Naval Institute Press
The 14-hour war; valor on Koh Tang and the recapture of the SS Mayaguez.
Wise and Baron, both veterans of the Vietnam war, present this narrative history of the last battle of the Vietnam conflict, the fierce engagements between U.S. Marines and battle-hardened Khmer Rouge soldiers on the island of Koh Tang island, and the retaking of the ship the SS MAYAGUEZ which had been captured by the Khmer Rouge off the coast of Cambodia in 1975. The volume recounts the planning by the Ford administration which was plagued by inaccurate intelligence, miscommunication and micromanaged command structure that extended to the Oval Office. During the 14 hour battle on Koh Tang fourteen Marines, two Air Force and two Navy men lost their lives. Of the Marines, three were left behind when U.S. forces were extracted. The volume includes the recollections of 24 veterans who fought the enemy on the island, numerous maps, and illustrations as well as appendices documenting orders of battle and the names of military personnel killed and wounded in the battle. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Battle surface!; Lawson P. "Red" Ramage and the war patrols of the USS Parche.
Moore, who has written numerous books on World War II and Texas history, tells the story of Lawson P. "Red" Ramage and the USS Parche, the submarine he commanded in the Pacific theater of World War II. The author interviewed former crew members and used American and Japanese sources as the basis for his account. Extremely detailed and "in the moment," the author gives a particularly riveting narrative of Ramage's singlehanded attack on a Japanese convoy. Readers interested in the history of the war would enjoy the book. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
Black Sheep; the life of Pappy Boyington.
Author Wukovits, a military expert specializing in the Pacific theater of WWII, presents an account of the turbulent life of Gregory 'Pappy' Boyington, the top US Marine fighter pilot in the Pacific theater, concentrating on the accomplishments of his military career rather than his character flaws. The author details Boyington's early life with his abusive parents, his military career and service with the Flying Tigers in Burma and China, his feats as a Corsair pilot in the South Pacific, and his time in Japanese prison camps. The author argues that Boyington had a spotty record with the Flying Tigers because they treated him as an outsider, and demonstrates that he excelled as the leader of the Black Sheep Squadron. The book includes a chronology and b&w historical photos. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN); combat systems technology, 1949-2010.
Of interest to military planners, historians and naval armaments enthusiasts, this comprehensive examination of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) provides detailed analysis of the ships, weapons systems and attendant technology used by one of the world's most powerful navies. Beginning with a look at the history of the force from 1949 to 2010, the work covers new generation destroyers, frigates, submarines, coastal defense and amphibious capabilities, anti-air radar and missile systems, anti-submarine warfare and mine threats in the South China Sea as well as discussions of combat system integration and training and future improvements expected in the twenty-first century. Chapters include numerous illustrations, tables and charts and an appendix of corresponding western and PLAN weapons systems designations is provided. Bussert is an experienced anti-submarine warfare expert and Elleman is a professor at the US Naval War College. (Annotation ©2011 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)
