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Roger Ball!: The Odyssey of John Monroe "Hawk" Smith Navy Fighter Pilot
" Roger Ball! is a magnificent read about a great and distinguished life well lived. John Monroe Smith is a living legend in Naval an all-American boy living his dream, a dream of becoming the best fighter pilot and carrier aviator in the Navy. He succeeded in being the best in a way that only one with unbridled passion, fierce commitment, boundless energy, unconditional dedication and relentless resolve can experience."
-Ed Allen, Rear Admiral, USN (Retired) In the wake of the hard lessons of the Vietnam War, a pantheon of committed naval aviators struggled valiantly to modernize fighter aircraft and overhaul tactics. It was a seemingly titanic task marked by political intrigue, doctrinal apoplexy, and sadly, petty politics. This is the personal story of one of those naval aviators, Captain John Monroe "Hawk" Smith. It chronicles his growth as a naval officer, his seasoning as a fighter pilot, and his hardening as a commanding officer. It tells of the raw courage of naval aviators and captures the visceral loyalty, unswerving commitment, and the unsinkable camaraderie that is the brotherhood of naval aviation. Roger Ball! is a seven-g, heart-in-the-throat story of the very unforgiving profession of naval aviation.
-Ed Allen, Rear Admiral, USN (Retired) In the wake of the hard lessons of the Vietnam War, a pantheon of committed naval aviators struggled valiantly to modernize fighter aircraft and overhaul tactics. It was a seemingly titanic task marked by political intrigue, doctrinal apoplexy, and sadly, petty politics. This is the personal story of one of those naval aviators, Captain John Monroe "Hawk" Smith. It chronicles his growth as a naval officer, his seasoning as a fighter pilot, and his hardening as a commanding officer. It tells of the raw courage of naval aviators and captures the visceral loyalty, unswerving commitment, and the unsinkable camaraderie that is the brotherhood of naval aviation. Roger Ball! is a seven-g, heart-in-the-throat story of the very unforgiving profession of naval aviation.
- GenresMilitary Fiction
485 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2006
28 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 8, 2019
A stupendous account of the rigors of life on the pointy end of the spear. "Roger Ball!" lays it all down—clear, artistic renderings that allow even the non-seaworthy to smell the sea spray, experience the thrill of air combat training, and sample naval aviation at its best. Those who read "Roger Ball!" will have a far better appreciation of what Naval Aviation is all about and the contribution it has made to our great Nation.
January 6, 2019
Meticulously assembled facts describing an exceptional Naval Aviator
Tactics and dynamics of fighting a jet aircraft described flawlessly. Enjoyed greatly! Recommended for aviators particularly but nonpilots will be rewarded with a journey through rare territory. Well Done.
Tactics and dynamics of fighting a jet aircraft described flawlessly. Enjoyed greatly! Recommended for aviators particularly but nonpilots will be rewarded with a journey through rare territory. Well Done.
January 8, 2015
Surviving the Minefield
This book was not what I expected; there is no actually combat,but it is a great chronicle of how officers often have to step quickly in order not to be devoured by the military bureaucracy.
This book was not what I expected; there is no actually combat,but it is a great chronicle of how officers often have to step quickly in order not to be devoured by the military bureaucracy.
February 9, 2016
90 % boring
Very little "action" and a LOT of navy/military jargon. Probabley interesting to a fighter pilot, but he has done it himself.
Very little "action" and a LOT of navy/military jargon. Probabley interesting to a fighter pilot, but he has done it himself.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews