Never Call Me a Hero

A Legendary American Dive-Bomber Pilot Remembers the Battle of Midway

By: N. Jack "Dusty" Kleiss, Timothy Orr

Narrated by: Mike Ortego, Cassandra Campbell, Patrick Lawlor

Length: 9 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

An extraordinary firsthand account of the Battle of Midway by one of its key participants, timed to the 75th anniversary: American dive-bomber pilot "Dusty" Kleiss helped sink three Japanese warships (including two aircraft carriers), received the Navy Cross, and is credited with playing a decisive individual role in determining the outcome of a battle that is considered a turning point in World War II.

In Never Call Me a Hero, Captain Kleiss (USN, ret.), a US Navy SBD Dauntless dive-bomber pilot with the USS Enterprise's Scouting Squadron Six, tells his full story for the first time, offering an unprecedentedly intimate look at the battle that reversed America's fortunes after the tragedy of Pearl Harbor. Kleiss is notable for being the only pilot from either fleet on those battle-scarred days of legend, June 4-7, 1942, to land hits on three different enemy ships. On the first day of the Battle of Midway, Kleiss planted bombs on two Japanese carriers - Kaga and Hiryu - sinking both, and later, on June 6, he scored a direct hit on a Japanese cruiser, the Mikuma, which also sank.

In his 1967 book Incredible Victory, Walter Lord asserted that the margins of US victory at Midway were so thin that individual participants could rightfully say that their actions turned the tide. Given the amount of destruction inflicted upon the Japanese that day, Kleiss may have been the most important pilot in the air. It is no stretch to say that without him, the Battle of Midway may not have been won, altering the course of the conflict and history itself, for according the US Navy's historians, "The Battle of Midway was far more than an epic WWII clash somewhere far away at sea. It was an American victory that forever changed the course of world history. This is the battle that turned the tide of the war."

But this is not only the memoir of one man; it is the history of this battle and its legacy. In only five minutes, 48 American dive-bomber pilots and their gunners destroyed the pride of the Japanese carrier fleet and exacted retribution on the carrier force that had attacked Pearl Harbor. Never Call Me a Hero is also a story about humility and pushing limits. Throughout his life Kleiss had always looked toward the heavens for spiritual guidance and to serve his country. Throughout his life this humble man considered himself blessed with incredible luck and did his job without complaint. Whenever others referred to his actions as "heroic", he quickly corrected them: "I'm no hero. Never call me a hero."

©2017 The Estate of Norman Jack Kleiss (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Wow

This is a great book. The unapologetic sincerity is what makes it great. God bless the greatest generation!!

Dusty Kleiss Memoir

Entertaining book, exceptional insight into a humble, successful American hero who lived, loved his wife and family, and happened to survived a military experience that he did not publicly discuss for decades. Great story and I appreciated Mr. Kleiss and his family sharing it with me. Good primary source of information. I highly recommend for anyone with an interest in the Battle of Midway.

Humble Hero Against All Odds!!

A fascinating life story.Breathtaking accounts of Midway and other battles . Strongly suggest this one if you want to put your minds eye in a 75 degree dive along side of Dusty!!

The Pacific War - Midway

An interesting account of the best in the Pacific by a SBD pilot.
War is shockingly unpleasant and the task of these sailors and pilots doing their damndest to push the Japanese back home.
They did a fine job in very trying conditions.
They were all heroes.

Outstanding!

OUTSTANDING! Well-written, insightful, thoughtfully written. More like a conversation with a Grandfather than an autobiography by a soldier. Highly recommend!

Treasured personal account of Pacific-WW2; learned a lot

Liked the personal history and details of flying/war-fighting experience, training, and naval career. Really amazing to have this personal history in such vivid detail

Should be required reading for Memorial Day

An outstanding memoir of a true American hero one who has served his country with distinction, Fast paced and easy to read yet with important historical details that bring to life the battle of midway.

An excelent read!

This book was right up my alley per say. I loved the technical aviation aspects of it, I loved the first-hand accounts of such a pivotal battle and I really enjoyed learning about this amazing, humble man. All around, I 100% recommend this book. The narrator does a good job of reading and you get the feel you are sitting down listening to Jack tell stories (which I love). However, something with they way they produced the recording, at the beginning of every chapter the narrator's voice is noticeably different. By 5 minutes into the chapter he has returned to "normal", but at the beginning of most chapters there is a sharp and noticeable change in the narration.

The Real Heroes

I was in tears of gratitude for the men Dusty spoke of. I wish every American could hear his story. Maybe gratitude would replace the arrogance, entitlement and disrespect so many today have about the freedoms they take for granted, given to us as gift by men like Dusty who gave us those freedoms at the price of their own lives. May we met in heavens realm to pay my respects personally.

Never Forget!

Loved It! Put me right into the action and brought tears at other times! Thank you!