Thanks to everyone for their positive feedback. It was a big decision for us to tell James's story, and by yesterday I was a nervous wreck, having not seen the piece before it aired and being uncertain as to how we would be presented. I was thrilled with the final product, and thought it told a very clear story. As to the "Nay-Sayer", he didn't offer one compelling argument or rationional explanation for this. If you have ever seen 2 year old's playing, they aren't usually sitting around the sand box discussing WWII battles! Sheesh.
As for the WWII helmet that my son wore in the piece, it was a gift to him. From Jack Larsen, given to my son BEFORE Jack knew about the real story!
Another piece of info that didn't make it into the final editing: James Huston was flying an FM-2 Wildcat when he was shot down. My husband grasped onto this one piece of information while doing his research, because James insisted he had flown a Corsair, and even when asked, would never deviate from this. When Anne Barron, Huston's sister, sent us some photo's of her brother, there was one (shown last night) with him standing in front of a Corsair! My husband ordered Huston's military service records, and found out that before joining squadron VC-81 aboard the Natoma Bay, Huston had been part of VF-301, an elite squadron of pilot's put together to figure out how to fly the Corsair, the Navy's premier fighter, off of aircraft carriers. Once he completed his service with that squadron, he was moved to VC-81 on Natoma Bay, about 4 months before he was killed. Another detail, when Huston was shot down, his wingman in formation next to him was Jack Larsen. Now if that doesn't make your hair stand on end, nothing will!!!
Andrea