{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"SMAC355 Navigator's Letter","description":"Today we have a special guest Jan Cress Dondi author of The Navigator\u2019s Letter The Navigator's Letter, a USA Today bestseller and WWII narrative nonfiction, follows the Ploesti campaign through the experiences of two B-24 navigators, John B. and Bob\u2014Jan\u2019s uncle and father\u2014friends from the same small Illinois town whose lives unfolded in strikingly parallel ways. Preflight: Sponsor: https:\/\/pilotcounsel.com\/ Cruise Flight: Talking Points: The discovery of 500-600 wartime letters \u2022 Why Ploesti matters \u2022 Operation Tidal Wave\u2014audacious as planned; obstacles in execution \u2022 The two navigators' parallel journeys, their voices throughout the book \u2022 Research and personal connection \u2022 Operation Reunion\u2014overlooked humanitarian mission, forgotten history Carl\u2019s favorite picture in the book: John B. Using the E6B Question suggestions: \u2022 Discovery of a footlocker containing 500\u2013600 wartime letters from John B. andBob\u2014What was it like reading them for the first time, and when did you realize there was a book hidden inside \u2022 Why was the Ploesti campaign so important to the outcome of World War II? \u2022 The strategic importance of Operation Tidal Wave; what went wrong? \u2022 While the letters kick-started the project, you often say your whole life prepared you to write this story. What do you mean by that, and how did your father influence that journey? \u2022 How did your 30-year career as a litigation paralegal help you uncover and reconstruct events that happened more than 80 years ago? \u2022 During your research, was there a discovery that changed your understanding of your father, your uncle, or the war itself? \u2022 Operation Reunion is considered the largest air evacuation in history. Why is this extraordinary mission so little known today? \u2022 Were there moments when the emotional weight of the story forced you to step away from the project? \u2022 How researching and writing The Navigator\u2019s Letter gave her new insights into duty, loyalty, sacrifice, courage, and love. \u2022 If your father and uncle could read The Navigator's Letter today, what do you think they would say? After Landing Checklist: Pick Of The Week: No pick of the week if an interview. Links The Navigator's Letter: The True Story of Two WWII Airmen, a Doomed Mission, and the Woman Who Bound Them Together Find The Book On Amazon: https:\/\/amzn.to\/4pNOHvi https:\/\/www.aviationcareerspodcast.com\/ Coaching, Courses, and Scholarships. Upcoming Events and Air Shows: FlySnf.org 2027 \u2013 April 6-11 Website: https:\/\/jancressdondi.com\/ IG: @b24navigators FB: The Navigator\u2019s Letter LinkedIn: Jan Cress Dondi","author_name":"Stuck Mic AvCast - An Aviation Podcast About Learning to Fly, Living to Fly, and Loving to Fly!","author_url":"http:\/\/stuckmicavcast.libsyn.com","html":"