Overview

Unbreakable Wings is the extraordinary true story of a small-town Wisconsin farm kid whose roots in hard work and resolve became his foundation for life far above the fields he once worked. Though the farm shaped him, Derek always dreamed of more. That ""more"" came into focus the day he fell in love with aviation-and from that moment on, he set his sights on the skies. Determined to become a navy pilot, he forged ahead through heartbreak, a collapsed lung, and crushing self-doubt. When he finally earned his wings, he believed the turbulence was behind him. He had made it-flying high, serving with pride, and living the dream he'd worked so hard to achieve. But just a few months into his first squadron assignment, Derek discovered just how much more life had in store for him when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. In an instant, he was grounded and thrust into a different kind of battle. He knew that if he ever wanted to fly again, he'd have to fight not just for his career but for his life. Told with raw honesty, a touch of humor, and an abundance of heart, Unbreakable Wings is a powerful testament to grit, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit-to a man who refused to give up. From soaring above the clouds to the solitude of a hospital room, Derek's story is one of enduring courage and immense inspiration. Even in the darkest moments, when his dream seemed forever lost, he found the strength to keep going-proving that sometimes, the strongest wings are the ones forged in the fire . . . and made unbreakable.

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9781966786276

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Reviews

""One can find a myriad of stories of military courage in the bookstores of America, but CAPT (Ret.) Derek Adametz's journey represents a rare triumph of determination over repeated life-threatening medical setbacks. In a conversational, easy-to-read style, Adametz describes how his own body-not a foreign adversary-became the enemy he had to vanquish in order to pursue his dream of being a navy pilot. One cannot help but admire Adametz's deft navigation, even while alone and unafraid, of the military's medical and flying bureaucracies that grudgingly provided support but were seemingly more interested in planting landmines in his way. In the end, Adametz achieves not merely the most important of human goals-physical survival and the creation of a beautiful family-but also reaches the pinnacle of every military officer's career: command. Adametz offers lessons in resilience, self-reliance, and sheer dumb luck, and as the pages fly by, any reader will ask with not a little trepidation, ""I wonder how I would have done in these circumstances."" I was lucky enough to have worked closely with Adametz for several years, and readers will have the next best thing through these pages."" -Kenneth B. Handelman, SES, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Intelligence and Security ""This moving account of a young man whose dreams of being a naval aviator were almost dashed before they even began is inspirational and uplifting. Overcoming multiple challenges and living on an emotional roller coaster, Derek Adametz, retired navy captain, shares his personal journey of setbacks, heartbreak, success, and, ultimately, joy. From his early years growing up on a Wisconsin farm, Derek recounts his struggles with his health and the navy with rare candor and insight. In spite of the obstacles placed in his path, he never lost hope-although there were moments of deep doubt and uncertainty-that he would achieve his ultimate goal of earning his wings and flying P-3s. Forever grateful to those who helped him along the way-doctors, a few key navy shipmates who stepped up at just the right moment, and, above all else, his wife-Derek's story is uniquely moving. Get out the tissues because this is a story that will tear at your heartstrings!"" -Madelyn Creedon, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs ""This moving account of a young man whose dreams of being a naval aviator were almost dashed before they even began is inspirational and uplifting. Overcoming multiple challenges and living on an emotional roller coaster, Derek Adametz, retired navy captain, shares his personal journey of setbacks, heartbreak, success, and, ultimately, joy. From his early years growing up on a Wisconsin farm, Derek recounts his struggles with his health and the navy with rare candor and insight. In spite of the obstacles placed in his path, he never lost hope-although there were moments of deep doubt and uncertainty-that he would achieve his ultimate goal of earning his wings and flying P-3s. Forever grateful to those who helped him along the way-doctors, a few key navy shipmates who stepped up at just the right moment, and, above all else, his wife-Derek's story is uniquely moving. Get out the tissues because this is a story that will tear at your heartstrings!"" -Madelyn Creedon, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs

""This moving account of a young man whose dreams of being a naval aviator were almost dashed before they even began is inspirational and uplifting. Overcoming multiple challenges and living on an emotional roller coaster, Derek Adametz, retired navy captain, shares his personal journey of setbacks, heartbreak, success, and, ultimately, joy. From his early years growing up on a Wisconsin farm, Derek recounts his struggles with his health and the navy with rare candor and insight. In spite of the obstacles placed in his path, he never lost hope-although there were moments of deep doubt and uncertainty-that he would achieve his ultimate goal of earning his wings and flying P-3s. Forever grateful to those who helped him along the way-doctors, a few key navy shipmates who stepped up at just the right moment, and, above all else, his wife-Derek's story is uniquely moving. Get out the tissues because this is a story that will tear at your heartstrings!"" -Madelyn Creedon, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs

Author Information

Derek Adametz was born and raised outside of Madison in the beautiful state of Wisconsin. A retired navy captain and former naval aviator, Derek's career-and life-shifted course after a cancer diagnosis. Through years of military service and battles fought both in the air and on the ground, he discovered a deeper story worth telling. His writing explores themes of resilience, transformation, and quiet perseverance. He now lives in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he continues to write and reflect on the journey that shaped him. Unbreakable Wings is his debut memoir.

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