WRITER WORKING ON CASU-11

The writer working on Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 11 is William Little.

The official title of his book is MECHANIC ON THE WING, The Untold Story of Carrier Aircraft Unit Eleven (CASU-11) 1943-1946.

I first heard about it in 2019 during a Rick Steves tour of Paris.

There was something about meeting a former Navy Commander writing history, but what?

I couldn’t put my finger on it until now, five years later:

Bill Little is a history blogger, and has been since 2015.

He is a focused baby boomer blogger working his material into a book.

It’s a writers dream.

His dedicates his blog, ‘CASU 11, WWII History of Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 11’ to his dad:

So this blog is dedicated to my Dad, Robert Henry Little, Aviation Machinist Mate, Petty Officer First Class. I will share in this blog what I have learned during my research efforts over the past two years and provide updates as I continue my investigation into the history of CASU11.  

I wholeheartedly invite your participation in my effort as I know I do not yet have the complete story. Let’s complete the story of CASU11 together.

If you have any information about CASU11, I’d love to hear from you. You can email me at william.h.little@gmail.com.

Two Writers Adding Things Up

The Bill Little I met in Paris was an interesting guy, but everyone is interesting in Paris.

With the Paris magic, I even felt vaguely interesting myself as we walked ten miles of Versailles with our wives.

The Bill Little I met in his home state of Hawaii is the same man from Paris, a retired Naval Officer intrigued by the world. But more.

You’ve met people and hope they are who you think they are? That’s who I met in Hawaii.

We talked about a books in Paris, his book, my book, lots of books. Wouldn’t a blogger remember mention of a blog?

The book I talked about is still in draft form after three professional edits. Why?

Because I think it’s more than one book. That’s my excuse.

The book he talked about seemed like it was in the home stretch, which is where many books stop.

The Bill Little I met in Kailua, Hawaii came with his wife, Mai Tais, and a book. His book. The same book we talked about in Paris, but in print.

A real book. He didn’t need an excuse.

In the world of real guys, ones who talk about writing a book then actually write it, are the real deal.

I was in awe, I’m still in awe, in Hawaii reading his book kind of awe.

Why the awesomeness? Because I don’t think he’s done; he’s not a one book writer.

Writer Working On A Memoir?

The book sitting in my hard drive is a memoir, a cancer memoir. Throat cancer.

The whole notion of that time creeped me out so much that I wanted to work with it, not against it.

Work against cancer from the wrong side and you might be in for a worse time than you bargained for.

It made me write on a tight schedule: I might not last long enough to finish. Instead, I’ve lasted long enough to want to push through.

I’ve seen the light.

I’m going to break my manuscript down into the two books it will be: funny cancer memoir, and fun times growing up in the seventies.

The two are not as connected as I thought, and now I see it.

I can see the unconnected, now I can see connections.

Tomorrow I will pitch Mr. Little a memoir idea, but first I’ll explain memoir:

“a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge or special sources.“

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The story of writing Mechanic On The Wing dives into the human connections made in one of the most stressful eras of recorded history.

It’s a chase after sources, a race through archives, and a resounding success. It’s a story of doubt and perseverance.

It’s a story that resonates with descendants today.

In a way it’s the story of America before Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.

America had earned it’s seat at the table of nations after defeating a world power in the
Spanish American War.

It earned a bigger say after tipping the scales in 1917, three years after WWI started.

1940 America was working through the Great Depression. The war in Europe was declared in 1939 and already putting people to work here.

America declared war on Japan the day after the Pearl Harbor Attack.

It was a day of doubt yet confidence in the outcome.

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On a personal level every writer working on a new book begins the same way, with doubts and confidence.

I believe Bill Little’s story of a writer working on the story of a history book is next level history.

The way he was contacted and the serendipity of life play a big part, the sort of part we can all hope for.

A comment from Bill’s blog:

I cannot thank you enough for the research and work you are putting into your CASU 11 project. To be able to learn, and share that knowledge with my children, has meant a lot to me. Knowing that my mother now has a deeper connection to her dad, through his service record and through your work on CASU 11 means so much, and for that I really cannot thank you enough. 

I will look forward to your next blog post. 

The War in the Pacific needed aircraft carriers and planes to span the great distances.

Lacking enough carriers for the job, the planes needed air strips on islands to close in on Japan and end the war.

The forward bases needed pilots to fly the planes and crews to keep them in the air.

Mechanic On The Wing is the story of one group.

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I wholeheartedly invite your participation in my effort as I know I do not yet have the complete story. Let’s complete the story of CASU11 together.

I encourage you to read Mr. Little’s book about the work behind the scenes for the ‘Unconditional Surrender’ that ended WWII.

For this writer working on a smaller scale, it’s a story about the forgotten men who made it possible.

Will Bill Little write a book about his own journey of discovery? He’s done the research and demonstrated command of his subject.

He’s rested and ready.

What would be a good title for his new memoir?

I’ll wait here for suggestions.