Flying Leathernecks - 1944 - 1st Edition - HC Signed USMC/Pacific Ace Pilot

"Flying Leathernecks"was written by Richard G Hubler & John A Dechant, both WW2 Captains in the USMCR, this hard back book with dust cover was first published 1944.  Both book & cover are in very good condition for their age, with slight scuffing and small tears along the edge of the dust cover. It has been placed in a see-through protective cover to look after it as best as possible.
 
This copy comes with a small signature of WW2 US Marine Corps ace pilot, Colonel Charles Kunz who flew as C/O of VMF221/VMF224 in the PTO. He piloted an F4 Corsair and finished the war with 8 victories. 
 
Navy Cross Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Charles Murphy Kunz (MCSN: 0-7470), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Section Leader and a Pilot in Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE (VMF-221), Marine Air Group TWENTY-TWO (MAG-22), Naval Air Station, Midway, during operations of the U.S. Naval and Marine Forces against the invading Japanese Fleet during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. Leading his section in a dauntless and aggressive assault against a vastly superior number of Japanese bomber and fighter planes, First Lieutenant Kunz shot down two Navy Aichi Type dive bombers, thereby aiding in the disruption of the enemy plans and lessening the effectiveness of their attack. His courageous determination, maintained at great personal risk against tremendous odds, contributed to the success of our forces and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
 
The book was the inspiration behind the John Wayne movie of the same name.