American Flygirl is the first and only full-length biography of Hazel Ying Lee, an unrecognized pioneer and unsung World War II hero who fought for a country that actively discriminated against her gender, race, and ambition. Hazel defied countless stereotypes to become the first Asian American woman in United States history to earn a pilot’s license, and the first female Asian American pilot to fly for the military. Her achievements, passionate drive, and resistance in the face of oppression as a daughter of Chinese immigrants and a female aviator changed the course of history. Now, the remarkable story of a fearless underdog finally surfaces to inspire anyone to reach for the sky.
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PRAISE
“Ankeny’s cinematic storytelling is buoyed by her zestful portrait of Hazel, who comes across as remarkably unfazed by her era’s rampant discrimination. It’s a compulsively readable tale of odds-defying derring-do.” ~Publishers Weekly
“The Allied victory over fascism in World War II hinged on the courageous efforts of countless hidden heroes, none more valiant than the Women Airforce Service Pilots. Trailblazing WASP fliers endured discrimination and second-class status as they logged more than 60 million miles of service, freeing a thousand of their male counterparts to fight at the front. In American Flygirl, Susan Tate Ankeny tells the inspiring story of a trailblazer twice over within the gallant WASP ranks: Hazel Ying Lee, the first Asian American woman to earn a pilot’s license, and one of only two Asian Americans to earn her silver wings as a WASP. In Ankeny’s skilled hands, Lee’s story soars through an unforgettable flight of wartime courage, triumph, and tragedy.” – Gregg Jones, Pulitzer Prize Finalist and author of MOST HONORABLE SON: A Forgotten Hero’s Fight Against Fascism and Hate During World War II
“Parachuting out of a plane, crash-landing in a field, or writing lipstick messages on a fuselage, Hazel Ying Lee, the subject of Susan Tate Ankeny’s AMERICAN FLYGIRL, is fearless, witty–and patriotic. Lee, a Chinese American aviation pioneer, risked her life on the home front during World War II making sure the warplanes built in Buffalo and Detroit made it to the skies over Berlin and Tokyo. In Ankeny’s fast-paced and engaging biography, Lee is at the controls, flying over the clouds of bias and sexism to serve her country. This is a story as dynamic as the banking biplanes and pursuit fighters flown by this long-overlooked war hero. Helluva Story!” – Christopher C. Gorham author of THE CONFIDANTE: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America (Citadel, 2023)
A downed B-17 bombardier’s unfinished World War II memoir and a box of letters from the young woman who saved him sets a veteran’s daughter on a journey to craft their intersecting stories-a true tale of danger, courage and love.
“Through archival documentation, [Ankeny] paces the story with considerable literary skill, stringing moments of tension throughout. This is a thrilling and masterful telling of brave Resistance members risking all, and a wonderful homage to the author’s equally courageous father.” –Booklist
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PRAISE
“In this poignant and unique debut history, Ankeny combines her father’s WWII experiences with the impressions of a young Belgian woman who helped rescue him from Nazi-occupied France … Ankeny fluidly intertwines both sides of the story, and provides necessary historical context. The result is an intimate and inspirational account of ordinary people committing heroic acts under extraordinary circumstances.” –Publishers Weekly
“A heart-pounding true story….If any reader wants to revisit the heroism, bravery, and inspiring courage of the ‘Greatest Generation,’ this is the book for you… These are real people and unforgettable heroes.” –James Longo, author of Hitler and the Hapsburgs
“The author received a wonderful gift from her father – he talked about his WWII experiences. The author’s extensive research, travel to Europe to trace his footsteps, and the ability to meet those who helped her father made this book absolutely riveting.” -Karen Berkey Huntsberger, author of Waiting for Peace and I’ll Be Seeing You.