Letters to Lee - (World War II: The Global, Human, and Ethical Dimension) by James V Edmundson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In his 36 years of military service, Lt. General James V. Edmundson had extensive experience in combat operations and command at every level in the Air Force. He had over 10,000 hours of pilot time in 137 types of airplanes. In addition to the 107 combat missions in World War II, he led 32 combat missions in Korea and 42 in Vietnam.

Two years after General Edmundson's death in 2001, his daughter, Celia discovered a trunk of his letters and was particularly fascinated with the correspondence between her father and mother, Lee. This very personal story is told through chronological vignettes, letters, newspaper and magazine articles of the period. The vignettes were written in 2000 - the letters begin in 1939 in the beautiful Territory of Hawaii. The two are interwoven and provide incredible descriptions and detail of the conditions both before and after the U.S. entry into the War; of the early fighting in the South Pacific; of the highly secret development and implementation of the Superfortress, which ultimately brought an end to Japan's war against the United States; and of the China-Burma-India Theater, as the war accelerates and the last mission is flown. Correspondents from the United Press and Newsweek who accompanied Edmundson on combat missions enrich the story.

Letter to Lee is a first person account of two of the heroes of World War II and of the love that they shared across the years and miles. They lived their lives with integrity and courage, one example of this great generation and this incredible period in time.

Review Quotes

We young flyboys who first served under Lt. Colonel Edmundson, Squadron Commander of one of the first B-29 outfits, found him to be firm, fair and forgiving of our many faults. We admired him and were proud to serve under him. Later, at our reunions when he was a retired Lt. General, we still called him Col. Jim. He understood, and went along with the reduction in rank. He knew that we had the greatest respect and love for him. That was Col. Jim. He would have had it no other way.-----James "Smokey" Stover

What a delightful book about a war hero, his love for his wife, and his life as an officer during WWII. Thoroughly enjoyable!-----Congressman Dan Miller

. . . Filled with love and the quiet determination to see the war through together, although apart.-- "--Longboat Key Observer"

The well-reviewed book is a moving tributre and an enjoyable read for everyone from the history buff to the romantic.-- "--Colleague Alumni Magazine"

A wonderful account of the Air War in the Pacific during World War II.
Touching love story . . . brought tears to my eyes repeatedly.

-----Luther Brewer, Retired Physician

"A gripping and rewarding human story."-----Donald W. Boose Jr. Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired, Colonel, U.S. Army, (retired), author of Over the Beach: U.S. Army Amphibious Operations in the Korean War

A wonderful love story. I couldn't put it down. The action and romance are entwined so beautifully. Having served under 'Colonel Jim' Edmundson in the 792nd B-29 squadron was always a source of great pride for my dad. He, like so many others, had a deep and lasting regard for 'Col. Jim'. This intimate view of such a heroic figure will mean so much to so many.-----Kristi Burke, author, Proof Through the Night

Edmundson shows what it was to be a young American raised in the Great Depression who matured personally and professionally while wearing the uniform of the United States in the crusade that was World War II.-----Henry G. Gole, author of General William E. DePuy: Preparing the Army for Modern War, Soldiering: Observations from Korea, Vietnam, and Safe Places, The Road to Rainbow: Army Planning for Global War, 1934-1940

Much-decorated World War Two hero, Lt. General James Edmundson, uses his considerable talents as a gifted writer to present this true story of the great loves of his life - his beautiful wife, Lee, and his beloved country. Letter to Lee reads like the best of epic Hollywood films - glamorous, thrilling, poignant and agonizingly real. A stellar read!-----Maggie Davis, author, Stage Door Canteen and Eagles

About the Author

After his long military career, LT. GENERAL JAMES V. EDMUNDSON retired to Longboat Key, Florida, in 1973, and continued to be involved and active in both world and community events. He contributed to and appears in the History Channel's production of The Unsung Heroes of the B-29s and to PBS's Race for the Superbomb.

CELIA EDMUNDSON is the daughter of the late Lt. General James V. Edmundson.