In the Steeley novel Wings of Romance, Ramon Gonzales was the son of Antonio Gonzales, the ex-president of Carabonia. The incumbent, President Pedro Ramoza wanted to capture his father Antonio as he had continued to oppose him and his policies but Antonio was protected by loyal followers and his Ramoza's troops could not penetrate the jungle to reach his hacienda. However Ramoza managed to kidnap Ramon and had him imprisoned in the Presidential Palace, threatening to shoot the boy if Antonio did not surrender himself.
Tubby Wilde, who had fallen in love with Ramon's sister Anita, rescued Ramon and brought him back to the hacienda. When Antonio asked Tubby to help train a private army which he had formed from his men with a view to overthrowing Ramoza, Tubby needed a commanding officer for the force as he himself might be required to fly the combat aircraft which Steeley was procuring. Despite Ramon's youth (he was only 18-19 years old at the time), Tubby felt Ramon was the best man and recommended him for the job. Subsequently, Ramon acquitted himself well at the defence of the mountain pass against Ramoza's troops.