt. Col. William Norman Reed, a World War II fighter ace who fought with the Flying Tigers and died in defense of the nation he loved.

Bill Reed had it all--brains, looks, athleticism, courage, and a talent for leadership. After a challenging childhood in Depression-era Iowa, Reed joined the US Army Air Corps, but the outbreak of World War II saw him give up his commission. Instead, he traveled to China to fly for the American Volunteer Group--the legendary Flying Tigers. After a brief return to America, he resumed the fight as a senior pilot and later squadron commander in the Chinese-American Composite Wing. Soon afterwards, Reed tragically lost his life in a desperate parachute jump late in the war, by which point he was a fighter ace with nine confirmed aerial victories. His obituary was front-page news throughout the state of Iowa.

This book is a biography of his extraordinary life, focusing on his time spent flying with some of the famous aerial groups of World War II. It draws heavily on Reed's own words, along with the author's deep knowledge of the China air war, and years of research into Reed's life, to tell his compelling story.

Previous page
  1. Part of series
    General Aviation
  2. Print length
    336 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Osprey Publishing
  5. Publication date
    February 18, 2020
  6. Dimensions
    6.33 x 1.29 x 9.36 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1472840038
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1472840035
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A fitting tribute to an otherwise little-known American hero [...] Highly recommended reading for anyone, but a "must have" addition to the library of military aviation history enthusiasts!” ―Col. J. Ward Boyce, Jr., USAF (Ret), Former Executive Director, American Fighter Aces Association

“Carl Molesworth captivates the reader with a thoroughly researched biography of Lt. Colonel William N. Reed, an outstanding yet still somewhat unknown American hero of World War II. [...] Bill Reed's story is also a needed reminder of the hardships and sacrifice shown by those in combat and by their families at home. [...] All of us living today should try to live up to the standards Reed set for himself.” ―Tom Ivie, author of 'Aces of the 325th Fighter Group'

“Carl Molesworth's biography of William Reed is a welcome addition to the record of American participation in the air war over China. Molesworth's description of Reed's experiences with the American Volunteer Group, the famed Flying Tigers, provides more depth to an understanding of what daily life for an AVG pilot was like in the dark early days of America's war against Japan.” ―Edward M. Young, author of 'B-25 Mitchell Units of the CBI'

“a compelling story … well worth a read for anyone interested in the famous Flying Tigers of WWII.” ―Flight Journal

“Flying Tiger Ace serves as an extremely useful biography for anyone interested in WWII aviation.” ―Air Classics

About the Author

Carl Molesworth is a former newspaper and magazine editor now working as a freelance writer and editor. A graduate of the University of Maryland with a BA in English, Molesworth served as an enlisted man in the USAF from 1968 to 1972 before becoming an award-winning journalist for 35 years and then transitioning to full-time book writing. He has been researching and writing about fighter operations in World War II for nearly 30 years. His 14 previous titles include three books in Osprey's Aircraft of the Aces series, three in the Aviation Elite Units series and two in the Duel series. He is best known for his writing about the China-Burma-India theatre and the Curtiss P-40 fighter. He lives in Washington, USA.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Osprey Publishing; First Edition (February 18, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1472840038
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1472840035
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.42 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.33 x 1.29 x 9.36 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 55 ratings

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Carl Molesworth

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
55 global ratings
Amazing life!
5 Stars
Amazing life!
I wanted to read this because my mother grew up in Marion, Iowa, and went to high school with Bill Reed. She had a major crush on him. I still have her newspaper clippings from the Cedar Rapids Gazette back during WWII.
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Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A carefully researched and emotionally touching tale of one of The Greatest Generation.
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2024
Verified Purchase
An excellent book! Carl Molesworth combines his encyclopedic knowledge of the American Volunteer Group and the Chinese-American Composite Wing with excerpts from Bill Reed's letters to his mother throughout his military career. So I learned about the operations of the AVG and the CACW, and was also emotionally drawn in by the letters.
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Daniel Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars An intimate portrayal of the air war for China
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2020
Verified Purchase
I would like to commend Carl Molesworth on his outstanding new book about Flying Tiger ace Bill Reed. Reed resigned his commission in the U.S. Army Air Forces to serve in Claire Chennault’s famed American Volunteer Group—the original Flying Tigers—in 1941 and ‘42 and later returned to China as a squadron commander in the Chinese-American Composite Wing. Molesworth has been writing about the World War II air war in China for over thirty years now and his deep familiarity with the subject is apparent from the very first page. He is a careful researcher who conscientiously presents the full scope of information available, especially when dealing with historical controversies. Readers familiar with Molesworth’s other books will find Flying Tiger Ace a much more intimate view of the war, immersing the reader in Reed’s heartfelt and detailed letters to his mother, intermittent journal entries, and combat reports. In most unit histories, characters like Reed come across as two-dimensional patriotic cutouts. Now, Molesworth paints the man in his full complexity, including his struggles as a man, a son, and a leader. I highly recommend the book to anyone interested in the Flying Tigers, World War II, or aviation history.
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Horace
5.0 out of 5 stars Really riviting read
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2021
Verified Purchase
Couldn’t put this book down. It’s an interesting life’s story of a WW-2 fighter ace who sadly didn’t quite make it to the en I’d the way. Many harrowing experiences. Great read...
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Jackman
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2020
Verified Purchase
Bill was a hometown boy. Saw him during a bond drive in WWII. Not only a good pilot, but very loving kid to his Mom!!
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William N. Dav is
5.0 out of 5 stars Flying Tigers in Burma during WWII.
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
Great biography about a great fighter pilot with many of his letters to his Mom.
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Robert Bolerjack
4.0 out of 5 stars things you did not know about the flying tigers
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2021
Verified Purchase
Excellent cover of the history of The Flying Tigers and a great story of a young pilot who died too soon.
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JE osterlind
5.0 out of 5 stars Learn about a hero in WW II
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2020
Verified Purchase
Excellent story and well written

I learned a lot about that part of WWII
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JGT
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing life!
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024
I wanted to read this because my mother grew up in Marion, Iowa, and went to high school with Bill Reed. She had a major crush on him. I still have her newspaper clippings from the Cedar Rapids Gazette back during WWII.
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JGT
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing life!
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024
I wanted to read this because my mother grew up in Marion, Iowa, and went to high school with Bill Reed. She had a major crush on him. I still have her newspaper clippings from the Cedar Rapids Gazette back during WWII.
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Top reviews from other countries

bigdudace
5.0 out of 5 stars A very thoughtful and caring read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
I thoroughly enjoyed this read for its story of a pilot in the AVG who then returned to China to fight with the US airforce.This definitely a must read
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