The Jolly Rogers [Paperback]

Tom Blackburn (Author), Eric Hammel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 18, 2009

THE JOLLY ROGERS The Story of Tom Blacjburn and Navy Fighting Squadron VF-17 Tom Blackburn with Eric Hammel Introduction by Vice Admiral James Stockdale, USN (Ret.) The Jolly Rogers is the true story of one of the U.S. Navy's foremost World War II fighter squadrons, VF-17, and its charismatic commander, fighter ace Tom Blackburn. In his action-packed war memoir and unit history, Blackburn describes VF-17's intense, winning campaign against the Japanese over the northern Solomon Islands and Rabaul in late 1943 and early 1944. Beginning with his own experiences as a trainer of fighter pilots early in World War II and his leadership of a small carrier-based fighter squadron supporting the invasion of North Africa, Blackburn goes on to provide a rich, detailed account of how he shaped a crew of over-eager hotshots into one of the highest scoring fighter squadrons of World War II. In only seventy-six days of combat, Tom Blackburn's Jolly Rogers knocked down a record 154 enemy warplanes, and Blackburn himself emerged as one of VF-17's leading aces with eleven kills to his credit. Boisterous at times, and sober at others, Blackburn explains the methods he used and example he set to shape and wield VF-17 before and during its South Pacific combat tour. Not least of the challenges facing Blackburn and VF-17 was taming the hot new Vought F4U Corsair fighter. Originally slated to serve aboard a fleet aircraft carrier, VF-17 was ultimately transferred to land-based duty when the Corsair proved too hot to handle during carrier-deck landings. Though the Corsair's teething problems were worked out by others-it eventually became a superb carrier-based fighter-bomber-it was Blackburn and his Jolly Rogers who proved the full potential of the Corsair as a killer of enemy airplanes. Both a war memoir and a caring tribute to the aggressive, hold-nothing-back young men he trained and led in combat, Blackburn's story is an epic in World War II history annals. Tom Blackburn, who was preparing to lead a carrier air group into combat when World War II ended, later commanded an aircraft carrier and retired as a captain in 1962. He passed away in 1994. Eric Hammel is an acclaimed military historian with more than thirty-five books to his credit. Critical Acclaim for The Jolly Rogers Publishers Weekly says: "Blackburn was an exceptionally talented, resourceful, inspiring leader who imparted to his men a fierce warrior ethic . . . especially noteworthy is the author's straightforward description of the methods he used organizing, training, leading his pilots in combat and developing air tactics." The Shipmate says: "Tom Blackburn [was] exceptional, and so is his book." The Hook says: "Tom Blackburn [was] one of the most successful fighter squadron commanders the U.S. Navy ever produced . . . not only a cracking good story, but a valuable primer on dealing with the rugged individualists who populate naval aviation, Highly recommended." The San Diego Union says: "[This] thrilling saga focuses on unsung heroes." Stars and Stripes says: "In a book generously laced with tales of air combat, Blackburn talks of the days spent building VF-17 into an outfit with its own identity and then leading his men into combat . . . " The Naval Institute Proceedings says: "Excellent . . . a well-rounded, coherent story that focuses on intense combat . . . As a professional's account of his squadron's . . . war, Blackburn's has no peer." Kirkus Reviews says: "A macho, like-it-was memoir . . . a gritty, action-packed slice of WWII life."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Blackburn is not self-effacing about his World War II service, referring to "my fantastically successful tour" as pilot and commanding officer. Retired Admiral James Stockdale's introduction and the text itself leave no doubt that modesty in this case would be practically impossible. Blackburn was an exceptionally talented, resourceful, inspiring leader who imparted to his men a fierce warrior ethic. Equipped with F4U Corsair fighter planes, his squadron downed at least 154 Japanese planes during the 76 days they were in combat in the South Pacific. Thirteen of the "Jolly Rogers," including the author, became air aces. The book is a seemingly complete history of the squadron from its commissioning in January 1943 to its disbandment in April 1944, and what makes it especially noteworthy is the author's straight-forward description of the methods he used organizing, training, leading his pilots in combat, and developing air tactics. Clearly Blackburn knew what he wanted and how to obtain results. Photos.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

WWII History, July 2006

“The Jolly Rogers pulls no punches. It celebrates and romanticizes warfare, heroism, testosterone, and male bonding the way few books dare to do these days. The story of VF-17 reads like a guts and glory screenplay for a 1940’s morale boosting Hollywood file, yet it is all true…Be warned: The Jolly Rogers takes the reader on an adrenaline filled ride from start to finish. Better be strapped in tight.”

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Pacifica Military History (June 18, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935553673
• ISBN-13: 978-0935553673
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,771,581 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the finest books on air combat ever written, March 20, 2000

By 

Mark Rainey (Greensboro, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jolly Rogers: The Story of Tom Blackburn and the Navy Fighting Squadron Vf-17 (Hardcover)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Jolly Rogers: Tommy Blacburn and his irregulars, February 13, 2001

By 

Gonzalo Bures (Toa Baja Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jolly Rogers: The Story of Tom Blackburn and the Navy Fighting Squadron Vf-17 (Hardcover)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MARVELLOUS !, December 7, 1999

By 

M. Fonseca "carmarthen" (Thunder) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jolly Rogers: The Story of Tom Blackburn and the Navy Fighting Squadron Vf-17 (Hardcover)

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.