Beginning in the late 1970s, five veteran airmen sat for private interviews with Colin Heaton, recounting in vivid detail the most dangerous missions that made the difference in the war. In their own words, here are Ed Haydon, who dueled with the deadliest of German aces; Robert Johnson, who racked up 27 kills; Robin Olds, a West Point football hero who became one of the most aggressive pilots; Curtis LeMay, the Air Corps general who devised America's bomber tactics; and Jimmy Doolittle, leader of the audacious Tokyo raid.