U.S. Marine Corps Aviation
1912 to the Present
Mersky, Peter B.
Six decades ago, over the Western Front, Marine pilots were learning the grim game of combat flying -
"Although in great pain, Robinson continued to fire his machine guns while Talbot maneuvered his aircraft to throw off the Germans' aim. Hit twice more, in the hip and stomach, Robinson finally collapsed, leaving Talbot to face the German onslaught alone. The pilot turned his DH into the German attack and shot down a fighter with his own forward firing guns ... The intrepid pair of flyers were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions that day."
In the 1990s, the Marines are still as air-minded as ever, earning a unique place for themselves in aviation history. They have always excelled in the close support of infantry. In fact, every Marine aviator has been trained to be a rifleman first. This attitude has permeated the history of Marine Corps aviation and has led to the creation of the well-trained, purpose-built combat arm that goes to sea today. Additionally, more than any other service, the U.S. Marines have been quick to adapt and exploit helicopters to assist their infantry in battle.
In this, the first history of Marine Corps aviation, Peter Mersky teils about the pilots who carried on the Marine Corps tradition of "first to fight" from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal, the Chosin Reservoir in Korea, and the ships in the Persian Gulf.
Aircraft of the Marine Corps are illustrated in this story, from the very earliest days to the present, with more than 270 rarely seen photographs and the author's own drawings.
Peter B. Mersky has written several books and many articles on U.S. military aviation. He retired from the Naval Reserve as a commander, and is now the assistant editor for Approach/Mech, the Navy's aviation safety magazine.
Hardcover with dust jacket
383 Seiten / pages
many photos
very good condition
Baltimore, Maryland - 1987 - The Nautical & Aviation Publishing Company of America
Art.Nr. 16541
