Above Average: Naval Aviation the Hard Way

Revised and updated! STEPHEN COONTS, NY Times best-selling author of Flight of the Intruder -- "D. D. Smith's personal memoir of his years in naval aviation is more than a 'I was there' tale. He captures the myriad of challenges that was Naval Aviation before the Vietnam War. When I arrived in the fleet, D. D. Smith and his compadres were the squadron execs or COs who led us nuggets into the inferno of Vietnam... A huge tip of the hat to D.D. Smith. This book will appeal to every naval aviator or NFO of whatever era. Highly recommended. "But the book is much more. It is a cleverly written and refreshingly honest story of the author's life and times as he fought his way from rural Minnesota to the blazing skies over North Vietnam. 138 combat missions. More than 800 carrier arrested landings. As the Navy's first Chief Test Pilot, his tests of the F-14 resulted in the first EVER flat spin in a Tomcat -- and it nearly killed him. No swaggering bravado here; this is a fresh, insightful look at life, luck and guts - in Vietnam and beyond.

Author: D. D. Smith
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 05/27/2018
Pages: 344
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.01lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.72d
ISBN13: 9781986283090
ISBN10: 1986283097
BISAC Categories:
- History | Wars & Conflicts | Vietnam War

About the Author
CDR D.D. Smith, USN (ret.) packed serious punch into a 21-year Navy career - way above average even for the Navy's best! During his career he flew 33 types of aircraft, including the F-14, F-4, F-8, A-7, A-5 and A-4. He tested the Swedish Viggen fighter in Sweden and was the 24th pilot to fly that airplane. He narrowly escaped with his life when he ejected from the first-ever spin in an F-14. He was the lead pilot in the spin tests of the A-7. CDR Smith accumulated more than 800 carrier arrested landings (196 at night) during the five years he spent on aircraft carriers. He commanded an A-7 squadron and managed to squeeze in an MSA from George Washington University. His 138 combat missions in Vietnam were flown during some of the hottest months of the shooting war over the North. Above Average - Naval Aviation the Hard Way - is a slice of the life and times of someone who had a front row seat. Today he is in great health with all limbs attached. He lives an active life with his wife, Jo, in Southern California.

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