Those Brave Crews The Epic Raid to Destroy Hitler's Ploesti Oil Fields, vital to the Nazi war machine. Now published in second edition, this gripping account is a timely tribute to those who flew the historic low level mission of August 1, 1943 just 60 years ago. First published in 1989, its graphic description would earn author Ray Ward acceptance into The Authors Guild, foremost writers association, and a life membership in the USAF Academy's Association of Graduates. On that mission, 1700 volunteers beforehand having been told their lives would be at forfeit, attempted to shorten the war, by so doing to save hundreds of thousands of lives. A massive 'tidal wave' of bombers was sent against the sprawling Roumanian oil complex. Ward, writing with emotion, defines what happens after the aircrews had been told "if you hit your targets and none of you return, it will have been worth it." Forty percent did not! Five Medals of Honor and 1,726 DFCs were conferred, so valorous the events that unfolded. Ward's epic narrative seeks to perpetuate his generation's contribution to assure freedom, and with which today's generation identifies.