Episode
600 Letters Revealed a WWII Family Secret | Jan Cress Dondi | Author in the Headlights
- Podcast
- Author in the Headlights
- Published
- May 30, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 789
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Summary
What happens when a box of forgotten family letters uncovers one of the most dramatic true stories of World War II? In this episode of Author in the Headlights, Strider Klusman sits down with debut author and USA Today bestselling author Jan Cress Dondi to discuss The Navigator's Letter , the remarkable true story of her parents, her uncle, and one of the most dangerous military missions of World War II. After her mother's passing, Jan discovered more than 600 letters hidden away in the family basement. Those letters revealed an extraordinary story of love, courage, sacrifice, and survival surrounding Operation Tidal Wave—the infamous 1943 B-24 bombing raid against the Ploesti oil fields of Romania, Hitler's primary source of fuel. The mission became one of the costliest and deadliest days in U.S. Army Air Forces history. Jan's father was shot down and became a prisoner of war. Her family carried the legacy of that day for decades, until the letters finally brought their story to light. Join us as we discuss family history, wartime sacrifice, historical research, and the journey from discovering old letters to publishing a national bestseller. 📖 The Navigator's Letter https://books2read.com/u/meWZgg 🌐 Jan Cress Dondi https://jancressdondi.com/ 📚 Author in the Headlights https://duramenpublishing.com/author-in-the-headlights/ 📚 Browse books featured on the show https://duramenpublishing.com/bookstore/ #JanCressDondi #TheNavigatorsLetter #WWIIHistory #OperationTidalWave #PloestiRaid #MilitaryHistory #WorldWarII #HistoricalNonfiction #AuthorInterview #AuthorInTheHeadlights #Books #HistoryBooks #USATodayBestseller