Junior: The Tales of a Teenage Naval Airman in World War II [CD-ROM]

Robert W. Carey (Author), Alan C. Carey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2001

Junior: The Tales of a Teenage Naval Airman in World War II, is a first-hand account of a American teenager battling military regulations while fighting the Japanese in the Central Pacific. The co-author, Robert W. Carey, was a sixteen-year-old kid who joined the United States Navy in September 1942 and became a hardened combat veteran at eighteen.

Co-written by Alan C. Carey, the author of three previous books on World War II Naval Aviation, this book is a telling story of combat and everyday life while serving on island bases in the Pacific. Mr. Carey describes the living conditions on the islands, of a near starvation diet, and what if felt like to kill a man with a fifty-caliber machine gun.

Pages: 146
Photographs: 26

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert W. Carey was born in 1926 in Key West, Florida and enlisted in the Navy in September 1942 at the age of sixteen. He was known as “Junior” to the rest of the crew because of his age. He was a member of Crew 6 which flew two B-24 Liberator bombers named "Sky Cow" and "Climbaboard." Crew 6 ranked third in the squadron with a total of 59 missions flown and is credited with sinking four enemy ships and damaging another 14. Attacking Japanese shore installations, the crew destroyed six planes on the ground and damaged another 13. Robert was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 11 Air Medals, a personal commendation from Admiral J. H. Hoover, and was recommended for the Navy Cross by his squadron commander for his actions over the Japanese-held island of Iwo Jima on 20 July 1944.

Alan Carey is the seventh child born to Robert and Joyce Carey. His writing career in military history began in 1991 while researching information concerning medals that his father didn't receive during World War II.

Alan realized that the full story of U.S. Navy heavy bomber squadrons had never been published in book form. Therefore, he began to gather information to begin work on such a book. In the interim, Alan had enough information to request medals from the Navy Department for his father and three other men who belonged to his bomber crew. With the help of Congressman Lamar Smith, the U.S. Navy was petitioned and medals were awarded to each of the men consisting of two Distinguished Flying Crosses and nine Air Medals.

In 1999, his first book, "The Reluctant Raiders: The Story of Navy Bombing Squadron VB/VPB-109 in World War II," was publishing by Schiffer Publishing. While the publication process took place, he began to think about the other U.S. Navy heavy bomber squadrons that were also forgotten by historians. The result was the publication of, "We Flew Alone: U.S. Navy B-24 Squadrons in the Pacific (February 1943-August 1944" and, "Above an Angry Sea: U.S. Navy B-24 Liberator and PB4Y-2 Privateer Operations in the Pacific (October 1944-August 1945)," both by Schiffer Publishing. Additional books written by Alan C. Carey include, "Leatherneck Bombers; USMC B-25/PBJ Squadrons in World War II," by Schiffer Publishing and, PV Ventura and Harpoon Units of World War II," by Osprey Publishing.

Product Details

• CD-ROM: 146 pages
• Publisher: Merriam Press (October 1, 2001)
• ISBN-10: 1576382397
• ISBN-13: 978-1576382394
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,646,090 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars An American Hero, April 19, 2002

By 

Glenda France (Wilmington, DE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Junior: The Tales of a Teenage Naval Airman in World War II (CD-ROM)

Recommended Reading:
Whether you are a history buff or not, I would recommend this book. Junior's first-hand account of World War II Marine Corps bomber crews is a remarkable story. I think it is a fine testimony to courage, loyalty, and commitment.