From the Cockpit: Coming of Age in the Korean War [Hardcover]

Tex Atkinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2004

An autobiography of a naval aviator who flew over 100 combat missions in the Korean War. Tex Atkinson flew F4U Corsairs and AD Skyraiders. He served on the USS Princeton and USS Boxer.

An important contribution to the history of naval aviation with detailed and often chilling accounts of combat flying during the Korean War and of straight-deck carrier operations during that time. Includes excellent descriptions of the flying characteristics (and hazards) of the Corsair and Skyraider.

Also a very human story with accounts of the author's growing up years in Hillsboro, Texas and his attendance at Southwestern University. There is an interesting account of a Willie Nelson concert to benefit the restoration of the Hill County courthouse which burned to the ground and was completely rebuilt to look like the original.

Book includes two photo sections (32 pages total) of excellent personal and naval aviation photography.

This is a much expanded and much higher quality edition than the paperback edition published by Publish America. DO NOT CONFUSE THE TWO. There is little comparison.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Tex Atkinson writes from the heart. It's like being enveloped in a wonderful spell. ...a must read - highly recommended!" -- Joe Weber, New York Times best-selling author and former Marine carrier pilot

Tex writes from the heart. A must read. Highly recommended -- Joe Weber, New York Times best-selling author

From the Publisher

"From the Cockpit, Coming of Age in the Korean War" and is written by a Texas native, Tex Atkinson. This is an autobiography. Tex grew up in Hillsboro, just north of Waco. After WWII he joined the Navy and became a carrier pilot. He soon found himself involved in the Korean War in which he flew over 100 combat missions. He flew mostly dive bomber, attack aircraft.

His book is full of great flying stories and of gut-wrenching accounts of fellow aviators and friends losing their lives in combat. It is also a book of sweet memories of his youth in Hillsboro, his college years at Southwestern, his joy of flying, his family and close friends.

Not much has been written about the Korean War, particularly the part played in the war by carrier based aircraft. Tex and his fellow pilots would fly just feet off the ground to bomb or strafe enemy positions only a few hundred yards from our soldiers. They would also dive bomb enemy targets through intense antiaircraft fire in order to destroy North Korean supply depots, factories, railroad facilities, bridges, and hydroelectric dams. Tex lost close friends on such missions.

This is a war book written with great sensitivity and feeling - a book that is largely about life and the value of friends and family. It is an unusual war book in that it can be read and enjoyed by women. We have asked several women to read it, with good results.

This is a hardback book with full cloth binding. It is beautifully designed and made of quality materials. It has 272 pages, 32 of which are photos.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: John M. Hardy Publishing Co.; First Edition edition (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971766746
• ISBN-13: 978-0971766747
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,466,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommend, July 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: From the Cockpit: Coming of Age in the Korean War (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book to anyone who really wants to know what it was like for someone in the Korean War. It is easy to read and you feel like you are right there with him. Excellent!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Personal Story Of A Personal War, June 29, 2009

By 

Robert I. Hedges - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From the Cockpit: Coming of Age in the Korean War (Hardcover)

In "From the Cockpit" Tex Atkinson paints a vivid portrait of his life, with the focus on his youth spent as a Navy attack pilot in Korea. Atkinson discusses his biographical background in a flowing and interesting manner which serves to put the aviation component in a better perspective than if he had simply told about his flying adventures. The Korean War is sadly overlooked today, overshadowed by the victory of World War Two, and the tragedy of Vietnam. Korea was a conflict never really resolved: it took thousands of lives and ended exactly where it started with no net gain for either side. Unfortunately the lack of decisive victory in the 1950's is causing ever more dire situations on the peninsula today.

Tex Atkinson details his aviation career, and focuses on his stint flying F4U Corsairs and AD (A-1) Skyraiders, mostly the latter. As a pilot I have always felt the Corsair was the most graceful aircraft of its era (possibly of all time), and had heard that it was a wonderful aircraft to fly, although unforgiving especially at low speeds. Mr. Atkinson reinforces those preconceptions and vividly conveys the challenge of flying the Corsair, and especially of bringing it aboard the carrier. In contrast I always viewed the Skyraider as a brute force aircraft; unglamorous, but tough. In that regard Mr. Atkinson reinforced my impressions of the aircraft as a tough and capable aircraft, but also showed its true endearing qualities, notably the excellent powered flight controls, stability as a bomber, and stable landing characteristics. For this enlightenment I am grateful.

The book is easy to read, but often thought provoking, especially as he discusses the relationships he had (and has) with his squadron mates, relationships that left permanent impacts on him, despite their frequent sad brevity. Korea is an important war to study: there was much valor on display, and the decisions and mistakes made between 1950 and 1953 continue to shape the world today. For those unfamiliar with the air war over Korea, this is a great place to start. Thank you for your service, Tex!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Darn good stuff!, February 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: From the Cockpit: Coming of Age in the Korean War (Paperback)

A damn fine read! It's just like he's sitting by the grill smelling steaks and sipping martini's as he spins his tales of yesteryears!