Piloto: Migrant Worker to Jet Pilot Book

About the Author

Henry "Hank" Cervantes was born to a family of migrant workers during the height of the Depression. Through his intelligence and determination, and a teacher who saw something special in him, he was able to graduate high school and eventually qualify for pilot training in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. After serving as a B-17 pilot (one of only a handful of Mexican-Americans to do so) with the 100th Bomber Group in Europe from 1943-45, Hank returned to the States and pursued a military career that eventually earned him the rank of Lt. Col. and the position of Project Manager for the Strategic Air Command's B-58 Hustler. After retiring from the Air Force in 1965, Hank continued to stay active in the aviation field, writing technical manuals for Northrop and working for the Defense Department. He served as a staff advisor to Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and continues to head personnel boards for the city. Away from the desk, he is a USA Track & Field official, works with the California Special Olympics, gives motivational talks at schools, and is an avid downhill skier.