Destined to Live: The Incredible Story of WWII Airman Wild Bill Scanlon

Rating:
Summary: Wild Bill Scanlon
Review: I know Bill Scanlon. I heard much of his story before Ms. Gilpatrick wrote it. I've interviewed him on a local cable access TV station in McHenry County, IL when I was Superintendent of Veterans Assistance for the county.

The first time I met him he was wearing a ball cap with a winged boot - I asked him the signifigance of the winged boot and he replied "Flew in, walked out!"

It's an amazing story - Ill Nat'l Guard EM, RCAF EM and Officer; Spitfire Pilot, Lancaster Pilot, Stirling Pilot; USAAF NCO; B-17 Crewman, POW, Escaped POW!

Bill Scanlon's story, as told by Ms. Gilpatrick, is a tale of guts, without glory; the tale of a midwestern boy who's life exceeded even his own expectations. A must read for the military historian or aviation buff.