Thud Ridge: Flying the F-105 Thunderchief in Combat Over Vietnam - Softcover

Broughton, Jack

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0859791165 ISBN 13: 9780859791168

Publisher: Crecy Publishing, 2017

Synopsis

New Edition

This is the story of a special breed of warrior, the fighter-bomber pilot; the story of valiant men who flew the rugged F-105 Thunderchief 'Thud' fighter-bomber over the hostile skies of North Vietnam.

From the briefing rooms to the bombing runs, Colonel Jack Broughton recounts the tragedy and heartache, the high drama and flaming terror, the exhilaration and thrill of life on the edge. He relives the incredible feeling of high-speed, low-level sorties where SAM missiles, deadly flak, and enemy MiG fighters were all in a day's work. The bravery of the pilots and their commitment to each other in times of extreme fear, crisis and catastrophe are highlighted by vivid, fast moving aerial combat sequences.Thud Ridge is a fascinating and graphic memorial to the courage of American pilots, the power of their machines and their dedication to achieving successful missions despite the difficult challenges they faced.

Author Jack Broughton, who passed away in 2014, had an exemplary career in the U.S. Air Force, receiving 43 separate awards and decorations, including four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Silver Stars and the highest Air Force service decoration for heroism, the presidentially-awarded Air Force Cross. Broughton was also proud of the fact that he was combat-qualified in every USAF fighter from the WWII P-47 to the supersonic F-106 all-weather interceptor. Thud Ridge continues to be an inspirational memoir for each new generation of air force officer candidates, as well as an enduring and timeless military history classic.

About this title

About the Author

Jacksel Markham "Jack" Broughton (January 4, 1925 - October 24, 2014) was a United States Air Force officer and fighter pilot who retired with the rank of colonel in 1968. Over the course of his military career, he received 43 awards and decorations, including four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Silver Stars, and the Air Force Cross for heroism. He was notably combat-qualified in every U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft from the P-47 Thunderbolt to the F-106 Delta Dart. Born in Utica, New York, Broughton graduated from Brighton High School in Rochester in 1942 and entered the United States Military Academy the same year under an accelerated wartime program. He graduated in 1945 and was commissioned into the United States Army Air Forces, completing flight training during his cadet years. Following his service, Broughton became an author, publishing two memoirs about the Vietnam War that were critical of U.S. air strategy and rules of engagement. He married Alice Joy "AJ" Owen in 1951, and they had four children.

Edition details

• Publisher: Crecy Publishing
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0859791165
• ISBN 13: 9780859791168
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 228