My new book, “the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club: Naval Aviation in the Vietnam War” will be released tomorrow. You can pre-order today at Amazon and get one tomorrow. This book differs from all others on the topic, because it is the first to put both air forces - US and North Vietnamese - in the same sky at the same time, with named individuals in the cockpits. Through the help of the US Naval Aviators who gave the book their support with interviews and other material, I was put in touch with Dr. Nguyen Sy Hung, Historian of the Vietnam People’s Air Force, who gave me an English translation of “Historic Confrontations,” the official history of the VPAF, which US pilots who have read it say is more accurate than official US history. I was also put in touch with retired Senior Colonel Tu De of the VPAF, the last living participant in the air attack on USS Higbee and the North Vietnamese attack on Tan Son Nhut airport on April 28, 1975 - which has wrongly been attributed to “traitors” of the VNAF for 46 years - who gave me a series of interviews about his experiences, which have never appeared anywhere in the West before. Finally, I was put in touch with retired Lt. General Nguyen Phat Phi, the opponent of Roy Cash, Jr. (Johnny Cash’s nephew and co-writer of “I Still Miss Someone”) in 1968, who retired after 40 years as Deputy Commander of the Vietnam People’s Air Force, who gave me in-depth background interviews on the operations of the air force. None of this material has appeared before in the West.
I vaguely recall, as a young spear carrier in training at Pendleton, in late 1964, having seen a ground support demo of the F4. A distant spec, quickly resolving into an airplane, an amazingly large ball of fire, followed in a split second by that airplane disappearing straight up into the sky. Holy S***!!!
Interesting how the American fliers have developed ties to their former foes sufficient to recommend sources in Vietnam for historians. Not entirely unexpected given the nation airline is good Boeing customer.
Attended a funeral years ago of an old family friend where I was a bystander to a meeting and conversation between a German and a Canadian (I think) tank commander reliving African adventures. Fascinating conversation. This had clearly not been thier first rehashing of old battles.
I vaguely recall, as a young spear carrier in training at Pendleton, in late 1964, having seen a ground support demo of the F4. A distant spec, quickly resolving into an airplane, an amazingly large ball of fire, followed in a split second by that airplane disappearing straight up into the sky. Holy S***!!!
Interesting how the American fliers have developed ties to their former foes sufficient to recommend sources in Vietnam for historians. Not entirely unexpected given the nation airline is good Boeing customer.
I think you can safely count on getting all sorts of feedback.
pre-ordered: waiting with bated breath
Looking forward to a informative read, TC
Looking forward to a good read.
Attended a funeral years ago of an old family friend where I was a bystander to a meeting and conversation between a German and a Canadian (I think) tank commander reliving African adventures. Fascinating conversation. This had clearly not been thier first rehashing of old battles.
That's one hell of a link.
I am advertising with friends who are military history buffs. I suspect you'll pick up some more followers and readers!