Part 1, The Crew: Chapters 1-3 Summary

Jack Raab is a Jewish teenager who wants to represent his family in the fight against Hitler. Jack lied about his age and joined the Army Air Corps. Jack has gone to boot camp in Florida and is now in Louisiana to undergo training with his flight crew, including pilot Lieutenant Martin.

Jack waits in the shade of a B-17 with the rest of his crew for the officers to arrive. Jack is nervous, afraid something he might say or do will clue the rest of the guys into his real age. Jack is shocked that the Army has not figured out his real age by now. When he enlisted using his brother's birth certificate, Jack thought for sure he would be found out quickly. However, no one has questioned Jack's right to be there...