Short Synopsis
A hell-bent-for-leather fighter pilot, Elwyn G. Righetti remains one of the most unknown, yet compelling, colorful, and controversial commanders of World War II.

Full Synopsis
A hell-bent-for-leather fighter pilot, Elwyn G. Righetti remains one of the most unknown, yet compelling, colorful, and controversial commanders of World War II.

Arriving late to the war, he led the England-based 55th Fighter Group against the Nazis during the closing months of the fight with a no-holds-barred aggressiveness that transformed the group from a middling organization of no reputation into a headline-grabbing team that had to make excuses to no one. Indeed, Righetti's boldness paid off as he quickly achieved ace status and additionally scored more strafing victories—twenty-seven—than any other Eighth Air Force pilot.

However, success came at a high cost in men and machines. Some of Righetti's pilots resented him as a Johnny-come-lately intent on winning a sack of medals at their expense. But most lauded their spirited new commander and his sledgehammer audacity. Indeed, he made his men most famous for "loco busting," as they put more than six hundred enemy locomotives out of commission—170—in just two days!

Ultimately, Righetti's calculated recklessness ran full speed into the odds. His aircraft was hit while strafing an enemy airfield only four days before the 55th flew its last mission.

"Vanished Hero is a welcome addition to military biography collections, and highly recommended for both public library collections and personal reading lists." ---Midwest Book Review


“Through Righetti’s personal story this book also offers a good insight into the Home Front activities during 1942-1944, the European Theater of Operation during 1944-45 and even details on operations and missions flown by the 55th Fighter Group. I will highly recommend this book to any aviation history aficionado.” ---IPMS/USA

“Few have ever heard of Elwyn G. Righetti, but his story is worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster . . . well-written and detailed with smooth prose. It is a fitting tribute to both Righetti and the man who collected his life’s journey.” ---Military Heritage