A Midwest Hero's story

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 Tailspin weaves two stories over the course of 400 pages. 

 The main story is about Gene Moran, who joined the Army Air Corps after turning 18 in the summer of 1942. Moran grew up on a farm in south west Wisconsin near Soldier's Grove, a small community 87 miles northwest of Madison.

 His personal war story was big news when it happened, but it resurfaced for the author, John Armbruster, as he was getting ready to teach middle and high school students social studies in North Crawford county schools.

 Armbruster overheard an incredible story about a local man who fell four miles out of the sky over Germany during World War II, and knowing a member of the person's family, encouraged Gene's daughter to make sure the story was preserved for the family. 

 "We don't go there," is what he heard from the family member, but he was offered a chance to meet their father and see if he might learn a little of the man's story.

John Armbruster includes the story of his relationship and series of "Thursdays with Gene" he spent learning Gene's story during the war while discovering his war didn't end when he came home.

November 29, 1943 Eugene Moran was in position as a tail gunner in his B-17 Flying Fortress named Rikki Tikki Tavi as he and the rest of the crew flew their fifth mission over Germany from England. The plane was shot down on the return trip. Moran was trapped in the tail of the plane when damage caused by German fliers separated the tail from the rest of the plane. He plummeted four miles inside the tail. He was severely injured but survived the fall. Behind enemy lines, his pain was just beginning.

The writer and the World War II veteran arranged to start meeting in 2010. At home, the writer's wife was found to have cancer again after several years in remission.. The book is as much about the writer's family and the developing relationship with Gene as it is an incredible story of survival.

In addition to Gene's account, the writer reached out to other members of the crew and their family members as well as searching through public records. It's a compelling account that brings the worldwide conflict into a story about people you get to know.

My favorite chapter was the 17th, called Homecoming. Armbruster writes vividly about Moran's return home during the summer of 1945 with scenes from a personal welcome into the family home where his dad pulled out presents that had been wrapped but never presented during the two Christmases he missed.

The most difficult chapter is the 18th, as the collateral damage for Staff Sargent Eugene Moran went way beyond his physical injuries and how it affected Moran and the people he loved most.

The story ends with a surprising twist when the family and writer were invited back to Germany on the 75th anniversary of Gene's fall from the sky for a celebration.

The 20th chapter is filled with a surprising story of hope that on its own accord makes this book worthy of your time, especially in the world we live in today.