For the Duration Plus Six Months

Armed with his sense of humor, a camera and his tiple ukulele, Silveo Colletti starts off on his WWII adventure that takes him from Linden, New Jersey to the far South Pacific and back. This first-hand account, written entirely by Major Colletti, is rich with historical details, music of the day, and over 200 restored original photos and documents that will pull you into the story, making you feel like you were there. The author begins with his peacetime induction into the Army in October 1941. He takes you through basic training, the medical department at Langley Field, aviation cadet training, then on to becoming a B24 bombardier. He was assigned to the famous Red Raiders of the 5th Air Force, 22nd Bombardment Group, 408th Squadron. This fearless, heavy bomb group tore through the Pacific pushing back the Japanese and liberating the Philippines. They carried out missions over China, Formosa, Japan, Borneo, Ceram, and Halmahera and were at the center of the epic Battle of Leyte Gulf. You will find yourself deeply absorbed in this warm story filled with camaraderie and humor, while learning what life was really like in WWII and the conditions that our veterans had to endure. They displayed the skills and determination to "MacGyver" their way through the worst of it. More than once Major Colletti pulled himself out of a jam with his knowledge of model airplanes, high school mechanical drawing, watch making skills and an issue of Flying Aces magazine! With X-ray machines, conga lines, slit trenches, a clarinet player, the Norden bombsight, cannibals, Sabu the Elephant Boy, the Japanese and one spirited, southern redheaded beauty from Georgia, this book covers it all and will stay with you long after you've read it.