The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Pooler, GA, will host author Ted Stetson on April 1 at 11 a.m. as part of the museum’s monthly Mighty Talks program. Stetson will discuss his book Rain of Iron, which tells the story of a B-17 Flying Fortress bombardier who flew 34 combat missions over Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II. The program will take place at the museum and is open to the public at no charge, although advance registration is requested HERE. A book signing will follow the presentation. Copies of Rain of Iron will be available for purchase during the event, as well as in advance through the museum store and online at shop.mightyeighth.org.
The book Rain of Iron focuses on the wartime service of Stetson’s father, a B-17 bombardier who flew 34 missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. Using family conversations, historical sources, and the airman’s own notes, the story follows what those missions were like for bomber crews, including encounters with German fighters and the constant threat of flak. It also touches on the friendships and shared experiences that developed among the men flying those missions.
At the center of the narrative is the personal side of the wartime experience. The book looks at the emotional and spiritual resilience that sustained many airmen, including their sense of duty, faith, and connection to family while serving far from home. Stetson spent several years researching and writing the book, combining historical details with his father’s recollections to document the experiences of bomber crews during the war. Outside of writing, he lives in West Des Moines, Iowa, and enjoys reading, watching BBC mystery programs with his wife Linda, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. An optional lunch will follow the presentation. The cost is $10 for members paying cash or $12 by credit, while non-members pay $15 in cash or $17 by credit. For more information and to support the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, click here: www.mightyeighth.org.
