Star-Spangled War Stories #162 is an issue of the series Star-Spangled War Stories (Volume 1) with a cover date of May, 1972. It was published on February 15, 1972.
Synopsis for Unknown Soldier: "Take My Coward's Hand"
Appearing in Unknown Soldier: "Take My Coward's Hand"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Able Company
- Ed (Single appearance; dies)
- Wally
Antagonists:
- German Army
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
Synopsis for Balloon Buster: "The Ace of Sudden Death"
This story is reprinted from All-American Men of War #113.
Steve Savage is vouched by General Talbot from a court martial. Talbot judge Savage's skills beneficial to the war effort and consider him a natural born killer like Germany's Enemy Ace. But Savage's C.O., Major Michaels, warns Savage that if he ever disobey orders and endangers the lives of their fellow pilots again, he will have him court martial.
Savage later decide to take a look at the battlefield from the ground. By the time he arrive at the trench lines, he sees first-hand at the horrors of war. The Germans are raining accurate artillery strikes on the Allied lines due to their observation balloons reading Allied troop movements.
The next day, Savage goes on a patrol while sternly told not to break formation. But upon seeing the Allied trench lines being blown apart, and remembering the suffering and weary doughboys from yesterday, Savage breaks formation and flies his SPAD to attack the observation balloons. He succeeds in downing the balloons while also being help cover by Lt. Edwards, a new pilot who admires Savage, and engaging a tiger-striped Fokker.
After returning to the airfield, Major Michaels makes his promise on Savage in which he grounds him until he is arrange for his court martial. Michaels excuse Edwards from any punishment as he is ignorant of Savage's consequences. On the next day, the field is unexpectedly paid a visit by the same tiger-striped Fokker encountered by Savage. The Fokker drops a message for Savage: the pilot, Von Sturm, wants a re-match with Savage. Major Michaels still refuse to have Savage fly again and instead have one of the other pilots to take his place. But to the surprise of everyone, Lt. Edwards impulsively takes to the air and engage in Von Sturm's duel. But the duel quickly ends in Edwards' death.
Edwards' death drives Savage to accept the fact that he is not fit to wear the uniform. But, he dons in his getup and fly to his duel with Von Sturm on his own terms. Savage's plane is caught on fire, but Savage make use of the trailing smoke to blind Von Sturm, and allowing him to defeat his opponent.
Appearing in Balloon Buster: "The Ace of Sudden Death"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Major Michaels
- General Talbot
Antagonists:
- Von Sturm (Dies)
Other Characters:
- Lt. Edwards (Dies)
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
- SPAD S.XIII
Synopsis for "Back of Beyond"
Appearing in "Back of Beyond"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
Locations:
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See Also