The Flying Greek

Description:

Steve N. Pisanos’s The Flying Greek is both the classic tale of an immigrant’s bond with America and an aerial adventure. When young Pisanos arrived in the U.S. in 1938, he worked, studied English, and learned to fly. He earned a private pilot’s license in 1941, and soon after Germany invaded Greece, he volunteered for the embattled British Royal Air Force. He served with the 268 and 71 Eagle Squadrons. The 71 Eagle Squadron was one of three Eagle squadrons comprised of U.S. volunteers. In 1942, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen while in London, England. He was the first individual in American history to become a citizen while outside the U.S. border, and his becoming a citizen allowed him to be commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Forces.

In riveting detail, Pisanos recounts his combat record, from fighter sweeps and bomber escort missions to dogfighting, flying the Spitfire, the P-47, and the P-51. While flying a P-47 named Miss Plainfield, he scored his first aerial victory on May 21, 1943. By January 1, 1944, he had become an ace. After his tenth confirmed kill, he crash-landed his P-51 in France and spent six months with the French Resistance, successfully evading capture. Because of his exposure to the French operations, the Air Force could not risk his capture again, so he returned to the U.S. and became a test pilot at Wright Field where he also attended the Air Force’s test pilot school.

Despite grave danger, Pisanos set aside his pride, fears, and misgivings to help achieve a greater good. The Flying Greek is an entertaining and remarkable journey that will interest historians and aviation enthusiasts.

Reviews/Endorsements:

“It’s a fascinating tale of flying, and the opportunities offered in the United States to anyone enterprising enough to make the most of them. It also constitutes proof that Homer was not the last Greek who knew how to recount an odyssey.”
-- Aviation History, November 2008

“The Flying Greek…is that rare book tin aviation literature which manages to both thrill and inspire.”
-- In Flight USA, June 2008

“The Flying Greek is an entertaining and remarkable journey that will interest historians and aviation enthusiasts.”
-- Greek America Magazine, March – April 2008

“This is a remarkable book. Steve Pisanos has an incredible memory for seemingly every detail of his adventurous life…His is a Horatio Alger story, set in the exciting world of flight and deadly duels above the clouds, capped with success and recognition beyond even his seemingly impossible dreams.”
-- From the Foreword by Walter Cronkite

“The Flying Greek is an incredible autobiography, a fast-moving adventure that will hold the reader’s attention to the end as Steve describes the episodes of his life as they happened. He is certainly a rare immigrant and a proud American whose story exemplifies what the goodness of America is all about. He is a role model for youngsters of our world today.”
-- Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager, USAF (Ret.)

“Powered by the dream of flight, The Flying Greek is an epic journey of courage, risk, initiative, and perseverance. Pisanos tells his story of life, death, and brotherhood in the desperate battles in the skies over Europe in bold, colorful strokes. There are times when you find it difficult to grasp all those things that a human is capable of; Pisanos shows us all that is possible. The Flying Greek is the remarkable story of an individual who exemplifies everything America stands for and promises, and sets a standard for all generations to aspire to.”
-- Gene Kranz, flight director of Apollo 13 and author of Failure is Not An Option: Mission Control From Mercury to Apollo 13 and Beyond

Related Books:

• Chained Eagle: The Heroic Story of the First American Shot Down over North Vietnam
• Jungle Ace: The Story of One of the USAAF's Great Fighter Leaders, Col. Gerald R. Johnson
• Tempered Steel: The Three Wars of Triple Air Force Cross Winner Jim Kasler