Marine Air - Hardcover

Dorr, Robert F.

3.7

20 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0425207250 ISBN 13: 9780425207253

Publisher: Berkley Hardcover, 2005

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The first fully illustrated oral history of the United States Marine Corps Air Force-the "Flying Leathernecks."

The U.S. Marines generally inspire thoughts of a peerless ground force that has always bravely answered America's call to arms. But the Marines also have an air arm with a tradition every bit as proud and legendary as the ground infantry they support. Now, military historian Robert F. Dorr presents the first fully--llustrated oral history of the Marine Air Wingand gives the "Flying Leathernecks" the recognition they deserve.

When America entered World War I in 1917, the Marine Air Wing had only thirty-five aviators. During World War II, it expanded to sixty-one squadrons--twenty with at least one flying ace--and over 10,000 pilots. Led by men like their top ace, Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, Marine planes ruled the air in the Pacific.

Marine Air is a long-overdue, illustrated history-from WWI to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Filled with the Flying Leathernecks' own words and packed with photographs of the "the few, the proud" of the skies, this is the story of their unwavering commitment to protecting their comrades on the ground-and to defending the country they have never let down-no matter what the odds.

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About the Author:

Robert F. Dorr is a military historian and aviation expert and the author of over a dozen books on military fighter planes, bombers, and aerial combat. He is the author of the Alpha Bravo Delta Guide to the U.S. Army. He lives and works in Oakton, Virginia, a suburb of Fairfax.

Review:

Some of the best stories of aerial combat [told] by the actual pilots. Think of Marines and you'll think of the ground forces - but their air arm is also legendary, and military historian Robert F. Dorr provides here the first illustrated oral history of the Marine Air Wing, which began in 1917 and became a major force during the Second World War. Any military collection will find it a 'must' addition, and many a public library holding will find it a popular lend. --Charleston Post and Courier

As a former Marine and combat vet, I owe my life to a couple of Marine pilots out there. This is an incredible and highly entertaining read for those interested in aerial combat...or Marine Corps history. These accounts put you right in the cockpit. Robert Dorr has done a good job. Very informative and well written. Well done. Semper Fi to my flying brothers out there and thanks for giving me an oppotunity to praise you in this manner. --By J. D. walker

Noted aviation historian Robert Dorr chronicles the air and air-to-ground combats of a variety of Marine aviators in this book from Berkley Caliber. Based in large part on interviews with over 70 pilots and aircrew, Dorr's book covers the whole sweep of Marine aviation from Grumman Wildcats to McDonnell F/A-18 Hornets. In the fifty years of air combat covered by Dorr, the Marines flew a variety of aircraft in harm's way - Wildcats, Corsairs, Skyraiders, helos, Skyknights, A-4s, F-4s, Intruders, you name it. Whatever your interest in Marine aviation, there's something for everyone in this book -dogfights, air-to-mud, rescue missions in early helos, etc. A few familiar names and tales crop up - John Bolt, John Cummings, etc. - but, by and large, the first-hand accounts are new and very interesting. The text is well-illustrated with over 100 black and white photographs. All in all, a good introduction to flying Leathernecks in action. --By Michael OConnor

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