The Threadbare Buzzard: A Marine Fighter Pilot in WWII

I served in the Air Force but much later than the author. I found this book enlightening in that is shows the military hasn't changed and has always been the same. I found it enjoyable to hear how Boyington's fame came to be and how that fame wasn't what was shown to the public 60 years ago. I love the author's style of story telling even though he comes across as as feeling only Marine Corp pilots were the best and then maybe just those that fought early in the war.

Wonderful storytelling. The understated humor is captivating. The author speaks his mind, no attempts in grandstanding, just the way it is.

This book is incredibly moving and funny, with the author's over-the-top, self-deprecating style making for a great contrast to the life-and-death reality of being a Marine pilot in World War II. My uncle was a pilot during World War II and flew a Corsair, so I always wondered what it was like for him to fight in the South Pacific. This book not only describes in great detail the mechanical/machinery side of what it was like to fly these planes, it's also a commentary on the the so-called noble "Eagle" aspect of American fighting forces. That's why the author calls himself the "Threadbare Buzzard" instead of a more decorated and valiant bird. Several times it was laugh-out-loud funny, and it made me see the war in a whole new way.

He tells it like it was in a funny way but also gets to the real way it was. The Soloman islands brought back many memories a lot of which had faded with time. As a Naval Aviator I felt he was not always fair in his treatment of the navy. I really enjoyed this book and feel any WWll veteran would like it also.