Q & A with Author Phil Scearce

What motivated you to write Finish Forty and Home?
This book needed to be written. As the son of a B-24 veteran, I tried to find books about the part of the war in which my dad served, but there just aren’t any. Finish Forty and Home tells the story of the American bomber offensive in the south central Pacific, which was a cruel and unforgiving place for young men to fly and fight. The men who flew these missions made a significant contribution to the war effort, but their story hasn’t been told until now. I hope my book honors the men I’ve written about.

Why the title?
By 1944, bomber crews needed 40 combat mission credits before they could go home. They didn’t talk about it much, but they all knew where they stood, especially when they were getting close. There are some gut-wrenching stories of men shot down with 38, 39 missions, just one to go. The title comes from the fact that the number one thing in the back of their minds was to finish forty combat missions and make it home again.

The book tells about your dad signing up at 16 and his job as a radio operator. How did he come to tell you his story?
Right. He lied about his age. As far as telling the story, it’s hard to say, really. I don’t know why Dad opened up to me, but once I was old enough to understand, and since I was interested, he shared his experiences. Maybe it was just that enough time had passed, because Dad saw some terrible things. As I completed research and background work, I was able to add depth and context to the stories, and broaden them beyond Dad’s memories. I was also fortunate enough to locate and meet some of the men who served with my father.

Who were you able to find?

Joe Deasy, pilot and commander of the 42nd Bomb Squadron, a man who was a hero to me growing up because I knew Dad had enormous respect for him. Deasy’s actions made all the difference in my Dad’s survival. I also met Jack Yankus, former B-24 flight engineer and Dad’s wartime buddy. He shared stories about my Dad which I could have heard from no one else. I also met and interviewed Ed Hess, gunner on the crew, and the surviving family of Bob Lipe, assistant engineer. When I met the Lipe family, and was able to tell them why Bobby had flown with the crew he was lost with--it was an emotional visit for all of us. I interviewed or corresponded with many more veterans or the families of veterans, and their input helped me bring the book’s characters to life in a very real and faithful way.

How’s your dad doing?
He’s well, thank you. He stays busy. He doesn’t live in the past, but he does enjoy hearing when I’ve talked to one of his old friends.

What’s your next project?

My next book-length project is about B-29 aircrews and their missions. B-29s flew from bases in the Marianas to targets in Japan, and airmen called the route the "Hirohito Highway." That may be the title of the book.