Customer Reviews

Phantom Reflections: The Education of an American Fighter Pilot in Vietnam (Praeger Security International)

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In recent years, we've seen various memoirs of Air Force F-4 and F-105 pilots who served in the Vietnam War being published. Mike McCarthy's chronicle of his time with the 433rd TFS, 8th TFW appeared in 2008, published by Praeger Security International. Though it has its share of 'yank-and-bank' action, it is also a thoughtful, literate memoir.

McCarthy's book is subtitled THE EDUCATION OF AN AMERICAN FIGHTER PILOT IN VIETNAM. He joined the 8th TFW in December 1967, a 'true believer' in the rightness of the war. At that time, USAF pilots had to fly 100 missions against North Vietnamese targets before they could rotate home. McCarthy was about halfway through his tour when LBJ, in the last of a series of wrongheaded decisions, stopped the bombing of North Vietnam. Consequently, many of McCarthy's subsequent flights were 'tree-killing' missions where actual damage to the enemy was questionable.

During his tour with the Wolfpack though, McCarthy had his share of exciting missions which he recounts in a straightforward, easy-to-understand fashion. Yet, as indicated by the book's subtitle, as the missions piled up, McCarthy began questioning the war, America's involvement and the policies/practices imposed on combat crews by Washington and brasshats. McCarthy's eventual 'Education' leads him to end the book with the statement: "I often ask myself, 'Would I do it again?'"

McCarthy's memoir is one of the more reflective Vietnam War fighter pilot memoirs I have read. There are other, more action-packed books out there, such as Jack Broughton's classic THUD RIDGE, but I enjoyed PHANTOM REFLECTIONS nevertheless. It offers a look into the make-up of a young fighter tiger who gradually realizes America's grand crusade in Vietnam ain't so grand. Recommended.

Good read.

I would recommend reading this book. It was entertaining and took me back to my days in Viet Nam (which weren't a real delight in remembering).

Having grown up during these events and going to school with many that either had been in Vietnam or where going there this was a most interesting read.