300 Missions Over Vietnam

This book chronicles the story of a young F-100 pilot fighting in the air war in South Vietnam. Through 72 letters written to loved ones back home, this work tells of his life in a fighter squadron in the peak year of that war. The letters and added commentary contain vivid descriptions of combat operations, of mission briefings, flight protocols, tactics, and targets. They speak of dangers faced: enemy fire, harsh weather, unforgiving terrain. The letters describe in rich detail the brutal fury and inspiring beauty of nature in a land far from the pilot’s home. Importantly, the letters also reveal the human side of war. More than combat actions, war is ultimately a human endeavor. It is a realm of high excitement and deep melancholy, of loss and longing. This book presents a contemporary review of a troubled war, and one pilot’s firsthand account.

Stewart Cranston flew 514 combat flying hours while serving as an F-100 fighter pilot in Vietnam. A graduate of the Air Force Test Pilot School, he continued flying high performance airplanes throughout his career. Over his 34 years of service to his country, Lt. General Cranston accumulated over 3900 flying hours.

Stewart Cranston. Series Editor David Kirk Vaughan
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages:
Bibliographic Info: ca. 15 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2025
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9777-2
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5592-5
Imprint: McFarland
Series: Voices in American Military Aviation