Taking Command: America's Unsung Military Leaders, Innovators, and Difference Makers Since World War II

by Thomas D. Phillips

Beyond the pantheon of Patton, Eisenhower, MacArthur, and Nimitz lies an untold story of military genius — the innovative commanders who stepped from their shadows to shape modern warfare from the Cold War to the War on Terror. From the general who made the impossible Berlin Airlift succeed to the mastermind behind the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, Taking Command unveils the remarkable stories of twenty-four unsung military leaders who transformed America's fighting forces. These commanders didn't just execute orders— they revolutionized warfare through innovation, unconventional thinking, and sheer determination. Through portraits of these exceptional leaders, readers will How "Tonnage Tunner" moved 1.8 million tons of supplies during the Berlin Airlift The Marine general whose controversial Vietnam tactics cost him his career but proved prescient How Admiral McRaven's leadership principles extend far beyond his famous "make your bed" speech The untold story behind the "Be All You Can Be" commander who later led the Panama invasion Written by retired Air Force veteran Thomas Phillips, this compelling narrative serves both as a vital missing chapter in American military history and a masterclass in leadership under pressure. For anyone fascinated by military strategy or seeking to understand the qualities of exceptional leadership, Taking Command offers unprecedented access to the minds of America's most innovative military commanders.

320 pages, Hardcover

Published September 2, 2025

Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

💫Looking back on US military activity since WWII, there are certain heroic leader names that leap to the memory’s forefront. However, there were others who played pivotal leadership roles at the time that are, for various reasons, lesser known. Thomas Phillips diligently dug into historic records, contacted noted military historians and repositories and ‘got the skinny’ on this venerable crowd so he might shine the light on them in Taking Command for readers to appreciate at last.

🦅Phillips couldn’t have started his bios in a better place. After the informative introduction for the direction and background of the book, then the good overview of the war period- Cold War, he introduced the situation and the man who ‘had it to do’. General Tunner who organized “The Hump” cargo runs from India to China over the Himilayas during WWII and then his star was never brighter than making the Berlin Airlift happen. ✈️ Air Force cargo and logistics were where my folks served until retirement so Tunner’s bio resonated with me right away.

🦅✈️Of course, I had to tune in closely after the Korean War section when Taking Command arrived at Vietnam and the Tet Offensive because my dad was a vet as were the uncles, all in different arms of the service. Another fly boy got the honors first and I enjoyed the details of how the flamboyant wing commander, Robin Olds, reorganized the fighter wing and went tactical on the North Koreans to devastating results with his Operation Bolo trap. He chafed under West Point regs and liked to go it his own way- and this made him the right man for the job when the time came.

🪖Grenada was a conflict I knew little about though I remember it on the news and my folks discussing it. What fun to discover a familiar name tucked into the bios under this section. And, I still have my pristine deck of Gulf War cards with the picture of General Normal Scharzkopf. He worked ground operations in Urgent Fury which allowed the governor and American students to be evacuated as well as got the Marines in place to help the pinned down SEALs.

🪖Panama, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Global War on Terror… all brought insightful moments when leaders stepped up and got it done. I said to myself over and over, ‘how did I not know about this person?’ They did crucial work. I got the shivers a few times at just how instrumental they really were.

💫And, so Taking Command was a good overview of US Military History while distinguishing twenty-four men who came through the crucible of war, succeeding at their appointed tasks. The last several pages are a treasure trove of additional resources for each book section to explore in further reading.

I enjoyed Thomas D Phillips’ writing style that even a non-scholar like myself could appreciate the subject matter as well as his concise way of marrying a variety of facts of military service and personal tidbits so his subjects were fully-fledged people-stories. Definitely recommend, particularly to Military History fans.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

*I rec'd a free print copy from Crooked Lane Books to read in exchange for an honest review.

My full review will post at my Instagram page @sophiarose1816 on 10.23.25.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I write this review it is the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. We talk about the greatest generation, the men and women who fought the battles and those who kept the home front safe. While we know the names of many of the men in command, many of us don’t know a lot about them (If you are in central Texas, you better go to the Museum of the Pacific War, in Nemitz’ old home).

This was fascinating book. I see myself reading it again to see what information I missed.

Thank you NetGalley & Stackpole Books for an advanced reader copy. #TakingCommand #NetGalley