Liberando

Reflections of a Reluctant Warrior

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The author and Merriam Press announce the release Liberando: Reflections of a Reluctant Warrior. This is the harrowing story of WW II bomber pilots told through the eyes of Lieutenant John H. Horn. This historical novel was authored by his son, a local veteran,  John E. Horn, following two years of research both here and in Italy.
Nashville, Tennessee,  December 19, 2016,  John Horn had an abiding interest in aviation since childhood. Serving in World War II provided an opportunity to pursue this interest. The heroic story follows a young man from childhood through air combat in Europe — from the prewar years through the end of the war. It reflects what millions of servicemen and women lived through. Liberando is the personal account of a young man’s experiences entering the United States Army Air Force as a volunteer and going on to fly B-24 heavy bombers in combat from Italy into the underbelly of the Axis powers in Europe. The book combines a graphic and historically accurate portrayal of what thousands of brave young men experienced in the crucible of air combat during WW II. Included is newly discovered information about the airfield in San Pancrazio, Italy.
From the book - The last bomber in the first section accelerated and the nose lifted at the correct point. Just before lift-off the airplane seemed to hesitate and slammed back down to earth, shearing the nose gear. My heart sank as I approached the burning wreckage. It was #93 and Allen Bunker, my gunner, was inside. With 2,700 gallons of high octane AVGAS fueling the flames, it was impossible to get closer than 100 yards. Regretfully, the tail gunner was the only crew member to escape. The remainder of the crew of #93 were immolated in the fire. Losing Allen was the saddest day of my life. I did not know it was possible to feel this badly and still breathe. It was ultimately my call that allowed him to volunteer to fly with another crew; I was responsible for his death.
Horn conducted interviews in Italy and pored through his father’s flight logs, letters home and other historical documents to write the story’s historical context. Everything in the book happened. A war story of hope and despair and everything in between. Liberando provides compelling reading for the casual World War II enthusiast or the serious historian.
Liberando is available on-line from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Merriam Press and is coming to fine book stores.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John E. Horn is a retired Colonel and aviator from the US Army. Following a successful military career, he worked in higher education serving in a variety positions culminating with an appointment as the director of adult studies at Aquinas College in Nashville, Tennessee. John and his wife of 46 years, Betty, live in Hermitage, TN with their Irish Terrier, Clancy and alley cat, Stonewall.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Merriam Press – www.merriam-press.com
John E. Horn – vibejo@comcast.net, 615-915-2872, 12207 Old Hickory Bv, Hermitage, TN 37076

To order it from Amazon, click here.

376 ARCHIVES

The website 376bg.org is NOT our site nor is it our endowment fund.

At the 2017 reunion, the board approved the donation of our archives to the Briscoe Center for American History, located on the University of Texas - Austin campus.

Also, the board approved a $5,000 donation to add to Ed Clendenin's $20,000 donation in the memory of his father. Together, these funds begin an endowment for the preservation of the 376 archives.

Donate directly to the 376 Endowment

To read about other endowment donation options, click here.


My Trip to San Pancrazio

October 2019


Reunion

NOTE change in month !!!

DATES: Oct 26-29, 2023

CITY:Tucson, AZ

HOTEL: Double Tree Suites Airport hotel

7051 South Tucson Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85756

520-225-0800


Click here to read about the reunion details.

previous reunions


For Sale

The Other Doolittle Raid


The Broken Wings of Zlatibor


The Liberandos


Three Crawford Brothers


Liberando: Reflections of a Reluctant Warrior


376th Bomb Group Mission History


The Last Liberator


Full Circle


Shadows of Wings


Ten Men, A "Flying Boxcar," and A War


I Survived Ploesti


A Measure of Life


Shot Down In Yugoslavia


Stories of My Life


Attack


Born in Battle


Bombardier's Diary


Lost Airmen


Langdon Liberando