Escape from Hell, an AVG Flying Tiger's Journey

By Shiela Bishop Irwin and Lewis Sherman Bishop Escape from Hell is a true account of an American Volunteer Group (AVG) Flying Tiger pilot.  Lewis Sherman Bishop was Vice Squadron Leader of the 3rd Pursuit Squadron.  Claire Chennault”s AVG became legendary as their combat record provided hope China against Japan in the dark early days of World War II. Lew Bishop was one of four AVG members to become a Japanese POW after his plane went down in Indochina. He endured nearly a year of brutal treatment as a political prisoner and then near death was taken to a POW camp, where his fellow POWs nursed him back to Health. After three years of captivity, he and four Marines escaped from a moving prison train. Aided by the Chinese, they traveled more than 40 days and 1,000 miles to reach American forces and freedom.  Bishop returned to the United States expecting a joyful reunion with his wife and daughter born while he was in prison, but faced an immediate divorce.  He returned to duty with the US Navy, but the stresses of his experiences ultimately caused a breakdown. That began a lifelong struggle with what is now known as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He died in 1987, and received posthumously the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1996.