On August 18, 1945, US Army sergeant Anthony J. Marchione bled to death in the clear, bright sky above Tokyo. Marchione, a gunner in the US Air Forces, died like so many before him in World War IIquietly, cradled in the arms of a buddy. Though tragic, Marchiones death would have been no more notable than any other had he not had the dubious distinction of being the last American killed in World War II combat.Based on official American and Japanese histories, personal memoirs, and the authors exclusive interviews with many of the storys key participants, Last to Die is a rousing tale of air combat, bravery, cowardice, hubris, and determination, all set during the turbulent and confusing final days of World War II.