A fighter pilot who flew seventy-five combat missions in World War I, George C. Kenney was a charismatic leader who established himself as an innovative advocate of air power. As General MacArthur's air commander in the southwest Pacific during World War II, Kenney played a pivotal role in the conduct of the war, but until now his performance has remained largely unexplored.

Thomas Griffith offers a critical assessment of Kenney's numerous contributions to MacArthur's war efforts. He depicts Kenney as a staunch proponent of air power's ability to shape the outcome of military engagements and a commander who shared MacArthur's strategic vision.

He tells how Kenney played a key role in campaigns from New Guinea to the Philippines; adapted aircraft, doctrine, and technology to the demands of aerial warfare in the southwest Pacific; and pursued daring strategies that likely would have failed in the European theater.