Star Spangled War Stories #151

Star Spangled War Stories #151 (On Sale: April 21, 1970) has a new main feature and new logo this month with the introduction of The Unknown Soldier in a cover by Joe Kubert.

We begin with "They Came from Shangri-La," the 14-page introduction of the Unknown Soldier by writer/artist/editor Joe Kubert. It is 1942 and a mysterious soldier who possesses intimate knowledge of military history and strategy is brought to the Pentagon to accept an assignment. The Unknown Soldier is a master of disguise, with his true face is known only to his friend, a sergeant in the army (we only see him in shadows, but it is clear that he is not wearing the facial bandages he will sport in subsequent stories). For this assignment, he assumes the identity of army air force pilot Captain Shales.  

He is sent from Washington to the Pacific where he leads a bomber mission against the major cities of Japan. This is the first attack on Japan's mainland during World War II and follows a string of American defeats in the Philippines. The bombers make their raids, then crash land in Chinese territory. They are attacked by the Chinese and only Shales and two of his crew manage to get away. They eventually meet up with a group of Chinese guerrillas who, after Shales fights their champion, conduct them to safety in Chunking.

Following the mission, the Unknown Soldier returns to Washington and pays his respects at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. OK, not the flashiest of introductions and there are still a few things they need to iron out in the character.

The back-up is  "Flaming Bait" a 12-page reprinted Enemy Ace story from Our Army at War #153 (where it was 14 pages long) by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert. Before leaving on a new mission, a photographer asks to take Hans Von Hammer's picture, but due to his superstitious nature, he refuses. Another pilot, Erich Schloss, does not share Von Hammer's fear and allows a photo. On the mission, Erich is shot down, lending credence to Von Hammer's superstition.

On the next flight, Erich's brother Werner has his picture taken. During the mission, Von Hammer tries to protect Werner, but anti-aircraft fire downs Werner's plane. Von Hammer blames himself for the death of the brothers.

To thwart the curse, Von Hammer allows his own picture to be taken before the next mission. He survives several near miss encounters, but he brings his plane back intact. However, the photographer that took his picture was killed on the ground.

Edited by Joe Kubert.