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Triple Sticks: Tales of a Few Young Men in the 1960s
This memoir reads like fiction. The author assures us it is not!Three years before they came together, four young American men left their fraternities and college campuses for an adventure exceeding their imaginations. Wanting something more than the draft and unknown to each other, they chose Naval Aviation as the next step in their lives. Generally, they were better than their navy peers, all qualifying for high performance aircraft to be flown from steel decks over foreign seas. They would become the pointy end of the stick in aerial battles over North Vietnam, the most heavily defended patch of real estate in the history of aerial warfare. They were to do this in 1967, the year in which Naval Aviation experienced its greatest losses.These four young men, now Lieutenants Junior Grade, United States Navy, were ordered to Attack Squadron 34 to fly A4 Skyhawks into combat. They were assigned Junior Officer's stateroom 0111 aboard USS Intrepid, a venerable aircraft carrier with a distinguished history. This "bunkroom" better known to them as Triple Sticks was the repository for a log (in navy terms) or journal written by these four young aviators. Forty years later this log was the genesis of this memoir.In the lethal environment over the northern reaches of North Vietnam or ashore in the Officer's clubs and bars of Asia, the writing brings to life wonderful humor, bizarre behavior, vivid aerial battles, uncommon loyalty, anger, frustration and respect. One survived or did not according to his skill and luck.
- GenresHistoryMilitary Fiction
430 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2010
68 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 27, 2024
I was inspired to read this after seeing a storyboard at the USS Intrepid Museum in NYC honoring the "Triple Sticks." Four Navy A-4 pilots in Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34) aboard Intrepid (CV-11) in 1967 shared Stateroom 0111 (triple sticks) and a diary in which each wrote about the banal and the scary, including combat missions over Vietnam. The diary hasn't been published, but this memoir by a member of that quartet surely captures its spirit. It was fascinating to read and somewhat relatable, having shared a four-man stateroom aboard USS Midway (CV-41) with three Navy A-7 pilots in VA-93 from 1984 to 1986 during two cruises to the Indian Ocean. Though they weren't flying combat missions, the descriptions of life in a Naval Aviation squadron aboard an aircraft carrier were similar to my own experiences. Would highly recommend it for those seeking insights into naval aviation in general and flying in combat in particular. I look forward to donating this book to the USS Midway Museum.
"It must be mentioned that no one backed down from his assigned duty, his strike or his target. There was plenty of fear, but there was offsetting courage. At this point in the war in Southeast Asia, we all believed in our purpose. Our assigned commanders had their insufficiencies, but morally they kept their place at the head of the line. They showed, and to the best of their ability, they led." p383
"It must be mentioned that no one backed down from his assigned duty, his strike or his target. There was plenty of fear, but there was offsetting courage. At this point in the war in Southeast Asia, we all believed in our purpose. Our assigned commanders had their insufficiencies, but morally they kept their place at the head of the line. They showed, and to the best of their ability, they led." p383
October 10, 2018
Slow Read
I thought there was a lot of discussion about the non flying part of the missions. I would prefer reading more about what was happening in the cockpit and the sights they were too destroy. I want to say I have much respect for anyone who has served in the armed forces and even more for any who fought the wars. Thank You!
I thought there was a lot of discussion about the non flying part of the missions. I would prefer reading more about what was happening in the cockpit and the sights they were too destroy. I want to say I have much respect for anyone who has served in the armed forces and even more for any who fought the wars. Thank You!
March 25, 2020
A good account of what the life of a A4 Skyhawk pilot in combat is like and also how they lived it.
As a Marine A4 pilot with 2 tours in Vietnam and over 400 missions this novel gives a good idea of what we had to live with. I felt that his description of leaders was very accurate. His analysis of how the war was being run by our politicians I agree with 100 percent.
As a Marine A4 pilot with 2 tours in Vietnam and over 400 missions this novel gives a good idea of what we had to live with. I felt that his description of leaders was very accurate. His analysis of how the war was being run by our politicians I agree with 100 percent.
May 27, 2021
True
This bok is well written in an very day venaccular showing how true hero's fought and died because our leaders were idiots. This is much like today when cheating slowed an idiot in the office of President because politicians have become too powerful. There's men gave their lives for a country that they believed in run by idiots. Great read and truthful.
This bok is well written in an very day venaccular showing how true hero's fought and died because our leaders were idiots. This is much like today when cheating slowed an idiot in the office of President because politicians have become too powerful. There's men gave their lives for a country that they believed in run by idiots. Great read and truthful.
November 10, 2022
Riveting Flights against NVA
I liked the fact the author on many occasions recognized the team of Sailors supporting the many missions over Nam. Amazing tales of encounters with Soviet weaponry against Americas menial and dated equipment. If we learned anything from Man it has been to come to the fight better prepared.
I liked the fact the author on many occasions recognized the team of Sailors supporting the many missions over Nam. Amazing tales of encounters with Soviet weaponry against Americas menial and dated equipment. If we learned anything from Man it has been to come to the fight better prepared.
March 17, 2017
Awesome read.
Being Marine aviation plane captain, I could fully relate to this book. I highly recommend this book. The political explanation at the end of the book was exceptional.
Being Marine aviation plane captain, I could fully relate to this book. I highly recommend this book. The political explanation at the end of the book was exceptional.
May 25, 2022
Memories
Although I was a Marine A4 pilot in (South) Viet Nam, the memories of training and squadron ops were very similar...the description of humor, antics, 'leadership', political handcuffs on tactics, etc. was right on. Great story!
Although I was a Marine A4 pilot in (South) Viet Nam, the memories of training and squadron ops were very similar...the description of humor, antics, 'leadership', political handcuffs on tactics, etc. was right on. Great story!
July 29, 2019
Good story
Good story. Told a lot about life on aircraft carrier, and young pulleys learning the ropes. Lots of action and laughs
Good story. Told a lot about life on aircraft carrier, and young pulleys learning the ropes. Lots of action and laughs
June 17, 2025
An excellent story of young men at war; too young to know better, fear overcome by courage. It was a privilege to learn about and get to know these men.
May 6, 2016
Super
Written by a master story / history teller . He writes with humor and sadness but above all with recounted honor. The smells, tastes and indeed visions of people, places and things leap from the page. The love and brotherhood of fellow aviators is made evident. His description of dinner in Tokyo transported me to places I remember. A masterful book and a must read for anyone interested in Naval Aviation during Vietnam.
Written by a master story / history teller . He writes with humor and sadness but above all with recounted honor. The smells, tastes and indeed visions of people, places and things leap from the page. The love and brotherhood of fellow aviators is made evident. His description of dinner in Tokyo transported me to places I remember. A masterful book and a must read for anyone interested in Naval Aviation during Vietnam.
December 23, 2016
One of the best books I have read on Navy aviation. Author Fipp is eloquent and descriptive relating stories of men at war and flying off an aircraft carrier. He captures the character and emotions of men who share great challenges under intense pressure in a no-win war. Also the details of Navy flight training, air and carrier operations.
March 16, 2016
Excellent
Very good read . To the best of my memory, historically accurate. I would recommend that anyone with an interest in the naval war read.
Very good read . To the best of my memory, historically accurate. I would recommend that anyone with an interest in the naval war read.
August 23, 2016
Outstanding!
A great book Mr. Fipp. You tell the story like no one else can. Thanks for taking us along on your lifetime experience.
A great book Mr. Fipp. You tell the story like no one else can. Thanks for taking us along on your lifetime experience.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews