100 Missions North: A Fighter Pilot's Story of the Vietnam War

Product Details

In 100 Missions North, Ken Bell recounts the harrowing sorties that he and his comrades flew in F-105 Thunderchiefs-the famous "Thud"-in 1966-67, when pilots faced a 50 percent loss rate. What was it like to face these odds day after day? We learn that men sustained by faith in each other and joined by the unique bonds of combat can overcome anxiety, fear, and even terror to achieve common goals.

Customer Reviews ::

100 Mission North--A Fighter Pilot's Story of the Vietnam War - Richard B. Kerwin - Spring Hill, FL
General Bell writes of his tour during Operation Rolling Thunder. As a Major at the time, he was more than a "line jock" in that he had additional duties at Wing Headquarters. His perspective adds the description of that environment to the perspective of a line jock trying put bombs on target and, at the same time, trying to live through a tour of duty of 100 Missions over North Vietnam. He describes both in gut wrenching terms that reflect the reality these men faced at the time. His views give real insight into how screwed things can be when there is micro management from higher up and no real objective of winning. The real lessons of Vietnam can only be learned if people read books like General Bell's.