Comments on: Pappy Gunn (Book Review) http://www.historynet.com/pappy-gunn-book-review.htm From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:54:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Myron D. Stokes http://www.historynet.com/pappy-gunn-book-review.htm#comment-4601 Myron D. Stokes Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:55:27 +0000 #comment-4601 I absolutely agree with Boyne's assessment of "Pappy Gunn". Finally, a comprehensive and accurate analysis of a man who all but single handedly changed the course of war in the Pacific Theater of Operations for Allied forces. I must admit also that I have a special affinity for Gunn, since my Godfather, M/Sgt Charles H. Jackson, was in U.S. Army Ordance, was armorer for P-38 master aces Maj. Dick Bong, Tommy McGuire, among others, manned the top turret of a B-17F "Captain and The Kids" based in Port Moresby, New Guinea, and was close to Gunn. He called him "P.I." and filled multiple hours with tall tales, all of them true, telling me, at the time a fascinated 14 year old in 1964, about Gunn's exploits and who, up until now, has been underappreciated by most WWII historians and historic references. Most galling, however, were the many and varied attempts to take credit for his aircraft armament technology and attack process modifications and innovations for Douglas A-20 and North America B-25 Mitchell medium bombers, including blatant if not shocking attempts by USAAF and RAAF officers who couldn't provide one shred of evidence for their claims. But, Pappy soldiered on, knowing that it was imperative to keep a low profile to protect his family held captive by the Japanese. Somebody had to take credit for the stunning victory at the Battle of The Bismarck Sea in March of 1943, but it couldn't be Gunn, who knew that if the Japanese, after suffering this complete and horrific annihilation, discovered just who it was in their custody in Manila, would have surely done them harm in retaliation. Gen. Kenney, after advising Gunn that he would be one of the most famous people in the world in the aftermath of Bismarck Sea, was told by Pappy that under no circumstances could he be given credit for the reasons stated above. This book outlines the life of a man possessed of incredible talent, insight, fortitude, fearlessness, love of family and vision who has been given far too little credit. And in so doing, rectifies a gross oversight in the annals of history. I applaud Nath Gunn's storytelling, consider it a privilege to know him, and hope, that if the universe is kind, a major film will be completed about his life; a extraordinary life filled with exploits, experiences and accomplishments that even the most fertile minds in Hollywood's script writing sectors could not ever conceive. My Godfather "Doc" Jackson was right: "There was no one quite like P.I. Gunn..." Myron D. Stokes Publisher, eMOTION! REPORTS.com www.emotionreports.com I absolutely agree with Boyne’s assessment of “Pappy Gunn”. Finally, a comprehensive and accurate analysis of a man who all but single handedly changed the course of war in the Pacific Theater of Operations for Allied forces. I must admit also that I have a special affinity for Gunn, since my Godfather, M/Sgt Charles H. Jackson, was in U.S. Army Ordance, was armorer for P-38 master aces Maj. Dick Bong, Tommy McGuire, among others, manned the top turret of a B-17F “Captain and The Kids” based in Port Moresby, New Guinea, and was close to Gunn.

He called him “P.I.” and filled multiple hours with tall tales, all of them true, telling me, at the time a fascinated 14 year old in 1964, about Gunn’s exploits and who, up until now, has been underappreciated by most WWII historians and historic references. Most galling, however, were the many and varied attempts to take credit for his aircraft armament technology and attack process modifications and innovations for Douglas A-20 and North America B-25 Mitchell medium bombers, including blatant if not shocking attempts by USAAF and RAAF officers who couldn’t provide one shred of evidence for their claims. But, Pappy soldiered on, knowing that it was imperative to keep a low profile to protect his family held captive by the Japanese.

Somebody had to take credit for the stunning victory at the Battle of The Bismarck Sea in March of 1943, but it couldn’t be Gunn, who knew that if the Japanese, after suffering this complete and horrific annihilation, discovered just who it was in their custody in Manila, would have surely done them harm in retaliation.

Gen. Kenney, after advising Gunn that he would be one of the most famous people in the world in the aftermath of Bismarck Sea, was told by Pappy that under no circumstances could he be given credit for the reasons stated above.

This book outlines the life of a man possessed of incredible talent, insight, fortitude, fearlessness, love of family and vision who has been given far too little credit. And in so doing, rectifies a gross oversight in the annals of history.

I applaud Nath Gunn’s storytelling, consider it a privilege to know him, and hope, that if the universe is kind, a major film will be completed about his life; a extraordinary life filled with exploits, experiences and accomplishments that even the most fertile minds in Hollywood’s script writing sectors could not ever conceive.

My Godfather “Doc” Jackson was right: “There was no one quite like P.I. Gunn…”

Myron D. Stokes
Publisher, eMOTION! REPORTS.com
http://www.emotionreports.com

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