Fighting Fifteen

“Stephen L. Moore has written his most gripping narrative yet, the epic and untold story of some of the greatest American fighter pilots to ever take to the skies. This is a fantastic, adrenaline rush and wonderful addition to the history of the Pacific war in the air.”—Alex Kershaw, New York Times bestselling author of Against All Odds and Patton’s Prayer“A very compelling account of the most successful US Navy fighter squadron in history, concentrating on the activities of Fighter Squadron 15 during their seven months overseas. World War II enthusiasts will appreciate the non-stop action and sense of historical detail that is the product of countless hours of research that went into this book. Another top-notch effort by this very prolific World War II author.” —David P. McCampbell, CDR, USN Ret.“Stephen Moore again brings his expertise, research skills, and gripping writing style to a Pacific tale. The carrier aviators of the Fighting Fifteen, including top ace and Medal of Honor recipient Commander David McCampbell and Ensign Wendell Twelves, registered feats that gained the unit recognition as the top-scoring carrier fighter squadron in the Pacific. Readers will gain an appreciation for what these talented airmen and their families back home sacrificed for their nation.”—John Wukovits, winner of the Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature and author of Lost at Sea “Stephen L. Moore has written a masterful account of a blazing chapter of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific campaign in World War II. In absorbing detail and vivid panorama, Moore recounts the hair-raising story of the top Navy aerial squadron through the personal lives and emotions of the Hellcat pilots, weaving an intimate portrait of these roughriders – their inner thoughts and tensions – with the speeding drama of their close hauled, gymnastic battles with enemy Japanese A6M2 Zeroes. Fighting Fifteen is a standout of up-close portraiture and a taut, unforgettable drama that will keep you glued to every racing page.”—David Fairbank White and Margaret Stanback White, authors of Wings of War“The saga of Fighting Squadron Fifteen is well known in aviation history circles, especially because of Commander David McCampbell’s stellar role. But Stephen L. Moore’s treatment provides additional depth and insight with material from other VF-15 veterans among broader, prior treatments of Carrier Air Group 15. Aside from his thorough text, Moore provides future researchers with personnel rosters that probably have not been published before. Moore’s volume is likely to become a standard reference.”—Barrett Tillman, author of Clash of the Carriers, receipient of the Admiral Arthur Radford Award for Naval Aviation History

Stephen L. Moore, a sixth-generation Texan, graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, where he studied advertising, marketing, and journalism. He is the author of two dozen books on World War II, Vietnam, and Texas history, including Patton’s Payback and Blood and Fury. Parents of three children, Steve and his wife, Cindy, live north of Dallas in Lantana, Texas.