The Rescue
of Ed Mikes

An American Fighter Pilot
In The Last Days of World War II

by Henry Sakaida & Donna Mikes Musil
The Rescue of Ed Mikes tells the incredible story of an American fighter pilot who bailed out over Japan and was rescued in the last days of World War II.

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Read Chapter One…

The Pilots

Edward “Ed” Mikes

U. S. Army Air Force Fighter Pilot

During August 1945, Captain Edward H. Mikes, Jr. from Berwyn, Illinois was a fighter pilot in the U. S. Army Air Force flying the P-51D Mustang from Iwo Jima on Very Long Range (VLR) mission over Japan.

Yutaka Morioka

Imperial Japanese Navy Fighter Pilot

In August 1945, Lieutenant Yutaka Morioka was a 33 year old squadron leader flying the Zero fighter with 302 Air Group based at Atsugi Naval Base. Previously, he attended the Navy Academy at Etajima and was trained as as a dive-bomber pilot, then trained as a fighter pilot.

The Skies Over Japan

World War II: August 1945

Fighters

American fighter aircraft include the famous P-51D Mustangs fly Very Long Range (VLR) missions over Japan. Defending Japanese Zeros fight to defend their homeland.

Bombers

U. S. Navy PB4Y-2 Privateers hunt targets of opportunity while B-17H Flying Fortresses carrying a Higgins lifeboat search for downed pilots.

Submarines

U. S. Navy submarines perform lifeguard duty to save American aviators. Among them is the USS Aspro (SS-309) on her seventh war patrol.

Henry Sakaida

Aviation Author & Historian

Henry Sakaida was born on October 19, 1951 in California, graduated San Jose State University and worked for his father’s business Sakaida Nursery. He began researching and corresponding with World War II veterans. He authored 14 books and countless articles before he passed away on August 28, 2018.

Donna Mikes Musil

Daughter of Ed Mikes

Donna Mikes Musil is the daughter of Ed Mikes and was also raised in Berwyn, Illinois.  She has two grown children and three grandchildren.  Donna is a retired registered nurse who loves music and enjoys anything outside including gardening, hiking, jazzercise, boating, and reading. She lives in Naperville, Illinois with her husband, Gary. This is her first time co-authoring a book.

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