BOYS of THE BURNING SKY: MARINE CORSAIR PILOTS OF OPERATION ICEBERG -VMF-322- THE CLOSE AIR SUPPORT ON OKINAWA

April 1945.

The largest amphibious assault of the Pacific War began on the island of Okinawa. As American forces storm ashore on Okinawa during Operation Iceberg, thousands of Marines and soldiers faced entrenched Japanese defenses in brutal combat.

Above them flew the Marine F4U-Corsair fighter squadrons of MAG-33. VMF-322 and their sister units — diving through relentless anti-aircraft fire to strike enemy positions only yards from friendly troops.

This is the story of Major Frederick Rauschenbach, 24, commanding officer of VMF-322 and his fellow young Marine aviators who risked everything to save the men on the ground — and in doing so helped shape the future of close air support. Many of the Marine aviators who fought over Okinawa trained together, earned their wings together, and faced combat together.

Nicknamed “Whistling Death” by the Japanese, the F4U Corsair was one of the most powerful fighters of the war. Fast, rugged, and heavily armed, it became the perfect aircraft for close support of Marines on the ground.

Their story is one of courage, brotherhood, and sacrifice while coming-of-age in the burning skies above the Pacific.

"THE AIR WAR YOU'VE NEVER SEEN, THE HEROES YOU'LL NEVER FORGET."