The 3rd Greatest Fighter Pilot [Hardcover]

William T. Creech (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2005

This Book is a story of the life and times of a professional Fighter pilot. Where did he come from? What are the early life experiences that effected his abilities and capabilities to be a Great Fighter Pilot? What characteristics of a person and his experiences are important in becoming a leader of men and of becoming a superb fighter pilot? Why does this fighter pilot relegate himself to being the Third Best Fighter Pilot, rather than the first best? What is it like to be shot down in the jungles of North Burma, alone and with no help toward survival other than his own will? And later in that combat tour, how does one manage survival in the unending expanse of the Gobi Desert? What are the pressures that are forced upon the leader of a combat fighter squadron? How does he maintain a high morale in a unit when there are few positive factors available to assist? How are political pressures dealt with on a day to day basis? This book is a MUST READ for any young commander of fighter pilots. It's also a great read for those who are just interested in the subject of flying. The author's answers to all these questions are studies in perseverance, loyalty, dedication, and intense desire to do what many others would find impossible.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (August 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420844725
• ISBN-13: 978-1420844726
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,502,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The CBI is the next "trendy" topic amongs historians - get a jump on them here!, September 3, 2005

By 

Wily (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The 3rd Greatest Fighter Pilot (Hardcover)

Past the "Flying Tigers," the CBI (China-Burma-India) theater of operations is not as well-known as the European, African and Pacific theaters.

It's easy to understand why - the CBI was not glamorous. It was hot, damp, dirty - think Vietnam.

Bill Creech was a fighter pilot with the 311th Fighter Group. The missions he and his colleagues flew were long, dangerous affairs that supported ground operations. There were no swirling dogfights - just boring into bullets and shrapnel with delicate (yes, delicate) liquid-cooled P-51 Mustangs.

Shot down twice over jungle and desert, Bill's rescue efforts were self-directed. His pragmatic style reflects the focus and determination required to live, fly and survive in a "forgotten" environment.

One might expect that a man who's cheated death could be cold and self-important. Not so with Bill - the "1st" and "2nd" Greatest Fighter Pilots may be a reassuring and inspiring surprise to the reader.

This book is worthy of the library of any student of Leadership or history.