Overview

By the time of the Vietnam War, the U.S. military had transitioned to jet aircraft. Yet leaders soon learned prop-driven planes could still play a role in counterinsurgency warfare. World War II-era Douglas B-26 light bombers proved effective in close air support and interdiction, beginning with Operation Farm Gate in 1961. Forty B-26s were remanufactured as improved A-26 attack aircraft, which destroyed hundreds of North Vietnamese supply vehicles on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in 1966-1969. The personal recollections of 37 pilots, navigators, maintenance and armament personnel, and family members, tell the harrowing story of B-26 and A-26 Air Commando Wing combat operations in Vietnam and Laos.

Full Product Details

Author:   Roger D. Graham
Publisher:   McFarland & Co Inc
Imprint:   McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 17.80cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 25.40cm
Weight:   0.513kg
ISBN:  

9781476686806

ISBN 10:   1476686807
Pages:   290
Publication Date:   29 August 2022
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1. Operation Farm Gate Farm Gate Maury Bourne Vietnam Memories: The ­B-26 Invader Bruce Kramer 1st Air Commando Group: Vietnam 1963 Jack Williams Night Scramble Mission Andrew “Andi” Biancur Captain Miles T. Tanimoto: A Hawaiian Hero’s Tale Kenneth J. Alnwick Recollections of an Old Man: Photography from ­RB-26s and ­T-28s Jimmy Phillis Charley’s Foot: One .­30-Cal Bullet Charles H. “Chuck” Holden Mission with “Jumping Joe” Kittinger George Rose ­B-26—Bien Hoa, South Vietnam—1963–64 Joe Kittinger War Story Andrew “Andi” Biancur ­A-26/­B-26 Historical Notes Tom Smith On Mark Engineering: History Robert B. Denny B-26 to ­A-26: How Could We Not Love John Sodergren Chapter 2. Big Eagle On Mark ­A-26—Nakhon Phanom, Thailand—1966–67 Joe Kittinger The Loss of Nimrod Harlan “Gene” Albee Three Stories: 1st Air Commando Wing, 603rd Maintenance Sq. England AFB, Louisiana, 1966–1967 Ed Parker Project Big Eagle Randy Ryman Setting Up Shop at Randy Ryman Back to Yesteryear Lindsey Jackson Chapter 3. Nimrod Combat Operations Out of NKP NIMROD—King of the Trail Capt. Michael J.C. Roth, USAF Forward Air Controller Perspective: NKP Combat Operations Jimmie Butler Memorable Flight of Nimrod Jimmie Butler February 1967: A Sad Month for Jimmie Butler Trouble Over the Trail James “Lee” McCleskey Every Pilot’s Nightmare James “Lee” McCleskey A Dangerous Hunt and a Close Call James “Lee” McCleskey ­A-26s—How We Kept Them Flying Jim Galluzzi Just Another Day at Jim Galluzzi “Maintenance Meanies”—12, “Flight Crews”—6 Mike Packard A Night Flight with Saint Elmo Jack Krause Ferrying an ­A-26 to Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand Bob “Pappy” Sears Loss of Carlos, Bill, and Paul Roger D. Graham Loss of “Bo” Hertlein—Spirit of the Nimrods Roger D. Graham The Lima Site 85 Mission with Colonel Learmonth Roger D. Graham Friends for Life Roger D. Graham A-26 Flight Across the Pacific Frank Nelson Khe Sanh Day Mission Frank Nelson Joining the Air Commandos by Volunteering for Graduate School William “Bill” Cohen The Mysterious Silence of Zorro William “Bill” Cohen A Short Visit to an Enemy Gunnery School William “Bill” Cohen Batman and Robin Attack a Cave Al “Batman” Shortt Almost Toast—­B-52 Attack Al “Batman” Shortt My ­A-26 Time at Leon “Crazy” Poteet Unforgettable Nimrod Missions Tim Black and Bruce “Gus” Gustafson Last ­A-26 Flight Out of Jim Blanchard “Ode to a Nimrod” Anonymous Chapter 4. Rosters and Squadron History Documents Chapter 5. A/­B-26 Memorial Chapter 6. Lasting Impact and Legacy Wife’s Story Dianne Graham The Air Force Academy Plaque Ceremony Roger D. Graham A Daughter’s Journey to Know Her Father Carla Cruz-Curtis Yes, Dear Lady, I Knew Your Harry J. Bright Letter to My Major James Sizemore “Operation Final Flight”—My Epiphany Donald Vogler A Special Day for “Special Kay” Roger D. Graham “From Liberty’s View” Kristine “Kristi” Graham Visage Restoration of the ­A-26A “Special Kay” AF 17679 Jim Reynolds Epilogue About the Contributors Index

Reviews

“Graham, with help from fellow Air Force flyers, has constructed a roller-coaster ride of stories about daring feats, successes and screw-ups, unimaginable events, close calls, and losses…well-written”—VVA Veteran “This is an accurate historical collection of remembrances by Nimrod combat crews, their training and combat missions, and their loved ones. It is a book worth reading.”—Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation

"""Graham, with help from fellow Air Force flyers, has constructed a roller-coaster ride of stories about daring feats, successes and screw-ups, unimaginable events, close calls, and losses...well-written""--VVA Veteran"

Author Information

Roger D. Graham is a 1963 graduate of the Air Force Academy, attorney, navigator-bombardier, retired Air Force colonel, retired Lockheed Martin attorney and author. He lives in Acworth, Georgia.

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