num_pages: 279
description: ACE!A Marine Night-Fighter Pilot in World War IIby Colonel R. Bruce Porter with Eric Hammel"My first time at the controls of the N3N was a nightmare of jerky, uncoordinated movements, over-corrections, needless exertions, and red-faced certainty that I did not, in fact, have the right stuff. The instructor calmly got me—and himself—out of trouble and never uttered a sound of dismay. Until we were safely on the ground. Then he looked at me—a wet rag, sweating fear and embarrassment into my bulky flight suit—and said just the thing to make my day: 'Porter, you will never solo. You are the dumbest cadet I have ever laid eyes on.'"Ace! is Bruce Porter's life as a Marine combat fighter pilot—from his earliest days as a naval aviation cadet before World War II, to his adventures guarding America’s forwardmost defense line in the South Pacific, to his aerial combat over the Solomons. Follow Bruce Porter through his exacting night-fighter training and fly with him on his rare double-kill night mission over Okinawa in 1945.Colonel Robert Bruce Porter, USMCR (Ret) reported for his Last Flight on April 20, 2009.============== “From flight training, Bruce Porter’s aeronautical skills as a Marine day- and night-fighter pilot defined the term—fighter ace! Bruce’s book reflects the keen, analytical mind of a fighter pilot’s technical skills projected into combat. This book is a ‘must’ for anyone interested in combat aviation history.” ———Col Jeff De Blanc, Marine Medal of Honor recipient“[In his book], Bruce relives the challenges, frustrations, and triumphs of training, on to his victories in the Corsair in the Solomons, and then on to attain ace status with a flourish at Okinawa. Read and enjoy a fabulous Marine aviation combat story.” ———BriGen Joe Foss, Marine Medal of Honor recipient“Bruce Porter’s book is great! It shows the many details and answers many questions about operating from an aircraft carrier. . . . It explains why, even without enemy action, steady operations under poor conditions will cost us pilots and aircraft. . . . I highly recommend Ace!” ———BriGen Bob Galer, Marine Medal of Honor recipient“You have to read this excellent book. It will keep you glued to the pages as you sit in the cockpit with Bruce. . . . It is very well written and personal.” ———Col Jim Swett, Marine Medal of Honor recipient“Bruce Porter’s book, Ace!, tells of our flying Wildcats together before Pearl Harbor, about his Corsair victories in the Solomon Islands, and his splendid night flying from Okinawa. I highly recommend Ace!” ———LtCol Ken Walsh, Marine Medal of Honor recipient
language: English
title: Ace! A Marine Night-Fighter Pilot in World War II
titlecomplete: Ace! A Marine Night-Fighter Pilot in World War II
genres: Military History, History, War
ratings_count: 51
publisher: Pacifica Pr