New Book - Dogfight Over Tokyo - World War II
Nov 11, 2019
John F. Wukovits - Author
New Book - Dogfight Over Tokyo - World War II

Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, then attended high school in Michigan after the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company transferred my father to the Detroit area. After attending Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, Michigan, I enrolled at the University of Notre Dame and received a bachelor's degree in history in 1967. I then studied American History for one year at Michigan State University, earning a master's degree in 1968. I have long been fascinated with the Pacific Theater of World War II. In the fourth or fifth grade, I read a book about the Battle of the Coral Sea—and was hooked!

I have researched World War II history for more than thirty years, focusing mainly on the Pacific Theater.  In addition to my  books, which are described elsewhere on this website, I have written two chapters for a World War II book published by HarperCollins for the Library of Congress in 2004, as well as biographical essays on Admiral George Dewey and Admiral William Halsey that have been included in different collections.  In addition, my writing has appeared in more than twenty-five magazines, including WWII HISTORY, MILITARY HERITAGE, NAVAL HISTORY, and AMERICAN HISTORY.  Along the way, I have interviewed close to 400 veterans of both theaters of the war.

As part of my work, I have been fortunate to appear in various television productions. Oliver North interviewed me as his chief historian for an episode about Wake Island for his Oliver North's War Stories series on Fox Television. The History Channel asked me to be the main historical consultant and on-air commentator for the ten-part series, Pacific: The Lost Evidence, which is frequently rerun. BookTV has also aired some of my book presentations and signings.     In June 2005 I retired after teaching junior high school History and Language Arts for more than thirty years. Happily, I found teaching and writing very compatible—they both require the ability to condense complicated topics into something people can grasp. I am currently a member of three historical/writing organizations—the Organization of American Historians, the Society for Military History, and the Golf Writers' Association of America.

Growing up in Akron, Ohio and having the chance to play the Firestone Country Club almost every summer day as a youth, I developed a love for golf that has never diminished. In writing articles for GOLF Magazine, MICHIGAN GOLFER, and other publications, I have been able to meet and personally interview figures such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Phil Mickelson.

I have three daughters—Amy, Julie, and Karen—and four grandchildren—Matthew and Megan  Dickerman, and Emma and Kaitlyn Lastra. When I'm not writing or teaching, I like to golf, read, and jog.