Customer Reviews

The First Hellcat Ace

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Professional writer Jay Stout and WWII air ace extraordinaire, CDR Hamilton McWhorter III (USN Ret) have captured a great piece of personal history in their non-fictional book, "The First Hellcat Ace." This is truly one of the all time greatest stories of U.S. Naval aviation history. The authors take us along as we follow a young Hamilton go through his training (During the time of Pearl Harbor) and off on his battles over North Africa against the Vichy French and in the Pacific against the Japanese.

This is not just a story of how one man becomes the first air ace in a Hellcat Fighter but it deals with accounts of other men from "Fighting Squadron 9." These were America's best young men who fought in the skies above the likes of Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Tarawa Atoll among other places. They risked their lives daily in air to air combat and from hostile ground and ship fire.

There is much depth to the story telling as we get to look at McWhorter's experiences as he reflects back on those days during the war. It is told as if it had just recently happened. The writing style is easy to read and follow and creates great excitement. It also gives us a more personal view of the men and what their lives were like. This book is suitable for most all readers.

If you enjoy aviation, or naval war stories, history, or just like to read about heroes, then this is the book for you. This is an important book that needs to be discovered by young Americans looking for old fashioned heroes. Commander McWhorter is the real McCoy and it would be good to honor him and others like himself before the Greatest Generation becomes just a memory. But when they do, I hope that this book will still be there casting long shadows over future generations.

Given the MWSA's Highest Rating of Five Stars!

With the assistance of professional writer Jay A. Stout, Hamilton McWhorter has written an informative and compelling memoir of his experiences in World War II, beginning with his status as a naval aviation cadet undergoing training when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. McWhorter earned his Wings of gold in early 1942 and as Ensign McWhorter trained to be a fighter pilot on an outmoded F3F wildcat. He first saw combat during November 1942 in North African against the Vichy French. Upon returning stateside, McWhorter and his VF-o unite converted to the new Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters and from mid-1943 was constantly engaged in deadly aerial warfare against Imperial Japanese forces. He became the first ace in the Hellcat during the action off Tarawa Atoll in November 1943, and seven subsequent victories ensured his place in the annals of air-to-air combat. The First Hellcat Ace is a vividly told, informatively presented, thoroughly engaging military biography from first page to last -- and highly recommended reading for all World War II military and aviation history buffs.

Well written, honest and easy to read - this is the kind of book that gets dusted off every year or so and re-read.

This is truly a most enjoyable book! Written with honesty and clarity of thought, it is an excellent window into the mind of an exceptional man in extraordinary circumstances.

It is a far cry from the all too common "hooray for me" war memoirs... the authors recount the exhilaration of victory, but along side it is the fear, the frustration, the loss.

It flows easily and logically and reads very well. It might not be the best WWII flying memoir I've ever read, but it isn't far below the mark. If you are interested in the era and its participants you WILL enjoy this book!

I found The First Hellcat Ace to be a thoroughly enjoyable chronicle of Hamilton McWhorter's experiences in World War II. The book reads well and the story is engaging, providing a balanced view of his personal and professional life as a Naval aviator. The deprivations of shipboard life, the risks of combat, and the pain of separation from loved ones provide a solid foundation for "One-Slug" McWhorter's story.

I really enjoyed this book. I this is the first book I have read that dealt with the naval air cover provided during Operation Torch, I knew carriers were envolved but have never seen or heard anything about what they did. I also found it very interesting on the amount of training they did prior to going into combat and how much the author loved the Hellcat. I can identify with the section concerning his new bride, somwhat the same thing happened to me. I found it very interesting on how the author dealt with lost friends and how many of them died from accidents as opposed to enemy action. Overall this is an outstanding book about a subject that has gotten very little attention.