Step into the incredible world of Colonel James Goodwin Hall (1896–1952), a decorated World War I and World War II pilot, trailblazing aviation pioneer, and one of the strategists behind the D-Day invasion as Director of Reconnaissance for the Eighth Air Force in World War II. From flying dangerous missions during World War I to earning accolades from President Roosevelt during World War II, Colonel Hall’s life and military service is the stuff of legend. A renaissance man of many talents, curiosity and drive, his adventures didn’t end after the World Wars. He also left his mark as a Wall Street broker, auto and airplane industry executive, and co-partner in the establishment of the American Quarter Horse in racing. Whether racing airplanes, motorboats or his bay gelding named “Golden Eagle”, piloting cutting-edge seaplanes, or exploring the far reaches of the world, Hall lived life on his own terms—always chasing new horizons and pushing boundaries. With vivid storytelling and previously unpublished documents and photos, author Doug Hall brings his grandfather’s vibrant legacy to life in a captivating biography that reveals a man who didn’t wait for history to call—he made it. Legacy of the Skies is an unforgettable portrait of a true American original who seized every moment of his astonishing life’s journey.