Edward Lopez grew up in Los Angeles in the 1920s and '30s; a Latino scamp sneaking into movies, fishing, riding bikes, like all the other kids. He spent a year with family in New Mexico, learning the cowboy life on a ranch. Then World War II came along and soon he was a fighter pilot, taking part in dogfights and bombings that would help Gen. Patton's Third Army advance into Germany and fight the Battle of the Bulge. He also flew messenger planes under fire in Korea. As he looks back on his life, he understands some of the profound implications of how he survived and thrived. This is his story.