Sherman Lead
Flying the F-4D Phantom II in Vietnam
by Gaillard R. Peck, Jr.
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Pub Date Mar 05 2019 | Archive Date Feb 01 2019
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Description
Sherman Lead is the gripping story of a year flying the F-4 Phantom in combat during the Vietnam War, told through the eyes of a US Air Force fighter pilot. Operating out of Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand in 1968–69, Gail Peck and his squadronmates were tasked with flying combat missions into North Vietnam and Laos at this time as part of Operations Rolling Thunder and Steel Tiger.
The F-4 was heavily involved in the air-to-ground mission at this time, with targets being well defended by enemy anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles. Gail Peck's arrival in-theater coincided with the beginning of electro-optical and laser guided "smart" bomb combat operations. There were periods of fierce combat interspersed with lulls and the fighting was intense and unforgettable to those who participated. Some men lived through it, and others died without a clear understanding of why.
Written by a pilot who flew near-daily combat missions, this engrossing book is the story of one man, his colleagues, and his machine--the mighty F-4 Phantom--at war.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781472829375 |
| PRICE | $32.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 304 |
Links
Featured Reviews
PETER C, Reviewer
The true story of fighting in the Vietnam war, from the recollections of a young USAF fighter-bomber pilot.
From the military history and aviation perspectives, this is a very good read. The F4 Phantom aircraft, the weapon systems and the training, were described in detail. I enjoyed the technical aspects of the book. The F4 is one of my favourite all-time aircraft and it was immensely fascinating to understand what it was like to fly and fight the Phantom in such terrifying combat conditions.
Being a military pilot inevitably means losing close friends, both in training accidents as well as in combat operations. Understandably, the author does not unnecessarily dwell too much on this emotional subject.
With the benefit of hindsight, we can see the futility and political pointlessness of the campaign. At the time it was seen as fighting the potential domino effect of global Communism. Sadly many lives were needlessly lost on both sides. Every person involved in the Vietnam conflict has their own story. This book definitely fills in some of the missing gaps.
Zine S, Reviewer
My father was an F-4 hydraulic mechanic during the Vietnam conflict until the F-4 was retired. I grew up with love for the F-4. When other guys were all about the F-14 due to Top Gun, I still loved the F-4. I was excited to read this book. Peck did a great job relaying personal stories regarding his flying of the F-4 during the early Vietnam period.
Peck was a USAF pilot rather than Navy, so I was a little disappointed in that as a Navy brat. Peck still relayed the strength of the jet during this period and its versatile use. He also clearly shows from the stories how poorly the Vietnam conflict was executed by the US leadership.
I recommend this book to anyone with interest in the history of the Vietnam conflict or air warfare.
