The P-38 – Faster! Stronger! Lighter! Inspired by the P-38 Lightning fighter plane – the title character is a surfboard. This short story takes the reader back to WWII and the unique participation of the Merchant Marines. Intertwined with the daily repair routines of two Merchant Marines is their discovery of Balsa wood and dreams of surfing. When the War takes them to the Solomon Islands, they interact with another young man with similar dreams resulting in the historical development of the P-38. Through explosions, battle weariness, and near-death experiences, the enhanced P-38 design survives to kick start the surfboard industry that still lives on throughout the world today.