The First Hellcat Ace

Rating:
Summary: A Bulls-Eye for "One Slug"
Review: I found The First Hellcat Ace to be a thoroughly enjoyable chronicle of Hamilton McWhorter's experiences in World War II. The book reads well and the story is engaging, providing a balanced view of his personal and professional life as a Naval aviator. The deprivations of shipboard life, the risks of combat, and the pain of separation from loved ones provide a solid foundation for "One-Slug" McWhorter's story.

Rating:
Summary: The story of how it was for carrier based fighter pilots.
Review: I was prepared to like this book before I bought it. My opinion had to be a biased one. Mac McWhorter served in USS Essex, the same ship I served on although I was a aboard a decade after he was. He was a ship's hero and considered my Shipmate.All those who served in USS Essex, from her commissioning in 1942, as CV9 to her decommisioning in 1969 as CVS9, and even those who serve in USS Essex LHD2 are shipmates, even those who served in that first 32 gun frigate Essex built in Salem in 1779 are considered shipmates. We all served, or are serving in United States Ship Essex. It's a Navy thing. I have been in correspondence with Mac in things related to Essex. I have found him to be a man of warmth, with a great sense of humor. A family man, and a true shipmate.

This book is about what it was like for a carrier fighter pilot. About missing one's family, and about squadron members and friends lost in battle, About just getting through it. Mac McWorter survived three carrier deployments in World War II. He earned a reputation as one of the Navy's deadliest fighter pilots. His memior is not the stuff of shootouts in the air, although there is plenty of that, as the First Pilot to ace in the Hellcat, and with 12 air victories it's neccesary to his story. His story is of comradeship, and sacrifice, survival and getting a job done. This is a great read. It's a story that needed to be told and needs to be read. Lest we forget Hamilton "Mac" McWhorter and those who served with him.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: Well written, honest and easy to read - this is the kind of book that gets dusted off every year or so and re-read.

Rating:
Summary: A thoroughly engaging military biography
Review: With the assistance of professional writer Jay A. Stout, Hamilton McWhorter has written an informative and compelling memoir of his experiences in World War II, beginning with his status as a naval aviation cadet undergoing training when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. McWhorter earned his Wings of gold in early 1942 and as Ensign McWhorter trained to be a fighter pilot on an outmoded F3F wildcat. He first saw combat during November 1942 in North African against the Vichy French. Upon returning stateside, McWhorter and his VF-o unite converted to the new Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters and from mid-1943 was constantly engaged in deadly aerial warfare against Imperial Japanese forces. He became the first ace in the Hellcat during the action off Tarawa Atoll in November 1943, and seven subsequent victories ensured his place in the annals of air-to-air combat. The First Hellcat Ace is a vividly told, informatively presented, thoroughly engaging military biography from first page to last -- and highly recommended reading for all World War II military and aviation history buffs.