‘Red Burning Sky’ by Club member Tom Young explores little-known story from World War II

A new book by National Press Club member Tom Young reveals one of the most dynamic and heretofore rarely known stories about World War II. Young discussed "Red Burning Sky," a historical novel based on Operation Halyard, at a virtual member author event on Feb. 24.

Operation Halyard was the “greatest aviation rescue in history,” Young said. More than 500 downed American flyers were extricated from Yugoslavia in 1944. The airmen had been targeting German-held and heavily protected oil fields in Romania.

The situation in Yugoslavia at the time was complicated, Young said. On one hand, there were the Chetniks led by General Dragoljub "Draža" Mihailović. On the other hand, Marshal Tito led the Partisans. Collectively fighting the Germans, they also were fighting each other. Both the Chetniks and the Partisans helped keep American airmen from being captured by the Germans. 

Operation Halyard brought together American special-operations forces, airmen and locals – mainly Chetnicks. The local contingent constructed a secret runway on top of a mountain in the rural countryside of Yugoslavia so that U.S. transport planes could land at night and save the downed airmen.  

In his novel, one of Young’s main characters is Lieutenant Drew Carlton who “was desperate for redemption.” He volunteers for the Halyard mission. In his presentation, Young also highlighted two other characters, an airman who had been shot down and a Serbian. One of these characters, Bill Bogdonavich, he named after his own college professor.

Young’s experience as a pilot and crew chief in the Air National Guard gave him special knowledge in writing his novel. Young served in Afghanistan and Iraq with the Air National Guard, flew combat missions to Bosnia and Kosovo, and logged nearly 5,000 hours as a flight engineer while flying to almost 40 countries.

Naomi Weiss of the Member Author Group introduced Young. The Member Author Book Group produces events for Club members to promote their recently published books. The group meets – currently virtually -- at noon on the second Tuesday of the month. To inquire about the group, contact Joe Motheral at [email protected].