Book Review

Unforgotten in the Gulf of Tonkin, by Eileen A. Bjorkman

Reviewed by LCDR Chip Lancaster, USN (Ret.)

Eileen Bjorkman has been fascinated by and, one might say, is even obsessed with ejection seats having spent more than 35 years and 700 hours in them as a Flight Test Engineer and then the Flight Test Director at Edwards Air Force Base. Retired now, she has penned a work that encapsulates the breadth of her knowledge on the subject. Her deep understanding of the development of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) during the Vietnam War to her knowledge of current aircrew survival techniques informs a book with a narrative structure which keeps the reader informed and wanting more.

The author weaves a tapestry, taking us in and out of the true story of young Naval Aviator, Willie Sharp, and beyond. Unforgotten in the Gulf of Tonkin starts by abruptly smacking the reader with Willie’s aircraft being struck by a SAM and his ejection that leaves you on the edge of your seat with Willie drifting through the cloud deck. You know the story will be continued, but at Eileen’s speed and style. We’re given a history of air sea rescue from World War I to World War II to Korea embellished with numerous accounts and aircraft from the PBY Catalina to the Sikorsky R-4, H-5, and H-19 to the Vertol H-21 and the Grumman UA16 Albatross leading to the establishment of the Sea Rescue Service. Of note is the detailed recounting of the post-Korea airliner midair over the Grand Canyon involving efforts by Air Force H-19s, Army H-21s and De Haviland O-1 Otters with Army aircraft doing most of the recovery work.

Willie’s life is brought back into the story with his formative years growing up in the late 1940s and early ‘50s fascinated by all things military, especially with the Navy, having uncles that served in WWII. He even builds a dirt aircraft carrier landing strip to practice FCLPs with his bicycle, mastering the technique until as a teenager he sees a newspaper picture of the new F8U Crusader jet fighter being developed for the Navy. It’s the plane of his dreams, but he knows he’ll never fly it; flying, to his thinking, is for other lucky people. In the early ‘60s, he gets a fam-hop in a T-34 from a Navy recruiter, and he’s bitten again by the aviation bug. He is accepted into Aviation Officer Candidate School, gets commissioned, and takes to flight school like a duck to water, cruising through the T-34, T-2 and TF-9 until hitting the big boy, the supersonic F-11 Tiger.

Willie’s career begins with a squadron tour as the author folds us into a history of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Along with the geopolitical situation comes the development of combat involvement and of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) starting with Air Force H-43B/F Huskies and HU-16 Albatrosses (see RR137 Summer 2017, They Called It Naked Fanny) eventually forming the Pacific Air Rescue Center. The rescue situation in Vietnam is aggravated by a multilayered jungle that swallows up crashed aircraft and crews literally disappearing into the environment. Willie finally meets the F-8 Crusader at Miramar and dives into the history of the aircraft: a winged 1000 mph rocket built around four 20 mm cannons and a pilot. It’s dubbed “the last of the gunfighters” for its designed role of air superiority. The F-8 is single seat; there are no 2-seaters, so your first flight is all you. As with any aircraft, landing is the most important part of any flight. Landing ashore is no problem, but hitting the boat for a 3-wire trap is a different story. The author provides an in-depth description of carrier landings with Willie’s maxim, “line-up, airspeed, glideslope” paying attention to the ball and LSO.

The story morphs to the Gulf of Tonkin at Yankee Station off North Vietnam aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (CVA 31) in VF-191. Life on the carrier is relayed in detail from island to ready room and everything in between, so much so that you can smell the oil and steam and feel the hissing, beat and slam of the cats and arresting gear. Willie’s squadron callsign is “Feedbag," their mission AAA and SAM suppression for the A-4 and A-1 ground attack squadrons. A new anti-aircraft weapon is introduced by the NVA, the Russian built SA-2 SAM, a radar guided telephone pole that can take out aircraft at altitude. CSAR has improved with H-2s stationed on offshore frigates and A-1 Skyraiders providing ground attack cover for downed pilots.

It's a new day, and the squadron’s mission is AAA and SAM suppression. Willie’s day is covered from breakfast to intel to preflighting and manning-up his Crusader. Juxtaposed with Willie’s preparation is that of a Vietnamese fisherman preparing his boat and crew for a day on the gulf, including arming-up with an NVA provided AK-47. During the mission, Willie’s F-8 is hit causing him to eject. The ejection process is described in minute detail with units responding as soon as they hear his “Mayday” call; F-8s, A-4s, A-1s, HU-16 and an H-2. While everyone is responding, Willie is fished out of the water by a fisherman. He has an altercation with the fisherman and his mate, wherein previous actions by his wife and CAG come together to save his life and prevent his capture. A-1 strafing runs keep the rest of the fishing boats at bay while the H-2 comes in for a hoist recovery.

Willie’s return to his squadron and the F-8 and back into action is thoroughly integrated with discussions of CSAR improvements and PTSD. His ejection coupled with the interaction of his potential captors and a follow-on second tour fatal LSO incident leave him with recurring nightmares, furthering the author’s discussion on the history of PTSD, from which Willie is still trying to recover. Amplifying her talk on PTSD, the author covers the plight of POW/MIAs from WW I to Vietnam to present day. She recounts the function and actions of the DPAA (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) which continuously seeks to account for and recover whenever possible the remains of our fallen and missing warriors. The program was born during Vietnam with the actions of Jane Denton and Sybil Stockdale, the wives of two POWs. She wraps up the history of CSAR and the DPAA with the advent of the Soldier’s, Sailor’s and Airman’s Creeds to “leave no one behind." Noting that even today, the DPAA is finding and recovering our warriors’ remains.

Unforgotten in the Gulf of Tonkin is a beautifully written, in-depth and thorough accounting, of which I have only scratched the surface with my comments. In addition to a wealth of information, the book has hundreds of chapter notes, a detailed bibliography (including the seminal work Leave No Man Behind by Naval Aviators and Rotor Review contributors George Galdorisi and Tom Phillips), and an extensive cross-referenced index. Every time you go through the main gate of NAS North Island, note that it is the Admiral Stockdale Gate. An A-4, similar to the one that ADM Stockdale was shot down in is on the left while on the right there will soon be an SH-60 dedicated to CDR Clyde Lassen, USN (Ret.). Both of these Naval Aviators were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during Vietnam; ADM Stockdale for actions as a POW and CDR Lassen as a LTJG CSAR H-2 Pilot. I heartly give Unforgotten two thumbs up, check it out, you can find it online, and in the NHAHS Library in Bldg 654.

Chip’s List of 10 Best Aviation Movies

Youprobably had your own plans for vegging out at home during the holidays. If you don’t have anything better to do, and we know you probably don’t, here’s our top ten aviation flicks for your consideration:

1. Midway (2019) - This got bad reviews, but we don’t care. The Navy flying action more than makes up for it.

2. Planes: Fire and Rescue (2014) - Seriously, you will love this one. The boss is a helicopter.

3. Red Tails (2012) - WWII Tuskegee Airmen with plenty of aerial combat action with Mustangs and ME’s.

4. Always (1989) - Firebomber action with an all star cast, including Holly Hunter and Richard Dreyfuss.

5. Flyboys (2006)- WWI aerial combat with amazing sound, your favorite drink, special effects, and a Zeppelin.

6. Black Hawk Down (2001) - Gritty graphic Army helo action in Somalia.

7. Pearl Harbor (2001) - Bad reviews again, but we don’t care. Great WWII aerial combat action.

8. Air America (1990) - Vietnam aviation dramedy from another point of view.

9. The Aviator (2004) - Great flying with Howard Hughes and the Spruce Goose.

10. Apocalypse Now (1979) - You’ll definitely want to flathat (but don’t do it!) after this powerful Vietnam flick.

There’s ten for you or maybe you have your own list. Let us know if you do. Whatever the case, grab some popcorn and sit back with a good flick. Have a good one from all of us at Rotor Review.