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My Wars
Experiences from WWII through and including Viet Nam as pilot, test pilot and other military experiences. Aircraft include B-17, RC-121, F-4 and many others. Interesting stories of experiences in the Army Air Force and the US Air Force.
158 pages, Paperback
First published March 14, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 13, 2021
When Richard B. Bushong began his career in the Army Air Corps, he trained on Biplane trainers and Flew B-17s over Europe. When he retired from the Air Force in 1974, he was overseeing thousands of Technicians, and Qualifying as the backseat driver for the F-4 Phantom, the Viet Nam Jet workhorse. In between his memoirs take you through the transitions of Aerial Warfare and the American Air Force from the 1940s to the Jet age as he enters as a Pilot and finishes as a Desk Jockey Logistician- who always gets his 4 hours a month in the air (The Minimum hours needed to keep Pilot Status and Pay in those days). At the same time, its a really wonderful inside look at WWII/Cold War military and civilian life and the Triumph of a Straight Shooter in an American Organisation. Bushong just tells his story as he lived it- and it's compelling even though at 150 pages it's a lean frame. I was charmed - but I learned a lot too.
The Pilot's Progress to Europe with the 8th Air Force to fly his 25 Missions is really engaging. You get a real sense of how committed all those fine young men were. His calm retelling of his time over the Reich reminds me of other pilots I have read and talked with-they really were a special group. He survived the end of the most difficult part of the bombing campaign and went back to the US to be a test pilot. From then on - its a tale of mastering the AAC/USAF bureaucracy, and learning the new Jet technologies- with some family life and world travel thrown in for good measure. When he goes back to War in Vietnam in the late 1960s- the book heats up again. It's a quick morsel- but it's a nice little story with a few cool nuggets for Cold War readers
Bushong keeps the Adult themes to a minimum and the graphic passages as well- mindful that he wanted a book for a Junior reader about 9 or 10 years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast- lots of cool background detail. I'm not sure about the Gamer, as WWII bomber raid games are rare, but the Modeler gets a lot of Diorama ideas from training to Cold War, and the Enthusiast learns a lot about the Logistical underpinnings for Modern Jet Warfare. This may not be part of the WWII/Cold War Canon, but it's one of those great little books that fill in the knowledge and story gaps between the classics. A good recommendation for a charming tome.
The Pilot's Progress to Europe with the 8th Air Force to fly his 25 Missions is really engaging. You get a real sense of how committed all those fine young men were. His calm retelling of his time over the Reich reminds me of other pilots I have read and talked with-they really were a special group. He survived the end of the most difficult part of the bombing campaign and went back to the US to be a test pilot. From then on - its a tale of mastering the AAC/USAF bureaucracy, and learning the new Jet technologies- with some family life and world travel thrown in for good measure. When he goes back to War in Vietnam in the late 1960s- the book heats up again. It's a quick morsel- but it's a nice little story with a few cool nuggets for Cold War readers
Bushong keeps the Adult themes to a minimum and the graphic passages as well- mindful that he wanted a book for a Junior reader about 9 or 10 years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast- lots of cool background detail. I'm not sure about the Gamer, as WWII bomber raid games are rare, but the Modeler gets a lot of Diorama ideas from training to Cold War, and the Enthusiast learns a lot about the Logistical underpinnings for Modern Jet Warfare. This may not be part of the WWII/Cold War Canon, but it's one of those great little books that fill in the knowledge and story gaps between the classics. A good recommendation for a charming tome.
November 5, 2017
This book is about my friend’s grandfather! What an amazing man! WWII veteran, and career officer in the USAF! My friend found out that I loved to read war history... so her amazing granddad sent me a signed copy of his book!!! I zipped thought this short, but informative book! I loved reading about his adventures in WWII, the Cold War, Cuban Missile Crisis, Korea, Vietnam, and retirement! The only thing better than reading these stories would be to hear them in person, maybe one day I will get that opportunity! Great Saturday read!
April 30, 2020
What a incredible life & story! We met this 97 year old at Pima Air Museum & his war stories were incredible!
One of the last true Americans heroes of that era that saw action in WWII as a B-17 pilot as a 20 year old something & then on to Vietnam much older!
Easy read & very touching, fortunate to have survived through 2 war scenarios & live a ripe old age to talk about it as a volunteer at the PAM as he approaches 100! Wow!
One of the last true Americans heroes of that era that saw action in WWII as a B-17 pilot as a 20 year old something & then on to Vietnam much older!
Easy read & very touching, fortunate to have survived through 2 war scenarios & live a ripe old age to talk about it as a volunteer at the PAM as he approaches 100! Wow!
July 22, 2018
I met the author on Thursday at the Pima Air and Space Museum. He feels they treat him like a relic. At 95, he is truly a priceless link to another time. Fortunately, he has left us with this story of heroism and sacrifice, a story of three wars, a personal history of the United States Air Force, and a cache of memories that are disappearing with the passing of our greatest generation. This book is for aviation geeks, history buffs and students of management and leadership.
April 20, 2024
So appreciated this authors sharing of his WWII and career experiences. What an amazing man. This helped me better understand my dad’s experiences in B 17s. Wished I had asked him more!
August 21, 2025
Had the privilege of meeting the author and he visited quite a while with my kids (at the Pima Air and Space museum). He is a true American hero!
April 14, 2020
I had the great pleasure of meeting Col Bushong at the 390th museum at Pima earlier this month. His stories of flying B-17s out of England were incredible and I thoroughly enjoyed his book. I hope my memory is equally as good as his when I’m his age.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews