“In the pursuit of authenticity, of accurate history and undeniable courage, no words matter more than, ‘I was there.’ Read Luck of the Draw and the life of Frank Murphy and ponder this: how did those boys do such things?” —Tom Hanks
The epic true story of an American hero who flew during WWII, soon to be featured in the upcoming Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks TV Series, Masters of the Air.
Beginning on August 17, 1942, American heavy bomber crews of the Eighth Air Force took off for combat in the hostile skies over occupied Europe. The final price was staggering. 4,300 B-17s and B-24s failed to return; nearly 21,000 men were taken prisoner or interned in a neutral country, and a further 17,650 made the ultimate sacrifice.
Luck of the Draw is more than a war story. It’s the incredible, inspiring story of Frank Murphy, one of the few survivors from the 100th Bombardment Group, who cheated death for months in a German POW camp after being shot out of his B-17 Flying Fortress.
In a tribute to his comrades, Murphy made this observation: “There was no single reason why men who looked death in the face over Europe in 1943 went back into battle day after day. The airmen of the Eighth were amateurs, not professional soldiers. We had no idea whether we were good soldiers or not, but we had not collapsed in the face of a difficult enemy. Duty, honor, country played their part, certainly, but not because these precepts were drilled into us by the Army. It was just the way we were. In my view, however, the single driving force that kept us going was the bond one felt with the men who stood steadfastly beside him when all their lives were at stake.”
Though Murphy is no longer here to share his story firsthand, this talk will be presented by his granddaughter, Chloe Melas, who also provided a new forward, written with his daughter, Elizabeth Murphy, for the upcoming edition.
About the Presenters
Chloe Melas is an entertainment reporter for CNN, covering breaking celebrity news, industry analysis and in-depth investigations. She currently resides in New York with her husband and their two sons.
Elizabeth Murphy holds a Masters of English Literature from Northern Arizona University and is the author of numerous children’s books. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, where she was born and raised.
About the Author
Frank D. Murphy survived months in a German POW camp after being shot out of his B-17 Flying Fortress. He withstood a harrowing death march in sub-zero temperatures – and his bravery earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, and the Air Medal. The incredible stories of Frank Murphy and his 8th Air force’s 100th Bomb Group – nicknamed The Bloody Hundredth – will be featured in the upcoming Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks Apple+ TV Series, Masters of the Air.
Promotional language provided by publisher.