Draws on letters and other sources to trace the experience of Bostonians George and Gerard Hughes as they progressed from apprentice pilots to flight instructors and combat pilots in the fledgling American Air Service during World War I. George was sent to France where he flew observation planes over the front lines. Gerard spent the war in Texas as an instructor, but joined his brother in France as the war ended. About a dozen photographs are included, and short sketches of people mentioned. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR