The Jolly Rogers
On USS Hornet
A Squadron at War
From the runways of Alameda to the blazing skies over the Pacific, this book follows the men of VF-17 as they trained, fought, and carried the skull and crossbones into the most decisive battles of World War II.
Through carrier launches, combat missions, and sacrifice at sea, their story unfolds in full.
From Carrier Deck to Combat Sky
The Story Inside These Pages
This book traces the journey of VF-17 from training fields in California to the fiercest naval battles of the Pacific. Through carrier qualifications, combat missions, and devastating loss, the Jolly Rogers became a hardened fighting squadron.
From Tarawa to the Marshalls, from Midway’s turning point to the elimination of Yamamoto, the narrative follows the men who flew, fought, and endured.
Marshall Beebe, Command Under Fire
From the loss of Liscome Bay to rebuilding VF-17, Beebe forged discipline through experience and resolve.
Robert C. Good, Earning His Place
From hunting fields in Oregon to Hellcats over the Pacific, Good’s rise reflects the making of a naval fighter pilot.
Marc Mitscher, The Carrier Commander
From Hornet to Guadalcanal and back to the fleet, Mitscher shaped the power of naval aviation.
Battles That Changed the War
Tarawa, Coral Sea, Midway, Kwajalein, Guam, stepping stones across an unforgiving ocean.
A Look Inside This Book
Voices Connected to This History
The Men Behind the Missions
From young ensigns learning carrier landings to seasoned commanders shaping strategy, this book traces the lives of the pilots and leaders who carried naval aviation across the Pacific.
Their training, losses, victories, and resilience unfold through documented events and personal accounts.
Why This Story Matters
- Leadership forged after a devastating loss.
- Carrier aviation at its most demanding
- Turning points that altered the Pacific War
- Personal letters and firsthand accounts
Pacific Theater Campaign
From Guadalcanal to Okinawa
Interested in the Story of VF-17? Step into the Pacific Campaign