PILOTO tells the story of Hank Cervantes, son of migrant field workers, who rose above the poverty and hardship of Central California's sweltering farm fields to become one of only a handful of Mexican-American pilots in the annals of the United States Air Force. His trials and triumphs as an anomaly in the tight fraternity of Caucasian pilots follow the Air Force's transformation from the B-17 battle wagons of WWII to the Strategic Air command's supersonic B-58 Hustler. Provocative, witty, and intensely personal, PILOTO offers a fascinating portrait of a pioneer who helped pave the way for today's Latino men and women pilots--and for all those who will fly into the future.
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An important book ... it shows that anything is possible if you have the will to work for it ... recommend highly. -- Col. Walter J. Boyne, USAF (Ret.) - Author, Historian and former Director of the National Air & Space Museum
About the Author
Henry "Hank" Cervantes was born to a family of migrant workers during the height of the Depression. Through his intelligence and determination, and a teacher who saw something special in him, he was able to graduate high school and eventually qualify for pilot training in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. After serving as a B-17 pilot (one of only a handful of Mexican-Americans to do so) with the 100th Bomb Group in Europe from 1943-45, Hank returned to the States and pursued a military career that eventually earned him the rank of Lt. Col. and the position of Project Manager for the Strategic Air Command's B-58 Hustler, the world's first supersonic jet bomber. After retiring from the Air Force in 1965, Hank continued to stay active in the aviation field, writing technical manuals for Northrop and working for the Defense Department. He has served as a staff advisor to Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and continues to head personnel boards for the city. In his spare time, Hank is a USA Track & Field official, works with the California Special Olympics, gives motivational talks to schools, and is an avid downhill skier.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An engaging and candid memoir,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Piloto: Migrant Worker to Jet Pilot (Paperback)
Piloto: Migrant Worker To Jet Pilot by Henry Cervantes is his personal story of being a Mexican-American pilot who proudly served the United States Air Force. An engaging and candid memoir of what it was like to be a Latino in a life-or-death field dominated by Caucasians, Piloto offers the reader a firsthand witness of one man's transformation in while serving in the Air Force both during and after World War II. Piloto is a unique and welcome contribution to American Military and Aviation History collections.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A solid, entertaining read,
By A Customer
This review is from: Piloto: Migrant Worker to Jet Pilot (Paperback)
I heard Hank Cervantes speak at a reunion of the famed "Bloody 100th" Bomb Group and was so impressed I went out and got this book. It was just as impressive. What an incredible story! A child of migrant workers, growing up in the harshest condiditons imaginable, dreams of something beyond the farm fields. He stays in school, works hard and eventually is accepted into pilot training during WWII. He has to put up with bigotry and racism at every turn, yet something in him won't let him give in or up. Eventually he achieves ranking and position few Hispanics in the military have. Besides being a great story teller, Cervantes is also a great role model for youth--minority and otherwise. Then to top it all off, the book is filled with details about B-17s, B-47s and the B-58 Hustler--a perfect read for an ol' aviation buff like me. This one should be in every school library in the country. Read it!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A true story of human spirit conquering incredible obstacles!,
By
This review is from: Piloto: Migrant Worker to Jet Pilot (Paperback)
I once worked for Hank Cervantes when he was at the Defense Contract Administration Services Region Headquarters in Los Angeles. I remember seeing the photo of his damaged B-17 on the wall in his office and asking him about it. I was amazed even more when he told me the story behind the photo.
He was a delight to work with and his book revealed things about him that I never knew. After reading his very personal account of the struggles and odds he overcame to become a success, it made me admire him all the more. I highly commend this book to anyone who is faced with seemingly unsolvable challenges. It will inspire you to keep plugging no matter what the odds. Thanks Hank and Congratulations on a Great Book! Chuck Robuck Newcastle, CA
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