Lightning Sky

By: R.C. George

Narrated by: John McLain

October 6, 1944. Twenty-year-old Army Air Corps Second Lieutenant David "Mac" Warren MacArthur was on a strafing mission over Greece when a round of 88-mm German anti-aircraft flak turned his P-38 Lightning into a comet of fire and smoke. Dave parachuted to safety as the Lightning lived up to her name and struck the Adriatic Sea like a bolt of flames. In minutes, he was plucked from the water - only to find himself on the wrong end of a German rifle pointing straight at his head.

Dave's father, Lieutenant Colonel Vaughn MacArthur, was a chaplain with the 8th Armored Division of Patton's Third Army when he learned of his son's capture. He made it his personal mission to find him. For the duration of the war, as Dave was shuttled from camp to camp - including Dachau - his father never stopped searching. Then in May 1945, Vaughn's last hope was Stalag VII-A in Moosburg, Germany. Through the barbed wire fence, he cried out his son's name. Incredibly, out of tens of thousands of POWs, one of them, squinting into the sunlight, turned and smiled.

Father and son spent the next two weeks together celebrating, a forever cherished memory. Over the next 25 years, Dave would go on to honor his father in rescue missions of his own, becoming a highly decorated and genuine American war hero.

©2019 R. C. George (P)2019 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Emotional story

Very good story of a pow and his journey and ordeal to freedom. I feel that the story could have been structured better but it’s still worth a read.

A True American Hero

Just an emotionally moving story about Dave that grips you at every turn in this account. Dave must have had at least nine lives as he never ran from anything and was so driven by justice. Dave MacArthur had all the traits of a superhero! Great book Great read! Thank you RC!

Inspiring True Story

The story overview of WWII heroism and father and son faithfulness captivated my interest. As the story began in the Korean conflict, I was initially confused. But then quickly realized that it was a storytelling technique, to let me know the story protagonist survived WWII. And I read on to my delight with crisp and vivid telling but not overwhelming honor that such a story could include. Thus, two thumbs up and five stars because I was inspired by this important American hero’s story.

Incredibly well written

Hard to put down! Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Very engaging as well as educational. Author did an amazing job weaving the facts into a moving story!

Excellent depiction of WWII

Loved the detail in this. My father flew P-38’s and many other fighters and bombers as well and had many stories and testimonies. Great historical record and production.