FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dogfight Under the Tower: William B. Overstreet Jr.’s Humble and Audacious Life tells the story of the World War II fighter pilot whose daring flight became a symbol of hope in occupied Paris
[Alexandria, Virginia — October 13, 2026] The extraordinary life of World War II fighter pilot William B. Overstreet Jr. will be brought to a new generation of readers with the release of Dogfight Under the Tower: William B. Overstreet Jr.’s Humble and Audacious Life, available October 13, 2026, on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Overstreet, a fighter pilot with the 363rd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, became internationally known for one of the most audacious aerial feats of World War II: flying his P-51 Mustang beneath the Eiffel Tower while pursuing a German Messerschmitt over Paris. But Dogfight Under the Tower tells a much larger story.
The book explores Overstreet’s childhood, his experiences as a fighter pilot, the friendships forged in combat, the friends he lost, and the life he built after returning home. Through archival records, family archives, previously unseen photographs, and Overstreet’s own oral testimony, readers are invited into the cockpit of his P-51, “Berlin Express,” while also discovering the quiet, grounded man behind the legend.
Among the people whose stories intersect with Overstreet’s are fellow pilots and friends including Edward Simpson Jr., Chuck Yeager, and Bud Anderson. Their experiences provide a deeper understanding of the bonds formed among the men of the 357th Fighter Group—and the profound cost of war.
Following World War II, Overstreet devoted himself to work, family, quiet philanthropy, and preserving the history of the 357th Fighter Group. He remained committed to ensuring that the men who did not return home would not be forgotten. His dedication to remembrance became another form of service—one that continued for decades after his combat days ended.
Dogfight Under the Tower moves between the extraordinary and the everyday: from aerial combat over Europe and the legendary flight beneath the Eiffel Tower to peaceful moments at home with his wife. The result is an intimate portrait of a man whose courage made him a legend, but whose humility, relationships, and commitment to remembering others reveal the deeper story of his life.
The book will be available October 13, 2026, through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Amazon paperback (full color photos)
Amazon hardcover (black & white photos)
Barnes & Noble hardcover (full color)
Barnes & Noble paperback (full color)
Readers can learn more about William B. Overstreet Jr. and explore his military service, photographs, archival materials, and continuing legacy at:
Dogfight Under the Tower
dogfightunderthetower.com
About Dogfight Under the Tower
Dogfight Under the Tower: William B. Overstreet Jr.’s Humble and Audacious Life chronicles the life and World War II service of P-51 fighter pilot William B. Overstreet Jr. Drawing upon archival records, oral testimony, family archives, and previously unseen photographs, the book tells the story of a man remembered for one of World War II’s most remarkable aerial moments while revealing the personal story of the man who lived beyond the legend.
Rachel M. Riley and William B. Riley
dogfightunderthetower@gmail.com
Dogfight Under the Tower
dogfightunderthetower.com
Jennifer Holik is a military researcher, genealogist, author, publisher, and educator specializing in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam veteran research, storytelling, and ancestral healing. With over 15 years of experience, using a proven two-part military research strategy she created, she conducts military research and book writing for clients, and teaches researchers how to reconstruct military service and transform historical data into meaningful, accurate narratives. Jennifer takes research and writing clients – email jennifer@ancestralsouls.com to set up a free project consult. Join her newsletter and grab your PDF Freebie today.
Learn more about her WWII training programs, books, coaching, and more at her online course site the Ancestral Souls Wisdom School. Then visit the WWII Research and Writing Center where you can find more than 10 years’ worth of articles, records, tips, videos, and more.
Leave a Reply