I Always Wanted to Fly: America’s Cold War Airmen

by Wolfgang W.E. Samuel

Until now, no book has covered all of Cold War air combat in the words of the men who waged it. In I Always Wanted to Fly , retired United States Air Force Colonel Wolfgang W. E. Samuel has gathered first-person memories from heroes of the cockpits and airstrips. Battling in dogfights when jets were novelties, saving lives in grueling airlifts, or flying dangerous reconnaissance missions deep into Soviet and Chinese airspace, these flyers waged America's longest and most secretively conducted air war. Many of the pilots Samuel interviewed invoke the same sentiment when asked why they risked their lives in the air--"I always wanted to fly." While young, they were inspired by barnstormers, by World War I fighter legends, by the legendary Charles Lindbergh, and often just by seeing airplanes flying overhead. With the advent of World War II, many of these dreamers found themselves in cockpits soon after high school. Of those who survived World War II, many chose to continue following their dream, flying the Berlin Airlift, stopping the North Korean army during the "forgotten war" in Korea, and fighting in the Vietnam War. Told in personal narratives and reminiscences, I Always Wanted to Fly renders views from pilots' seats and flight decks during every air combat flashpoint from 1945--1968. Drawn from long exposure to the immense stress of warfare, the stories these warriors share are both heroic and historic. The author, a veteran of many secret reconnaissance missions, evokes individuals and scenes with authority and grace. He provides clear, concise historical context for each airman's memories. In I Always Wanted to Fly he has produced both a thrilling and inspirational acknowledgment of personal heroism and a valuable addition to our documentation of the Cold War.

Genres: Aviation, Military History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, History

363 pages, Hardcover

First published August 21, 2001

About the author

Wolfgang W.E. Samuel is a German-born American author. He was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC at the University of Colorado and is a graduate of the National War College. He served in the U.S. Air Force for thirty years until his retirement in 1985 as a colonel. His writing has been published in several military journals, including Parameters, the U.S. Army War College quarterly. He lives in Fairfax, Virginia.

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

not the book for me, felt obligated to read it. Would've probably enjoyed it more as an audiobook.

[G Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

a really great compendium from the guys who were there.

[Chad Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Wolfgang Samuel gives readers something few, if any, authors have regarding a comprehensive and thrilling first-hand account stories of the hero Airmen who flew in ‘combat’ during the Cold War years between 1945 and ‘68. Young men born in the early 20th century who flew in WWII would go on to fly in the Berlin Airlift, Korea, and/or Vietnam. Despite the ‘Cold’ moniker, their missions would be every bit hot as they engaged in dogfighting, reconnaissance, bombing and other types of combat missions over Korea, Laos, Vietnam, China and other contested airspace. These were true heroes, many earning multiple Air Medals and Distinguished Flying Crosses, as well as Silver Stars, Air Force Crosses and Medals of Honor. They flew with tremendous courage and bravery with one common thread uniting them all—they all always wanted to fly! Samuel himself was a veteran of dozens of secret reconnaissance missions, and thus his easy and engaging narrative puts readers right in the very aircraft of the heroes he interviewed.

[Smellsofbikes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firsthand accounts of US strategic and tactical flying between WWII and the end of Vietnam, including some excellent stories and material. One thing that particularly struck me, reading this, was the assurance by everyone involved, including the author, that massive repeated overflights of the USSR were necessary and justified to ensure the security of the USA, with absolutely no thought at all that if the USSR had been doing the same thing we would've considered it an act of war. (Every time I read about the behavior of the USA during the Cold War I'm amazed the USSR responded so carefully and nonconfrontationally to our overt and covert provocation.)

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting compilation of US Cold War pilots memoirs, from the days of the Berlin Airlift to Vietnam. Some very interesting stories here, some very unusual, first spy flights over the USSR, night interdiction in Korea, and B-57 Canberra flights during Vietnam. Military aviation fans wont be disappointed.

[Paul Kinzer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is primarily a collection of narratives from pilots and navigators who flew during the Cold War. While providing an interesting insight into the missions and the fliers, the writing is sparse and pretty dry. There's no continuity between any of the narratives, so it can be put down for long periods, and picked up to read about the next airman.