Final Flight - Ever!

Video thanks to Dick Strouse!

"Boy, sure brings back some memories. The sounds of those engines just gives you goose bumps. Oh, for the memories. My brother Bill sent this video to me. I have never seen it before, but it has to be the best video and sound of any I've seen, especially since this is the final landing and sound of a C-133 again. My four years on the Lead-Sled made me a real Loadmaster and groomed me for bigger and better things in my Air Force career and life. As ol' Chief Hannigan would say, 'The days of wooden ships and iron men.' And how true it was!"
........Dick Strouse, 1968-1971, 39th MAS

WW2 Unit Patches DVD

If anyone is interested in a huge collection of WWII unit patches, I have a new product. It is a DVD with 417 patches from USAAF, USN and a few USMC. Most are little known, because they are service (maintenance) units, air base units and various support squadrons. There are also plenty of fighter, bomber and transport squadrons, though not the most famous ones. The DVD has an index and each patch is in JPG and TIF format at 300 dpi and roughly 3" x 3". Some samples are shown on the C-133 web site, click on: Cal Taylor's WWII Unit Patches . It is linked through the home page, also.

I'm alspo working on a facsimile reproduction of a 150-page Douglas report on the C-132. The report gives lots of detail about how the airplane would have been equipped and on its size, features and performance. The package will include a 36 x 70 1:72 scale drawing with lots of cross sections. That should be available in the summer. The airplane would have been the C-5 of its day.

Cal Taylor

February Book of the Month

THE FIRST SALUTE:
A View of the American Revolution
By Barbara W. Tuchman
Alfred A. Knopf, New York
1988

November 16, 1776, Fort Orange, St. Eustatius, “Here the sovereignty
Of the United States of America was first acknowledged.”

Saluting is a pleasant part of military life that began with Roman soldiers. It is a courteous exchange of greetings with the junior member always initiating the salute to the senior member. It is not an onerous or demeaning aspect of military duty, as many who have not served believe. To this day, when entering a military base and exchanging salutes with the guard, I enjoy the instance of comradeship that is always rendered with a smile. I sense a feeling of safety for America emanating from these proud and dedicated young men in uniform. After all, our citizens deem them belonging to the most highly acclaimed public institution that America has. They are truly our best and brightest and many are family members.

Barbara Tuchman is a most highly read author who has written widely about America’s military history. Two of my favorites were The Guns of August and Stillwell and the American Experience in China. In The First Salute she turns her mastery homeward to give us an insightful view of a pivotal event during the Revolution that might be one of the most overlooked and critically important of all.

On November 16, 1776, the Andrew Doria, flying the red-and-white striped flag of the Continental Congress, entered the Dutch port of St. Eustatius in the West Indies and received the returning and ritual cannon salute to a foreign vessel entering its waters. From an unassuming fort on this diminutive Dutch island the small voice of St. Eustatius was the first to greet the largest event of the century; the entry into the society of nations of a new Atlantic state destined to change the direction of history.

Tuchman tells much of the story about this mostly unrecognized but vastly important event from the view and incredulity of the British that the Dutch would recognize the sovereignty of these break-a-way colonies. But, as throughout world history, following the money leads to the answer. The Governor of the Island by intentionally encouraging, in defiance of his own government, Dutch trade in military armaments to the Colonies, St. Eustatius increased its wealth and the Colonies received the firepower they needed.

St. Eustatius was known as ‘The Golden Rock’ for the flood of commerce that flowed through its free ports stuffing the coffers of its merchants with the proceeds. Edmund Burke, in 1781, opined that “its utility was its defense, the neutrality of its nature was its security, and it was an emporium for all the world, with prodigious wealth, all arising from its industry and the nature of its commerce.” It was a free port without custom duties. The instinct of the Dutch for commerce early persuaded them that profits were more likely to come from a free flow of trade than from restrictions. One said that the Americans would have had to abandon their revolution had it not been for Dutch greed. But, as we know, greed lies in the eyes of the beholder.

Tuchman’s documentation of the Dutch Ascendancy, after its revolt and freedom from Spain, is reason enough to read The First Salute. Few of us are knowledgeable of the dynamic accomplishments of the Dutch in almost every realm of endeavor; they were the most interesting people in Europe largely unknown to the world. And, in no small way they were the saviors of the Colonies through their wide ranging commerce and their political past. As Tuchman rightly notes, the winning of the Netherlands’ sovereignty and independence in 1684 vindicated the struggle for political liberty that was to pass in the next century to the Americans. But, jealousy of the extraordinary accomplishments of the Dutch clouded the European view as no nation of Europe “was more estimable in proportion.”

Attention is now turned to The Maddest Idea in the World-an American Navy. Being largely composed of seaboard colonies, America understood the urgency for a fighting Navy; and, early on, an American fleet was called for. The importance of sea power as a strategic weapon was well understood and the Second Continental Congress, on October 13, 1775, created the first navy of the United States. The Andrew Doria was one of the first four ships composing the commissioned fleet.

This leads the author to examine in fascinating detail world naval history of early times; including the wretched life aboard ship, naval fighting maneuvers, the fortunes made, several significant historical naval figures, and the neglect and decay of the European navies through inadequate funding, corruption, political chicanery, and the ill discipline of the men that extended into battle. Superpower naval forces had fallen into disrepair and this weakened their ability to retain supremacy of the sea as a strategic weapon. This fell to the Colonies favor.

Last Chance – The Yorktown Campaign is the final chapter of The First Salute; and, “miraculous” is the term applied to this decisive phase of the American Revolution. Washington in conjunction with the French was to march an Allied Army over 500 miles from New York to Virginia to lay siege to Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. They would be a mixed group of newly acquainted allies foraging and bivouacking along the way. These plans involved a serious risk of failure; and, were it to be so, would defeat America’s desire for independence. Tuchman deemed this decision as bold as Hannibal’s crossing of the Alps.

The Revolution was saved when at ten o’clock on the morning of October 17, 1781, after a major bombardment and with the hope of escape diminished, a British officer with a drummer boy alongside walked toward the American lines under the banner of a white flag. The siege at Yorktown then began a cessation of hostilities leading to surrender of the British Army to Washington. That was in the eyes of one ”…the most melancholy news Great Britain ever received.”

It took two days to work out the surrender and the surrender ceremony as defeated Armies in those days had certain ‘rights of honor’ to be granted that suggested they had put up a good fight. Washington and his staff rejected many of these; but, on October 19, 1781, an agreement was reached that began inaugurating the existence of a new nation. Tuchman paints us a touching description of this final scene, “…notifying the Old World that the hour of change to a democratic age had come.”

But, oddly, the War was not officially over as it took two more years to negotiate a peace treaty that was not concluded until 1783. Lastly and sadly, in 1777 her crew in the Delaware burned the Andrew Doria, bearer of the first greeting recognizing American sovereignty, to prevent British seizure: A bitter and unfortunate ending for this fine ship that had received America’s First Salute.

All in all, The First Salute is a genuinely good American history text about the birth of our nation; and, some would say, the birth of the modern Western World. I hope you enjoy it as much as I.

Richard Spencer
39th ATS KDOV 1962-1965

To buy The First Salute for $1.00, click on:
The First Salute

Keynes vs Hayek

Our dedicated "book reviewer" Rick Spencer offers the following current Comment relating to a review he did on this blog back in December, 07 (click here to refer back to the original review):

In Dec 07 I reviewed Hayek's 50th Anniversary edition of The Road To Serfdom. In it, Hayek offered good reason to be skeptical of government actions that encroached upon an individual's personal or economic freedoms. Dick Armey, in the WSJ 4 Feb 09 edition, has authored an article offering the reader a most cogent explanation of Keynes vs. Hayek. For those wanting to understand the difference between these two opposing economic views, this is it. It is especially important as Keynesian economics is at the root of the proposed stimulus bill. Read and decide! Here it is (click on the red title):

OPINION FEBRUARY 4, 2009
Washington Could Use Less Keynes and More Hayek
The late Austrian economist offered good reasons to be skeptical of government action.

Rick Spencer

February 5, 2009 1:25 PM

C-17 Globemaster

Here's another pretty remarkable video:

B-36 Peacemaker

The Convair B-36 (nicknamed Peacemaker) was a strategic bomber built by Convair and operated solely by the United States Air Force (USAF). The B-36 was the largest mass-produced piston engined aircraft ever made and had the largest wingspan in a combat aircraft ever built (230 ft (70 m)), although there have been larger military transports. The B-36 was the first bomber capable of delivering thermonuclear weapons from within a fully-enclosed bomb-bay. With a range of over 6,000 miles (9,700 km) and a maximum payload of at least 72,000 lb (33,000 kg), the B-36 was the first operational bomber with an intercontinental range, setting the standard for subsequent USAF long range bombers, such as the B-52 Stratofortress, B-1 Lancer, and B-2 Spirit.

Here's an incredible video clip I hope you can access. It’s a trip into the past. Where did we get such men (& machines!)? The first aircraft big enough to carry the first H-bomb weighed 46,000 pounds, and it could fly 60 hours without refueling!!!

"Strategic Air Command" (the movie) was filmed in Tampa at MacDill AFB. Enjoy this incredible sight (5.5 minute clip). Whoever created this clip took some great shots of the interior. Remember, "Six Turnin' and Four Burnin"".. .the six props and the four jets that were hung out on the wing to help the production models get off the ground.

Worth it for the sound - six piston and four jet engines. You will also see Jimmy Stewart on the jump seat. Look at all those instruments and engine controls at the Flight Engineer station. Also note that the Co-Pilot controls the jet engines while the Flight Engineer controls the pistons.

Additional note, thanks to Mitch Miller:
If I'm correct, the flight engineer (seated next to Jimmy Stewart) is none other than Harry Morgan (Col Sherman T. Potter of MASH fame). Listen closely to his voice as he reads a portion of the checklist. Mitch

Our Crew Colleague, Don Byrnes replied with an e-mail about this very B-36 flick playing a significant role in his military decision which resulted in his becoming a USAF pilot. See his Comment posted below......(click on: Comments).

The Black Book Review Sequel

Back in November, 2007, our Reviewer, Rick Spencer, published his perspective on The Black Book of Communism on this blog (click on: Spencer Review of The Black Book). He's now discovered a new review of the same book by the Mises Institute.....click on this link: Mises Review of The Black Book.



Here is Rick Spencer's comment he left today on the Mises Institute blog regarding this book:

"I reviewed this stunning book nov07 for a small military blog http://cargomasterraster.blogspot.com/ of USAF members flying the world's largest cargo plane in the 60's. It seems to be a book not publicly touted. A major reason, I believe, is that the academic/left world would have to shut the door forever on the concept of Utopia if these misdeeds were researched. The lack of such research and publicity about this evil of the 20th century is almost criminal in itself." Richard Spencer Published: January 20, 2009 3:00 PM

FYI, the Ludwig von Mises Institute in Auburn, AL, is self-described as:

The Institute is named to honor the life and work of Ludwig von Mises (1881-1973). In six decades of teaching and writing, he reconstructed economic theory and method on a sound basis of individual human action and showed that government intervention is always destructive, whether through welfare, inflation, taxation, regulation, or war. His vision of the free and prosperous commonwealth is carried forward in all the work of the Ludwig von Mises Institute.

For more information on the Mises Institute, click on: About Mises.

U2 Carrier Landings?

The following brought to us by our colleague, Rick Spencer:

Written by someone who was there in the 60s:

The aircraft carrier you see in this video, CV 61, was the
Ranger, retired in 1993.

The U-2 was a cold war spy plane used by the Air Force
to keep tabs on The Soviet Union. It flew so high it was
thought that it couldnt be shot down by anything that
existed then...that is until Gary Francis Powers was shot
down over the Soviet Union by a new SA 2 Guideline
surface to air missile...used extensively later during the
Vietnam war. It caused the demise of many Navy and
Air Force aircraft. The U2 is a glider with an engine....
NEVER meant for anything but land based operations.
Note the wing tips hitting the deck and the ships crew
holding the wing up for launch. For experienced Navy
tailhookers.....note the very shallow glideslope...
definitely Air Force runway approach procedures
because of the delicate landing gear. Navy planes are
made to "crash" onto the deck and the landing gear
on all Navy aircraft are significantly more beefy than
any Air Force airplane. This took significant skill and
guts to see if it could be done. These pictures are a
first .....very few people knew that this was done.
Enjoy...

This cruise was in late 62 or early 63. After the U2
carrier quals, we departed Oakland with 2 U2's and
about 6 F4's. aboard the Ranger (CVA61), We had
7or 8 crews, some maintenance guys, and 3 Air Force (or
maybe CIA) U2 pilots. Our OinC was John Young
(later Astronaut) . We were gone about 3 weeks.
Never found out where we went except that we
crossed the equator and had a big shellback
ceremony. After about a week the U2's flew
several 6 or 7 hour missions and then we turned for
home. We flew several times during the cruise just
for proficiency but just in the landing pattern. No
TACAN locks and no radar returns (and no bingo
fields!) so we were way out in the middle of
nowhere.

You won't believe this!

Click on: U2 Carrier Landing Video Footage from the 60s

Vietnam War Resources

If there is ANYthing you ever wanted to know about the Vietnam War, here is the website that can link you to any related subject, from Agent Orange and POW/MIA stories to the Enemy Perspective and Lessons Learned. Literally hundreds of links....

Click on: Vietnam War Resources

Thanks to Sandy Sandstrom for the reference!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

WELCOME TO 2009!!

Our Reunion Planning Survey has been sent to the 60 current e-mail addresses that we have on file. If you received one, PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO RESPOND. We need your input!!

If you're NOT on our e-mail list, and didn't get a survey, and are interested in anything C-133 related, let us know your e-mail address and other contact information. That's all you have to do to be a "member" of the C-133 Crew "society." Join us!

And have a Great New Year!

Delaware Christmas

Then Rick adds this:

Now, if Jimmy checks in with an Upper Peninsula Christmas scene, Terry with San Diego, and Ron with upper NY, we will have pretty well covered the lower 48 needing only the Great North West. In the meantime, here is the Beach Cam close to DAFB and a C-133 crew members' favorite hangout during the summers of the 60's! But, remember those winters? Rick

Click on: Bethany Cam

Key West Christmas

And from the "other end" of the 48 contiguous states, a voice is heard...

Our Book of the Month Reviewer, Rick Spencer says check out this live shot (click on): Sunset Cam

"Merry Christmas from Key West!"

Minnesota Christmas

This is what -34 wind chill looks like! Merry Christmas!!

Breaking News in Illinois

Totally unrelated to the purpose of this blog, I just couldn't resist the temptation to ask:

Who does Blagojevich remind you of more, Howdy Doody, or Alfred E. Neuman, or Eddie Munster?

December Book of the Month

THE CLASSICAL WORLD: An Epic History from Homer to Hadrian
Authored By Robin Lane Fox
Basic Books, 2006

As you know, for the most part during the past year I have been writing monthly reviews for C-133 crew-members about American military leaders who turned their skill into major civilian leadership positions. Discussions of these larger than life figures always leads to the question of “How did they transition from a warrior’s life of fierce defense for the country into that of a political leader?” Commanding men in battle bestows a certain humility that seems to transfer successfully into civilian leadership. We do surmise that each truly believed that the uniting of democratic values with the American people gave mankind its best hope.

These transformational leaders generally rose from ordinary beginnings to extraordinary accomplishments with a strong belief in the foundational values of Classical Western Culture. Honor and integrity were particular qualities imbued during their childhood upbringing; and, when under immense challenges, that became their strength. There is a reason that the American Armed Forces are the most respected of all U.S. Government institutions. But, what exactly was this culture and how did it develop? What were its military and civilian manifestations?

These questions are largely answered by Robin Lane Fox in The Classical World that is an introductory history about the ancient and classical civilizations of Greece and Rome where this culture began. Fox chronicles the period from Homer to Hadrian, from early Greece to Imperial Rome, some 900 years of political intrigue, of constant wars for fame and power, and of the ordinary life of the citizens. The relationship between the Greeks and the Romans has virtually no parallel in world history. It became a love-hate relationship, a fusion that created an extraordinary culture.

These nations dominated the western world for centuries; and, their art, architecture, drama, philosophy, politics, and military leadership determined the distinctive character and fundamental pillars of modern Western Civilization. The growth of the Arts that formed among the slaughter of the people during the constant turmoil of war seems impossible and is unprecedented. However, Classical culture, these many centuries later with its enduring strength is still typically expressed in our attitudes, habits, and beliefs. It is our ethos.

Fox has created an epic poem that tells the tales of those times in a continuous narrative that outlines the formative struggles within these ancient classical cultures that were largely influenced by man’s will to be free. Individual freedom; it is still and will always be the main struggle that we engage. It was in Athens that a radical or participatory democracy first evolved with origins as far back as 510B.C. Even though far removed from our present system of representative democracy, we tend to regard it as the spiritual ancestor of Western governance.

The author begins The Classical World with Homer, as his poems are the first written Greek literature to survive and ends with Hadrian as ‘classical literature’ ends with that reign. Hadrian toured his Roman Empire that extended from Britain to the Red Sea and was the one emperor who acquired a first-hand view of the classical world during his excursions in the 120’s and 130’s. Since Hadrian’s day, no other empire has ruled such a large expanse of territory. I refer you to this site about Hadrian’s Wall in Britain as an example of the Roman Empire’s reach.

Click on: "Hadrian's Wall" on Wikipedia

Hannibal and Rome is a most interesting chapter as it relates the famous battle at Cannae where Hannibal won a supreme victory over the Romans that is still studied in Western military academies. During the battle 48,000 enemy troops were killed at an estimated 500 lives per minute. Elephants and cavalry were a large part of the fierce engagements that ensued during the Hannibalic War. That War made Hannibal into history’s first global warrior. For more than 30 years he had been out of Carthage fighting in Spain, the Alps, and Italy. Hannibal’s memory continued to haunt Rome and years later in the 90’s AD, a Roman emperor had a Roman senator executed as he had a slave named Hannibal.

While reading The Classical World I was constantly reminded of Michael Howard’s The invention of Peace that I reviewed last January. Howard ‘s thesis still speaks to the truth that revolves about the notion that peace is a far more complex affair than war; so complex that it seems to remain beyond humanity’s reach; merely an invention of the international bourgeois community. Peace was and continues to be an elusive dream, simply the interlude between wars. Are we surprised! Thucydides the Greek first noted that in the 400’s B.C.

Scholars opine that these ancient battles, for all of their madness, are worthy of study if for no other reason than they are crucibles of history. A few hours of vicious fighting could determine the fate of an empire and alter the course of history. Marathon, Gaugamela, Masada, Teutoburg Forest, and Adrianople are examples that usually heralded the rise of one and the fall of the other. Students can easily study this long and unrelenting chronology about the chaotic complexity that underlies Howard’s thesis, as war was constant, integral, and vicious during the ancient classical world. Is it different in today’s world?

All in all, The Classical World is a fascinating depiction of how classical culture came into existence. It was a global world then and now; sometimes welcomed and encouraged, and sometimes resisted. It is well worth your study as the outcome from this distant and ancient past set the stage for the future development of modern Western civilization. Fox has created a compelling overview of the ancient human experience that began a long, arduous journey toward securing mankind’s insatiable desire for individual freedom. Freedom is a never-ending quest with the end result always in danger from the greater evils of power seekers. And, that is exactly what these great military/civilian leaders of America, well-educated in classical culture, knew even better. Enjoy!

Reviewed for the C-133 site By Richard Spencer,
39th ATS, DAFB, 1962-1965

Order this book for $2.95 here: The Classical World

Fading Away

Received the following from Crew colleague Dick Quimby:

Dick, and 133 troops: This morning I had coffee with a nearby friend here in Utah who flew with Ed Flanders in Germany in the 50th F-4 Squadron. He knew that Ed had also been in the 39th with me at Dover and asked if I had received Ed's email, letting folks know that his wife, Claire, had died on 10 Nov. I had not, but knew that Claire had been ill for some time, with numerous hospital stays.

Ed and Claire drove me up to New Hampshire from Dover after the last reunion, and we shared many war stories. (again!, Sheila and I knew them in the 39th) I spoke to Ed an hour ago, and he's certainly OK with letting C-133 folks know that Claire has passed away, so please pass this on to all. What great friends we've gathered, and what wonderful memories we share as we begin to "just fade away." Q

Surviving Hell: A POW's Journey

USAF Col. Leo Thorsness, was an F-105 pilot in Viet Nam in 1967. Here's an excerpt from a post on Powerline blog:

Colonel Thorsness is one of the most remarkable men I have ever met. He is one of the few (fewer than 150) living Medal of Honor recipients. His name should be known and his story should be told. He may be one of the "great-souled" men at the summit of human excellence of whom Aristotle speaks in the Ethics.

Listening to Colonel Thorsness talk about his experience as a prisoner of war, I thought to myself that someone has to write this up. I have since learned that someone -- Colonel Thorsness himself -- has done so (click on his memoir Surviving Hell: A POW's Journey ). Based on my interview with Colonel Thorsness, I look forward to reading the book and commend it to your attention.

To read the rest of this post on Powerline blog, click on: A McCain Campaign Highlight

Lockheed F-35B

Thanks to Rick Spencer for this video....

November Book of the Month

Eisenhower: A Soldier’s Life
By
Carlo D’este
Henry Holt and Company, 2002

Thirty-Fourth President
1953-1961

Born: October 14, 1890 in Denison, Texas

Died: March 28, 1969 in Washington D.C.

The roster of The Long Gray Line for the class of 1915 at West Point reads like a military Who’s Who of WWII. More than half the class of 115 graduates who served in the War became Generals. It was the “class the stars fell on” with two four-stars, seven three-stars, twenty-four two-stars, and twenty-five one stars. Additionally, there were two five-stars and one President of the United States: Eisenhower, possibly the most famous USMA graduate of the 20th Century. The Class of 1915 is the most famous in West Point history. It is the class that saved the world from the evils of the fascist tyrants. There will never be another like it!

D’Este writes a most compelling and readable biography of Eisenhower’s life as a soldier that leads to him becoming a national hero and one of the most universally respected Americans of his time. He rightly notes that more than a half century later it is still difficult to grasp fully the enormity of Eisenhower’s responsibilities. Even so, in war or peace, Eisenhower always insisted he was not an indispensable man. It was only the people that worked for him or the citizens of the country that he worked for that considered him indispensable. The verdict became overwhelming as he was accepted by the free world as one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated military commanders!

As one of six “hellions’ brothers from the wrong side of town all, including Ike, would never have dreamed that he would be thrust into the leadership of an international coalition of disparate peoples charged by Marshall to lead the Allied forces to victory during WWII. Only the shared hatred for Hitler and Eisenhower’s calming demeanor brought them together for this common cause. General Eisenhower is largely credited as the major military player that saved our Civilization from the evils of fascism. Oddly, her son’s profession was especially disconcerting to his mother, Ida Eisenhower, who had an abhorrence of war and never really reconciled her religious beliefs with his life choice.

Some historians have noted that Eisenhower was an astonishing man, one of the most astonishing in American history. He was born David Dwight Eisenhower but was best known as Ike. He exuded public confidence but was a nervous bundle of energy in private. During the intensity leading up to the Normandy invasion General Eisenhower was once heard to comment, “I hope to God I know what I am doing”; but, once the invasion was launched he somberly noted, “No one can stop it now”. The personal stress was so great that Ike increased his smoking habit to four packs of Chesterfields per day.

“I like Ike” still resonates among the American populace that elected General Eisenhower as our country’s thirty-fourth President. The author opines that Ike would have been elated merely to be remembered as a good soldier. And, that he was, as were all who have signed the blank check to enter into military service to defend the country up to and including their life asking nothing in return but dignity from their fellow countrymen. West Point’s teachings of Duty, Honor, Country became living values that served General Eisenhower and our soldiers well as we entered into one of the world’s great conflagrations. It was a time of dark despair for the democracies as the defeat of our Allies seemed eminent and our European military forces were now being trusted to a General of unknown fighting ability.

Carlo D’Este chronicles this portrait of Eisenhower’s life from birth to his Victory in WWII. Through it all, Ike remained an unpretentious man hoping that in the end to ‘gain an eternal peace for this world’. As Supreme Commander to the Combined Chiefs of Staff, General Eisenhower released the following statement, devoid of self-congratulation, declaring the War in Europe officially ended: The mission of this Allied Force was fulfilled at 0241, local time, May 7th, 1945. Eisenhower. Ike was now a man for the ages.

I remember well the glorious news of that day, as do many of you. Celebrations were in order in every city and town in the country. The excitement for every citizen was palpable. The long ordeal was almost over with only Japan left to defeat. Families would finally be reunited. The headline in very newspaper was VICTORY! The exhilaration of that day is forever with each of us. It remains a defining moment in the lives of all. Eisenhower: A Soldier’s Life is a chance to relive it minute-by-minute, battle-by-battle, and person-by-person.

Lastly, Eisenhower’s military and subsequent civilian leadership roles would seem to be a true model for today’s political leaders. His solid educational background honed by years of worldwide interactions within the highest levels of commerce and government created a proven, tested professional to assume national leadership. That background seems to be sorely missing among many of today’s leaders with their vacuous knowledge of economics, military affairs, and the role of America in today’s world. Ike and his colleagues seem to have been true adults in the room when measured against many of today’s sycophantic politicians that seek personal power for personal gain. Ike exuded a trustworthiness that few today do. I truly like Ike and wish there were more like him. . Enjoy!

Reviewed for our C-133 site
By
Richard Spencer
39th ATS, DAFB, 1962-1965

To order a hard cover copy of the book online for $1.00 + S&H,
click on: Bookseller

That's a Write-up!

Check out this video: