Richard E Miralles

War and Fire Richard E Miralles

Follow the real-life story of a 17-year old young man from a humble beginning as he enlists in the US Navy in February of 1942 and fights in the South Pacific during World War II as a radioman and aerial gunner in SBD dive bombers and TBF torpedo bombers. He survives a tour of duty on Guadalcanal including being shot down. The story continues as he goes aboard the jeep aircraft carrier Hoggatt Bay CVE-75. He survives multiple crashes, bombing missions, and aerial combat along with typhoons, bombs, and kamikaze attacks. After the war is over he attends Washington State University and graduates with a degree in Forestry. He then takes a 5-month motorcycle trip through 15 countries in Europe. When he returns the adventure continues with stories from his 30-year career with the California Department of Forestry (now known as CAL FIRE). Now at the age of 95, the author relives and puts into print these stories as taken from his memories, diaries, and journals.