From the Inside Flap
The Bureau of ATF pioneered the use of airplanes in the surveillance and trailing of violators of the law. Agents That Fly tells the true story of the early days of this endeavor. It was a technique that most people never dreamed would work. The initiative, determination and dedication of a few ATF agents and the backing of their supervisors, who were not afraid to take a chance for fear of making waves, made the air operation a tremendous success and one of the best investigative tools ever perfected by any law enforcement agency.
The fact that ATF was the "red-headed stepchild" of federal law enforcement has never deterred its agents from doing their jobs. Despite a great deal of criticism from the public, who never understood the magnitude of the problem moonshine caused, ATF agents have sacrificed their marriages, health and lives doing a job with very little praise, appreciation or recognition.
Knowing something of their dedication to this work may help the general public see that ATF agents have a legacy of which they can be very proud.
About the Author
Charles H. Weems is a retired U.S. Treasury Agent. He has led an adventurous life since the age of sixteen when he left home in 1944 to become a seaman. Since that time, he has made six trips to Europe as a sailor, paratrooper and civilian and worked in most areas of the United States. He is the author of A Breed Apart and in Agents That Fly continues the true story of ATF agents and their never-ending battle with moonshiners in the 1950's 60's and 70's. Agents That Fly is the exciting and sometimes humorous story of the formation and progression of ATF's air arm.
Since his retirement as Chief of Air Operations for ATF in Washington, D.C., Weems has flown as a charter pilot and worked as a private investigator and as a consultant for the Inspector General's Office of the Tennessee Valley Authority and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
His experience and dedication to his country make him well qualified to tell this story.
