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Ghostrider One
Commander Jim "Hog" Hogan, U.S. Navy has signed on for his second tour of duty in Vietnam, aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Shiloh as executive officer of an A-4 Skyhawk attack squadron. The unit is in disarray, and it's up to Hogan to renew their confidence, for they're about to undertake a rescue mission that will test their skill and courage like never before...
Deep in the highlands near the DMZ and Laos, Hogan's buddy, Marine aviator Major Dick Averitt, is trapped with his fellow marines in a little bit of hell on earth called Khe Sanh. The North Vietnamese Tet Offensive has begun, and there is but one hope for the American's survival: Operation Niagara. Through the screaming, tracer streaked skies, Hogan's A-4 Skyhawks and the U.S.S. Shiloh's F-4 Phantoms must lay down a carpet of death surrounding the combat base. Plunging into the heat, the acrid smoke, and the ear-numbing roar of battle, Hogan and his men move from terror to exhilaration and back again. And while the mission is fueled by fear, loyalty and adrenaline, success will turn on the strength of the American brotherhood of arms, transforming a few proud men into warrior-heroes.
Deep in the highlands near the DMZ and Laos, Hogan's buddy, Marine aviator Major Dick Averitt, is trapped with his fellow marines in a little bit of hell on earth called Khe Sanh. The North Vietnamese Tet Offensive has begun, and there is but one hope for the American's survival: Operation Niagara. Through the screaming, tracer streaked skies, Hogan's A-4 Skyhawks and the U.S.S. Shiloh's F-4 Phantoms must lay down a carpet of death surrounding the combat base. Plunging into the heat, the acrid smoke, and the ear-numbing roar of battle, Hogan and his men move from terror to exhilaration and back again. And while the mission is fueled by fear, loyalty and adrenaline, success will turn on the strength of the American brotherhood of arms, transforming a few proud men into warrior-heroes.
482 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 4, 2022
Ghostrider One is an excellent tale of carrier Naval Aviation, and Marine courage on the Battles of Khe Sanh Combat Bases [n 1968. Involving carrier operations in realistic stories of pilots, and leaders, forward air operators, and the marines defending Khe Sanh. A side story oh the North Vietnam General leading the assult gives another insight of the Tet Offensive Uprising also in that country. A very good read by Gerry Carroll.
May 2, 2018
This is another good book about the Air War in Vietnam and one about the US Marines hard fought battle at Khe Sanh. I could not put the book down. It is worth the read. Enjoy.
January 6, 2014
Commander Jim Hogan arrives aboard USS Shiloh in early 1968 for his second tour of duty, as XO of an A-4 squadron. The first half of the book has Hogan trying to restore his units confidence after suffering under a CO who micromanages them to death and the standard Navy boys letting off steam section in Singapore. The second half of the book deals with Hogan taking command of the squadron and his friend Marine Major Dick Averitt during the Siege of Khe Sanh.
Well Averitt acts as a Forward Air Controller on the ground, Hogan and the Shiloh's pilots take part in Operation Neptune (the air support effort for Khe Sanh)as the NVA tightens its grip.
Not as good as Carroll's first effort, Ghostrider One seems to meander a bit, suffering from a lack of focus. Carroll's airborne scenes remain as gripping as ever but the lack of focus tells in the second half. The big question of whether Hogan will restore the squadrons confidence in itself is lost in favor of Averitt learning how to be a Marine all over again. Still for a sophomore effort it's not bad. If nothing else Carroll's passion for flying comes through load and clear.
Sidenote: I liked the asides with "the little North Vietnamese General" (presumably Vo Nguyen Giap) they worked a lot better than North SARs aside to near maniacal villain types.
Well Averitt acts as a Forward Air Controller on the ground, Hogan and the Shiloh's pilots take part in Operation Neptune (the air support effort for Khe Sanh)as the NVA tightens its grip.
Not as good as Carroll's first effort, Ghostrider One seems to meander a bit, suffering from a lack of focus. Carroll's airborne scenes remain as gripping as ever but the lack of focus tells in the second half. The big question of whether Hogan will restore the squadrons confidence in itself is lost in favor of Averitt learning how to be a Marine all over again. Still for a sophomore effort it's not bad. If nothing else Carroll's passion for flying comes through load and clear.
Sidenote: I liked the asides with "the little North Vietnamese General" (presumably Vo Nguyen Giap) they worked a lot better than North SARs aside to near maniacal villain types.
March 16, 2014
good story well written. i feel like i knew these characters in vietnam.
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April 5, 2015a re read of an excellent book from years ago-just as good the second time
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews