A member of Light Attack Squadron 212 s "Rampant Raiders," A-4 pilot Stephen R. Gray writes about his experiences flying combat sorties from the deck of an aircraft carrier during one of the most intense periods of aerial combat in U.S. history. From the perspective of a junior naval aviator, Gray reveals the lessons he learned first at the Naval Aviation Training Command and then in actual combat flying the Skyhawk from USS Bon Homme Richard in Vietnam.
Training strengthens commitment, Gray points out, allowing ordinary men like him to fly dangerous missions. Readers will discover how circumstances created heroe--heroes who managed to overcome their personal fears for a greater cause--and how, despite the lack of public support for the war, the men remained committed to one another. The book addresses how men react to service during contentious political times to offer lessons relevant today.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Rampant Raider:
It is not by accident that The Naval Historical Society has chosen to pick this book for publication. Riveting, hard hitting, and as worthwhile time spent as anything read in decades. Not for the pacemaker impaired !
Rampant Raider:
Rampant Raider: An A-4 Skyhawk Pilot in Vietnam Like Steve Gray, I went through the exact program approximately a year later and made the 1968 Bonnie Dick cruise in a sister A 4 squadron and knew him. Though the book is an accurate account at that time of the syllabus from OCS, primary, basic, advanced jets, the RAG, SERE school and even combat, I found the book loaded with unnecessary minutia i.e, as if written by a reporter following Steve around as to what time chow was served, details of the O... more info
Quality Aviation Tale:
It helps to have some background in naval aviation to fully appreciate the level of detail early in the book, but the story evolves into a gripping account of the air war over North Vietnam - all of its tension, frustrations and exhiliration.
So glad I read this:
I have always had an interest in the Vietnam War since I visited the country in 1995 with the Semester at Sea program. I was lucky to be one of the first groups of American students allowed to visit since the war. It was a mystery to me... It piqued my interest on how much the war impacted my parents' era, but more so, helped me begin to understand what it meant for my Grandfather to be a part of the war. My Grandfather was Captain of the USS Bon Homme Richard while Mr. Gray was aboard. I was recommended... more info
