Silver Wings: The U.S. Army Airforce in Texas 1940-1946, Thomas Alexander has created a concise and colorful portrait of Texas during World War II, illustrating how the arrival of thousands of strangers in military uniforms forever changed the faces of eight towns and cities across the Lone Star State. Based on extensive on-site research, rich anecdotal material, and personal interviews, the book briefly describes each community, establishing each location's pre-war condition, then analyses the permanent social and economic impact each wartime airfield had on its host community.

 THOMAS E. ALEXANDER was a commissioner for the Texas Historical Commission for twelve years, where he was integral in establishing historical markers at important sites of Texas World War II history. He has authored numerous books on Texas history, and resides in Kerrville, Texas