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Tempered Steel: The Three Wars of Triple Air Force Cross Winner Jim Kasler
Perry Luckett and Charles Byler have written the first biography of Col. James Kasler, who is the only three-time recipient of the Air Force Cross, the second highest medal for wartime valor. Kasler served as an eighteen-year-old B-29 tail gunner in World War II, became a legendary jet ace in Korea, and was so famous in Vietnam that he was known by name in the White House. Major General Hoyt Vandenberg put Kasler, along with Chuck Yeager and Robbie Risner, as "head and shoulders above the rest as stick-and-rudder pilots."
Kasler planned and led the most effective bombing mission of the Vietnam War. He was shot down and had to endure six and a half years of torture in a POW camp. His courage under those brutal conditions earned him the respect of such men as John McCain and James Stockdale. This book captures the essence of a genuine American hero who fought in three wars and traces the history of the U.S. Air Force during its formative period.
Kasler planned and led the most effective bombing mission of the Vietnam War. He was shot down and had to endure six and a half years of torture in a POW camp. His courage under those brutal conditions earned him the respect of such men as John McCain and James Stockdale. This book captures the essence of a genuine American hero who fought in three wars and traces the history of the U.S. Air Force during its formative period.
- GenresHistoryMilitary History
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 13, 2019
This was a fascinating biography of an American hero, Jim Kasler, over three wars (World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam). His accomplishments were many and his self-sacrifice was astounding. It is almost beyond comprehension that he went through all the torture that he did as a POW in the Viet Nam war for 6 1/2 years without breaking completely. It gives you a different perspective on that conflict and a new respect for those who served and sacrificed so much for so little. We are forever indebted to them, as we are to all those who served to defend us.
The biography is well-written and keeps the reader's interest. At times there could have been more explanation of military and aircraft details but for the most part, the description and stories of others in addition to Jim Kasler were very good and the reader learns a lot as the adventures unfold. I would recommend it.
As a personal note, I felt connected due to the fact that Jim Kasler's parents lived neighbors to my wife when she was growing up in Zanesville, Indiana. Jim and / or his wife would bring their children there for stays with their grandparents during the summer months. I was surprised to learn that Jim spent his years of retirement from the Air Force in Momence, Illinois. He owned and developed a golf course there and was very active there. That was special to me because that area was where my mother grew up. When I was young, we visited my grandma and grandpa (William and Glenna Graefnitz) on their farm just across the Indiana-Illinois state line a few miles east of Momence. We went to Momence frequently to shop, attend to business, and visit relatives who lived there. In later years, after my grandfather had passed, my grandmother lived there. That would actually be the same time period that Jim Kasler lived there. I don't know if she knew him or not, but I remember her talking about Merlin Karlock who was mentioned in the book. Those connections made the book even more interesting and relevant to me.
The biography is well-written and keeps the reader's interest. At times there could have been more explanation of military and aircraft details but for the most part, the description and stories of others in addition to Jim Kasler were very good and the reader learns a lot as the adventures unfold. I would recommend it.
As a personal note, I felt connected due to the fact that Jim Kasler's parents lived neighbors to my wife when she was growing up in Zanesville, Indiana. Jim and / or his wife would bring their children there for stays with their grandparents during the summer months. I was surprised to learn that Jim spent his years of retirement from the Air Force in Momence, Illinois. He owned and developed a golf course there and was very active there. That was special to me because that area was where my mother grew up. When I was young, we visited my grandma and grandpa (William and Glenna Graefnitz) on their farm just across the Indiana-Illinois state line a few miles east of Momence. We went to Momence frequently to shop, attend to business, and visit relatives who lived there. In later years, after my grandfather had passed, my grandmother lived there. That would actually be the same time period that Jim Kasler lived there. I don't know if she knew him or not, but I remember her talking about Merlin Karlock who was mentioned in the book. Those connections made the book even more interesting and relevant to me.
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July 3, 2008Well, it's my father's most recent book... guess I should get on this one. :-)
January 15, 2025
Very interesting and well-written biography of a US hero I'd never actually heard of until I picked up the book. The story's really powerful and I'd highly recommend it. Reviewing nonfiction books is hard for me honestly there's not much to critique, so I just hope more people read it. Kasler's done a lot to change how our military does stuff even to this day and should be heard of by way more Americans.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews