Literary Las Vegas: Bill McWilliams

Using letters, journals, historical records, eye witness accounts and recently released government documents, Bill McWilliams takes readers through the horrors of the attack on Pearl Harbor in "Sunday in Hell: Pearl Harbor Minute by Minute."

From the build up to war to the aftermath in Hawaii, McWilliams explores stories few have told. While he shares the accounts of generals and admirals, the Las Vegas author also includes stories told by everyone from deckhands to civilians.

McWillliams is also the author of "A Return to Glory: The Untold Story of Honor, Dishonor, and Triumph at the United States Military Academy, 1950-53" and "On Hallowed Ground: The Last Battle for Pork Chop Hill."

McWilliams attended the military academy, joined the Air Force and went on to fly missions throughout the Vietnam War. Later in his career, he served as an Air Force accident investigator. After he retired, he decided to put his combat and investigative background to work on the printed page.

McWilliams plans to discuss his books during a presentation at 10:30 a.m. Friday in the Summerlin Library, 1771 Inner Circle Drive. Fore more information, visit lvccld.org.

Excerpt from 'Sunday in Hell: Pearl Harbor Minute by Minute'

Adjacent to the Schofield Barracks, at Wheeler Field, in the first moments of the attack, Private Wilfred D. Burke, an aircraft armorer in the 72nd Pursuit Squadron, looked up to see an approaching Val dive bomber. "It was the first time I had ever seen a plunging dive bomber and it was an awesome sight. Nothing in warfare is more frightening. Hurtling down on us was the dive bomber being followed by another, while six or seven more were in echelon awaiting their turn. The leader pulled out right over us in a spectacular climbing bank. We could clearly see the rising sun of Japan on his wings and fuselage." In the succeeding minutes he saw firsthand the true horror and devastation caused by the attacking Japanese aircraft.