World War I fighter pilot William C. Lambert of Ironton, Ohio, flew for the British Royal Air Force in 1918. When he left the Western Front in August, he had 22 victories--then the most achieved by any American pilot. (By the time of the Armistice in November, his total was surpassed by Eddie Rickenbacker, the former race car driver from Columbus, Ohio, with 26 victories.) Lambert survived the war and lived into his eighties, unwilling until late in life to seek public acclaim for his war record. This book examines his life and the wartime experiences that defined it.

“Wilson, does an exquisite job chronicling the life and times of this decorated fighter pilot...vivid accounts of contact with the enemy...the chapter dedicated to his [PTSD] diagnosis and the condition is mind-opening and impactful for anyone who has experienced similar symptoms or knows someone who has struggled with this very real disease. It is hard to put the book down as each encounter with the enemy keeps the pages turning. It is an essential read for historians and aviation enthusiasts.”—Roads to the Great War; “The dogfights, told from an ace’s perspective, are real, engaging, and leave the reader in suspense. It is hard to put the book down as each encounter with the enemy keeps the pages turning highlighting Lambert’s 22 confirmed victories...a must read”—Air University; “The overall package makes for a very interesting read [and] is something that’s worth having”—Cross & Cockade International; “well written, entertaining”—WWI Historical Association.

Samuel J. Wilson is a professor of history at the University of Rio Grande in Rio Grande, Ohio.