Customer Reviews

The Jolly Rogers: The Story of Tom Blackburn and Navy Fighting Squadron VF-17

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
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As an avid student of WWII combat aviation, I don't think a book has ever thrilled me as much as THE JOLLY ROGERS. Tom Blackburn's writing style is easy and effective, especially in conveying the emotions and excitement of close engagement with enemy fighters. The books traces Blackburn's inauspicious debut in Operation TORCH to his glory days as CO of Fighting 17, with stories that are often as moving and tragic as they are exhilarating. Two sections of the book feature numerous photographs of the men and machines of the squadron, as well as detailed maps of the Solomons combat arena. I think I've read this book 3 times in its entirety and I still frequently read select passages just as refresher. I couldn't recommend it more highly. Tom Blackburn remains, even after his passing a few years ago, a true American hero; often frightened, sometimes arrogant, far from perfect, but always devoted to duty and able to stare death in the face and come away better for it.

Talk about the F4U Corsair and a name comes to mind; Greg Boyington and his Black Sheep. This will be true until you read the story of the VF-17 seen through the eyes of its CO Tommy Blackburn. Even thou the Black Sheep were outrageous, the performance record and unorthodox behaviors of the Jolly Rogers breaks the typical Navy ironed reputation. Loved by his pilots and feared by his enemies, Blackburn and his VF-17 changed the air war tactics utilizing creative new formation and attack schemes that baffled the enemy. A must to read by any F4U enthusiast and a credit to the camaraderie and leadership of a great american warrior.

With help from Eric Hammell, the late Blackburn (he died in 1994) wrote a marvellous book, well researched and personal, citing all the pilots from VF-17 and their story after the war. The action sequences are fantastic, and makes the reader feels like he was aboard one of the fighters. One of the best ever written.

I served under Capt. Blackburn on the USS Midway during the late 1950's. His historical account of his world war 2 naval squadron makes me proud to have known his superb leadership. This man is one of a kind for all times and was never credited fully for his absoulute heroic efforts during the campaign to defeat the Japanese. the book is a must for any aviation buffs, Bob Heath

I thought the book was very good both in content and detail. He gave details that aren' usually in books about WWII that have to do with the daily operations of a fighter squadron. I served under Capt. Blackburn in 1957-1959 when he was commanding officer of the aircraft carrier MIDWAY CVA-41 and he was the same kind of skipper then. He always had time for talking with the crew and was a "sailors captain" For anyone who wants to know about the day to day life of a fighter

squadron in the early days of WWII this is the book to have.

I enjoyed this rich account of one of our great air combat leaders of WWII. Tom Blackburn understood the concept of teamwork and proved it against the Japenese in the Pacific. I felt like I was with him as he was fighting for his country, his men, and his beliefs. His forsight and determination brought out feelings of pride in me I never thought a book could. After reading his story, I wanted to shake his hand and say thanks!!

This book has a very personal significance for me. My late grandfather, "Sunny" Jim Halford, was one of the senior pilots in the VF-17. He never talked much about the war, but this book gave me some real insight into his role in WWII, and how his experiences made him into the man I knew and loved.

I couldn't put the book down. It seemed to have just the right amount of detail.

I wish I could thank Capt. Blackburn for writing this book.

A fast paced, well written account of the career of Tom Blackburn. The main part of the book deals with the air war over the Northern Solomon Islands in 1943. Blackburn, in command of a Corsair squadron, was operating out of land bases rather than aboard a carrier. The book gives an exciting account of the squadron in action without going overboard on details. It is of interest to World War II fans as well as those interested in aviation. Well done all the way around!

a highly readable account of the career of tom blackburn. Special detail on the air war in the northern solomons with Blackburn's fighter squadron. Gives plenty of details with out getting bogged down; fast reading but with plenty of insights into the air war and good descriptions that put the reader right in the cockpit on missions. Pair with "Once they Were Eagles" by Frank Walton and you have an excellent picture of a slice of World War II history as well as aviation history. Highly readable!

This is a fabulous book, which provides many insights into the aerial war in the Pacific and Tommy Blackburn's leadership style.

By selecting the name Jolly Rogers for VF-17, his fighter squadron of F4U Corsairs, Blackburn signaled his vision for his team. They were to be daring, adventurous and aggressive in bringing the fight to the enemy. He worked them hard, trained them even harder but allowed them to play hard as well when off duty.

His squadron quickly became legendary by shooting down 154 Japanese planes in 2 combat tours totaling 76 days. This record surpassed even Pappy Boyington and his famous Black Sheep Squadron.

In addition to some spellbinding passages of aerial combat, Blackburn chronicles the early problems landing Corsairs on carriers and how they overcame that as well as some novel tactics to draw the Japanese out to fight; something they became reluctant to do when they know The Jolly Rogers were in the area.

Fully indexed with some good maps and a few photographs, this book is a must read for anyone interested in aerial combat in the Pacific and some of the heroes that achieved American air supremacy.

John E Nevola
Author of The Last Jump - A Novel of World War II