This book combines short military biographies and operational analysis to reveal how the personalities, attitudes, and life experiences of twelve outstanding U.S. airmen shaped the central air campaigns in American history. These case studies illuminate the character of these airmen, the challenges they confronted in widely disparate armed conflicts, and the solutions that they crafted and implemented. Their achievements proved decisive not only in the campaigns they led, but also in shaping the U.S. Air Force and the dominant role of air power in modern warfare.

Carl A. Spaatz: Bomber baron / Richard G. Davis -- George C. Kenney: "A kind of renaissance airman" / Alan Stephens -- Otto P. Weyland: "Best damn general in the Air Corps" / Richard R. Muller -- Curtis E. Lemay: Airman extraordinary / Williamson Murray -- William H. Tunner: Master of airlift / James S. Corum -- George E. Stratemeyer: Organizer of air power / Thomas A. Keaney -- William W. Momyer: An air power mind / Case Cunningham -- John W. Vogt: The Easter Offensive and Nixon's War in Vietnam / Stephen P. Randolph -- Charles A. Horner: Desert Storm maestro / Richard P. Hallion -- Michael E. Ryan: Architect of air power success / Mark A. Bucknam -- Michael C. Short: Airman undaunted / Rebecca L. Grant -- T. Michael Moseley: Air power warrior / James D. Kiras.