New Moon Rising

New Moon Rising is a work of historical fiction, based upon many events in the Persian Gulf during the months prior to and following the fall of Reza Shah Pahlav in 1979. The names of the characters in the story are fictitious, but represent many of the Navy men I sailed with aboard USS LaSalle (AGF-3) from 1978 to 1980.

John S. Kistler is a native of Miami, Florida and served thirty years on active duty in the U.S. Navy as a naval aviator. He served on six aircraft carriers: USS Intrepid, USS Wasp, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, USS Independence, USS Forrestal and USS Nimitz. He also served two tours aboard the Middle East Force fl agship, USS LaSalle, as Offi cer in Charge of HS-1 Detachment One before, during and after the fall of the Shah of Iran. John is a retired Navy Captain, and with his wife, make their home in Fleming Island, Florida.