The document summarizes Dennis Okerstrom's book "Project 9: Birth of the Air Commandos in World War II" which won an award from the Air Force Historical Foundation. It discusses how Okerstrom became interested in the little-known Air Commandos special forces unit that conducted the first aerial invasion behind enemy lines in Burma. The book highlights the pilots' training and missions. Okerstrom hopes to preserve the stories of these veterans while they are still living.

1. In August 1943, in the midst
World War II, Japan’s grip on Asia
was growing, threatening China’s
involvement in the war.
U.S. President Franklin
Roosevelt and British Prime
Minister Winston Churchill made
an agreement at the Quebec
Conference to bring air support
to provide China with necessary
supplies. The mission required
men to invade Burma behind
enemy lines to resupply Allied
forces—no matter the cost.
Thus was born Project 9. This
extremely secret mission would be
the first aerial invasion of a foreign
country in the history of the world,
and would spearhead what is
known today as special operations.
Seventy-one years later, Dennis
Okerstrom’s book “Project 9: Birth
of the Air Commandos in World
War II” won the Air Power History
Best Book Reviewed award
from the Air Force Historical
Foundation. The book highlights
the stories of the pilots, their
training with the British troops and
their aerial attack behind Japanese
lines.
The Air Force Historical
Foundation is dedicated to
promoting the preservation and
appreciation of the history and
heritage of the United States Air
Force and its predecessors.
“It’s nice to get an award like
that,” said Okerstrom, “but I’m just
glad that this group of guys who
never got any attention during the
war, because they were secret, are
finally getting some recognition.”
Okerstrom is a professor of
English at Park University, but he
has a marked interest in aviation
and aviation history, particularly
WWII, an interest he says he
came by naturally as several of his
family members were in the war.
He first became intrigued
by the Air Commandos while
he researched his great uncle.
A member of the British army,
he was killed in North Africa in
1941, before the United States
entered the war. Had he lived, he
would have been sent to Burma
with his regiment to be part of
the British force that connected
with the American force, the Air
Commandos to be part of Project
9.
Okerstrom immediately began
researching the Air Commandos,
and found out they were a
fascinating group.
The Air Commandos were
designed to be a self-contained
unit, complete with fighters,
bombers, C-47 cargo planes,
giant gliders, and the world’s first
operational helicopters.
They trained with British
troops and then flew over a range
of mountains known as the Chin
hills, and went 200-250 miles
behind Japanese lines to release
the gliders. They would then circle
around and land in clearings in the
jungle at night with no lights, to
harass the Japanese by blowing up
communication lines and railroads.
One of the pilots was Jackie
Coogan, the biggest child star of
the 1920s and 30s. He starred in
The Kid with Charlie
Chaplin, and later
played the role of
Uncle Fester in the
Addams Family.
Another pilot was
Buddy Lewis,
who was an all-
star third baseman
and outfielder for
the Washington
Senators, before the
war.
Dick Cole was
also a pilot in
Project 9, who was
world-famous for
being the co-pilot to
Jimmy Doolittle in
the Doolittle raid of
Tokyo in 1942 after
Pearl Harbor.
Okerstrom latest
book, “Dick Cole’s
War” was published
Sept. 7, on Cole’s
100th
birthday, and
highlights the story of Cole, who,
in addition to being a co-pilot in
the Doolittle raid, a Hump Pilot, as
well as an Air Commando.
Okerstrom is currently working
on two more books: one about the
stories of the WWII glider pilots
in general, and another about what
happened to the Doolittle raiders
after the bombing of Tokyo.
“I’m on a mission now to get
as many of these stories of these
old fly guys while I can still get the
stories,” said Okerstrom. “They
are leaving us pretty rapidly. In
another five years, it may not be
possible to get any of these stories.
That’s my mission: to tell these
stories so people don’t forget what
they did.”
As a professor of English at
Park University, Okerstrom brings
several qualities to the department
as a whole.
“He’s a great contributor to
the day-to-day operations of the
department,” said Brian Shawver,
Chair of the department of
English and Modern Languages
in an email message. “He serves
on task forces and committees,
provides important insights in
our department meetings, just
generally stays engaged with what
we’re doing at the department
level.”
“He is a dynamic, inspiring
classroom teacher and a supportive
colleague,” said Emily Donnelli-
Salle, associate professor of
English and dean of the school of
Liberal Arts and Sciences in an
email message.
Okerstrom’s in-depth
knowledge and passion also
benefits Park University students.
“[He] is adept at translating
complex features of history,
literature, and theory in ways
that engage students as scholars,”
said Sallee. “In addition to his
disciplinary knowledge, Dr.
Okerstrom’s intellectual curiosity
is catching – through his scholarly
work, he models for students the
relevance of academic research
and writing.”
“Besides his expertise in
the subject matter—which is
substantial—Dr. Okerstrom brings
to his classrooms a great deal of
passion, warmth, and humor,” said
Shawver.
“He really encourages students
to engage with the material, even
material that on the surface may
not seem to be relevant to their
lives. He’s quite good at showing
students how and why literature
and writing matter.”
Regarding his award for his
book, Okerstrom points back to
the group of men the book is about.
“I’m just glad that the Air
Commandos and the guys that
I’ve gotten to know so well will
finally get some recognition,” he
said. “The award, I know it sounds
passé, but the award is for them.
That story told itself. It really did.
October 8, 2015 Page 5
Professor wins ‘Best Book’ award
The streets are lined with people. Some
are sitting outside of their government
housing socializing, while others are
walking throughout downtown St. Paul,
Minn. The marque outside the American
Public Media building displays the most
recent news, both nationwide and local.
The Fitzgerald Theater is just down
the street and tonight, “A Prairie Home
Companion” is producing another one of
their live radio variety shows hosted by
Garrison Keillor.
Each Saturday night at 5 p.m., Keillor
broadcasts a live show that is on the radio
not only in Minnesota, but all over the
United States. The show has been on the air
since 1974.
The theater begins taking tickets and
volunteers lead people to their seats. Off to
the right is a sound table and down below is
the stage with the curtain drawn. The seats
are filling up quickly with people from all
generations.
Some are dressed up, others are dressed
casual. Some are drinking water, others are
drinking alcoholic beverages. It’s a night for
entertainment.
Elizabeth Orosco
Features Editor
Dennis Okerstrom, English professor stands in his office, in front of a picture of his personal
World War II plane. His book,“Project 9: Birth of the Air Commandos in World War II” won
the Air Power History Best Book Reviewed award from the Air Force Historical Foundation.
Live radio show airs downtown, Park student witnesses
Kristine Kennedy
Staff Reporter
Student watches “A Prairie Home Companion” at the Fitzgerald
Theater.The show and its host, Garrison Keillor, have been on the
air, performing since 1974.
Student desires to entertain, pursue dreams
Taylor Miller
Staff Reporter
PHOTO/Elizabeth Orosco
PHOTO/Max Mohr
His name is TuRaun Johnson, although he is almost
exclusively referred to as “True.”
The Kansas City native is a sophomore this year
and although he isn’t far from home, he says being at
Park has been an amazing experience so far.
“The people here are very welcoming. This school
is an extremely diverse international community. I
have met so many beautiful people and have been
provided with so many opportunities,” he says.
Some of the opportunities include a stint as DJ
of Park University’s radio station, KGSP FM, which
airs in Parkville, North Kansas City and surrounding
counties and everywhere on the Internet.
He also served as DJ for this year’s Homecoming
dance where, even as a new student at the university
he was nominated to be duke.
Johnson is a communications major with a
concentration in broadcast journalism. He said his
pursuit of this degree is a tool to pursue his lifelong
dream of being a multi-faceted entertainer on modern
day media outlets.
“My dream is to be an Entertainment MOGUL,
which essentially means I want to be an all-around
entertainer,” he said. “Roles this career could
potentially include could be anything from a TV host
to a DJ. I want to embrace every attribute of the field
of entertainment. Ideally, I would love to work with a
national network like CBS. I would like to be an inspirational
Christian talk show host, unlike anyone has ever seen.”
Faith is a huge part of Johnson’s life he said. More than
anything, he said he wants to encourage and inspire those
around him in any way he can.
“True is the funniest, sweetest, kindest, craziest and
truest friends I have ever had,” said sophomore health and
wellness major Kareemah Evans. “If there is one thing I
could say about True it’s this: he truly cares about
people.”
Rashaan Price, freshman health and wellness
major and friend said, “I met True at the cafeteria.
If he is in a room that is already bright, he will only
brighten it more. He always loves to have a good
time. He is one of the greatest people I have ever
known.”
Darian Jackson, sophomore business
administration major said he met Johnson in
Chesnut.
“He puts everyone before himself,” Jackson said.
“I am so thankful to have him in my life. He is a
gem.”
When Johnson isn’t hard at work in the broadcast
studio or hanging out with his group of friends, he
said he enjoys challenging fellow students in ping-
pong tournaments and attending campus events.
According to Johnson, what really inspires him
is watching his peers pursue their dreams.
“If the door is not open, kick it down!” he said.
“No matter what you have been through, use the
gifts God gave you to be successful,” he says.
“Above all else, remember to love others. Love is
such a powerful thing. And lastly, always remember,
True is the truest!”
PHOTO/Kristine Kennedy
The pamphlet given states “PLEASE
NOTE: Microphones within the theater
pick up your applause and laughter as part
of our live radio broadcast. Please turn off
your telephones and watch alarms. They
are audible over the air. Unauthorized
video or audio recording of A Prairie Home
Companion is not permitted.”
The curtain opens promptly at 5 p.m.
and a gentleman in his 70’s enters the stage.
The crowd starts to clap and whistle as
he introduces himself and talks about the
usually warm weather outside.
“Where is everyone from?” he asks.
People are shouting, “New York,” “Boston,”
“Ohio.”
People from all over the United States
have come to watch this one-of-a-kind show.
He discusses the evening’s agenda and
the ON AIR sign lights up.
You can see the excitement in the older
generations’ eyes as they pay close attention
to what is being said. It’s as if they are being
taken back to when they were little kids,
sitting around the living room listening to
the radio with their family.
The younger generation who had their
electronic devices glued to their hand,
suddenly are piqued with interest at this
older man and the words he is saying.
Just minutes later, the
show takes off. For two hours
there is singing, short comedy
acts, special guest singers,
and guests who promote
their produce stand just an
hour away. This is different
from listening to the show on
radio. No one else is doing a
show like this, live, anymore.
This type of live radio
variety showing used to be
big when televisions were not
around and families listened
to the radio for entertainment.
This is a thing of the past
Keillor is keeping alive
through tradition.
On Saturday at 5 p.m. or
Sunday at 11 a.m. you can
tune in at KCUR-FM 89.3 to
listen to his broadcast.
Keillor plans to “pull the
plug” and retire next year
and will pass the torch to a
34-year-old gentleman, Chris
Thile
“I want to stop before my
voice gets all quavery and whispery like
other geezers I meet down at the river,”
said the 73-year-old who has worked every
Saturday evening since 1974.
PHOTO/Courtney Fairhurst
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