King - The last Zero fighter : firsthand accounts from WWII Japanese naval pilots

"Dan King is to be congratulated for making this valuablecontribution to the history of World War II in the Pacific. By personalizingthe individual experiences of Japanese veterans, Dan provides some balance tothe stereotypical view of our enemy at the time. Through his interviews, he presentsunique insights into the social and cultural forces which molded the individualwarrior. I met some of these aviators at our Pacific Aviation Museum in PearlHarbor and at various commemoration events. I have discovered we share manycommon traits, love of our Country, love of flying, and a camaraderie that isprevalent among those who have faced life-altering experiences."

Admiral Ron Hays, USN (Ret)
Former pilot and Commander-in-Chief U.S. Pacific Forces
Chairman of the Board, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor

"We Americans do not hold a monopoly on courageand sacrifice. Our former adversaries, the Japanese, also displayed thesequalities in their commitment to their nation. Dan King has interviewedJapanese pilots and obtained their experiences in their own language. Valuableto understanding the Japanese people who are now one of our closest andvaluable allies in an area where we have vital economic and national securityinterests. I encourage everyonewho wishes to learn more about the WWII Pacific theater to read this book."

LtGen. Lawrence Snowden, USMC (Ret)
Former Company Commander, 23rd Marines, 3rd Division, IwoJima

"MostEnglish-language histories of the Pacific War of 1941-45 suffer from a dearthof Japanese sources. By conducting and translating interviews with Japanesenaval aviators, Dan King offers new and revealing perspectives on many of thebattles and campaigns that Japan and the United States conducted within theconfines of the world's largest ocean. Serious students of World War II and more casual readers will welcomethe release of The Last Zero Fighter and clamor for King to make more of his interviewsavailable in subsequent companion volumes."

Dr. Gregory J. W. Urwin, PhD
Professor of History, Temple University

"The history of World War II in the PacificTheater of Operations is not nearly as well known as the history of the War inEurope. If the stories about theparticipants are not told now, they will disappear forever. I flew a P-51against them and had the occasion to speak to them once or twice. One of themsaid to me, "There were no enemies in the sky." Their history is extremelyimportant for all to read."

Capt. Jerry Yellin, US Army (ret)
Former P-51 Pilot over Japan, 78th Fighter Squadron based on IwoJima
The Blackened Canteen, and War and Weddings, a Legacy of Two Fathers

"Dan King combines his rich working knowledge ofthe Pacific War, his unusually adept understanding of the Japanese language andculture, and his deep personal interactions with some unique airmen to bringout this fascinating look into history. TheLast Zero Fighter takes the reader on a fascinating journey throughthe fading past while experiencing the hearts and minds of boys becoming men inthe course of war, stories that pull you in and don't let you go!"

T. Martin Bennett
Wounded Tiger

"I found the book absolutely fascinating. As a historian, I have written aboutthe Pacific campaigns from the American perspective, primarily through personalaccounts/oral history. This allowsme and others to more fully document the war, using personal accounts from bothsides...giving the subject a more complete accounting. As America's "greatest generation"passes from the scene, I want to commend Dan King for documenting the personalaccounts of the Japanese. This has never been done before in such detail...bysomeone who has such an excellent grasp of the language, as well as theircustoms and traditions. This bookis a one-of-a-kind look into the Japanese method of waging war from the men whofought it."

Lt.Col Dick Camp (USMC-ret)
Last Man Standing and Leatherneck Legends

This book is a must read. In it author Dan King answered many questions I had about the Imperial Japanese Navy's use of Enlisted Pilots. He personally interviewed these pilots in their own language which separates this book from many before it. I recommended this book to many close friends from the United States Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force; pilots and aircraft maintainers alike, up to and including former Phantom, Harrier, and Hornet squadron Commanders and Flag Officers.

Mr. Robert Venema
Major USMC (Ret.)
Avionics

"Dan King has accomplished something incrediblefor historians outside of Japan. He spent years personally interviewing almost100 of our WWII veterans for their priceless combat and life experiences in ourown language. In The Last Zero Fighter he introduces five former naval fighter aviators whomade history at Pearl Harbor, Midway, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and other battles.He has shared many of their day-to-day experiences. Three of the men who appearin the book have since passed away. Without Dan King's interviews, many oftheir important historical facts would have remained unknown to us even inJapan. We the readers, both in Japan and in the West, owe much to him."

Mr. Koji Takaki
Genda's Blade, Japan's Squadron of Aces, 343 Kokutai

"I have seen Mr. King work tirelessly visitingJapan, traveling up and down Japan meeting our WWII veterans. I observed hismethods and am impressed with his compassion, attention to detail and eagernessto dig out the truth. These stories need to be told and I am grateful to Mr.King for stepping up to shoulder the task. He is doing what we Japanese need todo."

Ms. Yukie Sasa
Hakushi Shoshu de ChiruGunzokutachi no Gadarukanaru Senki
(WWII Japanese military contract workers on Guadalcanal)
Onna Hitori Gyokusai no Shima wo Yuku
(English title - Toward the Island of Graves)