 Descriptively, Imil was based largely on Major Zane S. Amell, commander of the 335th FIS when Salter arrived in Korea, with whom Salter flew his first missions and who accompanied Salter to Japan on leave in April in a manner similar to DeLeo.In addition to the similarity of their names, Amell/Imil share identical physical and personality characteristics in Salter's writings.Like Cleve Saville, Amell did not "make a great mark as a (combat) pilot" but was well-liked and respected by his subordinates.