Peter Collier, director of publications for the David Horowitz Freedom Center and co-author of several books with Horowitz, has just released a gorgeous photo book honoring, and in support of, America's heroic fighter aces.

The American fighter ace stands alone as an extraordinary warrior who has distinguished himself among the elite in aerial combat, and has proven himself the hunter rather than the hunted. Throughout aviation history during World War II and the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, these heroic pilots possessed the skills, fortitude and courage to survive combat missions and return home with no fewer than five enemy kills.

Of the hundreds of aces who have served their country since the early days of flight, fewer than 90 remain with us today. To enshrine these aviators so that their legacy lives on, the Wings of Valor project (see the video above) has produced a coffee-table book featuring contemporary black and white portraits and stories of these heroes. The format and look of the book are similar to the commemorative work, Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty, created by award-winning photojournalist Nick Del Calzo and produced in collaboration with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Foundation.

Wings of Valor: Honoring America's Fighter Aces by Del Calzo and acclaimed author Peter Collier, looks at 82 of these larger-than-life fighter pilots - the last of their kind. It enters the timeless drama of their dogfights and describes their battles and the aircraft they flew. Last of all, it tells their stories - who they were and where they came from, and the lessons each man learned from his rendezvous with destiny. Now all in the winter of their lives, they recall moments when America's future hung in the balance.

Del Calzo and Collier remind us of the daring and determination of these American heroes and of the perilous times when they rushed into the air to defend their country.

Nick Del Calzo has also photographed and produced The Triumphant Spirit: Portraits & Stories of Holocaust Survivors, which features portraits of then-living survivors of the Holocaust. He lives in Denver, Colorado.

Peter Collier is the author of several best-selling dynastic biographies, including The Rockefellers: An American Dynasty; The Kennedys: An American Dream; and The Fords: An American Epic. His most recent books are The Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty, and Choosing Courage: Inspiring Stories of What It Means To Be a Hero.

For more information about the project and to show your support, go here. Order your copy here.