George Loving (1923–2016)

Loving was a P-51 ace in WWII. Sent back to the US to train other pilots. He wrote another book about that experience and just brushes over it here. Here, he talks about post WWII Air Force and getting a permanent commission. Interestingly, he does not discuss the change from Army Air Corps into the separate department of the Air Force. He spent some time in Japan as the P-51 changed to F-51 and then volunteering to go in for the Korean war conflict.

Interesting switch from pursuit/fighters show more into the F-80 jet fighter bomber with a focus on the close Air Support (CAS) mission. US Air Force killed tens of thousands of communist forces in the Koran conflict as well as knocking out tanks, trains, and lots of trucks. He does discuss using Napalm and how effective it was against tanks and enemy trenches. Besides flying over 100 combat mission he commanded a F-80 squadron. Not only does he discuss his experience in the Korean conflict but after the conflict as he continued to make rank and was able to get his bachelors degree and eventually command 5th AF.

Recommend for those interested in CAS, Korean war conflict, or the F-80 in action. show less