Sabre Jets Over Korea. A Firsthand Account

276 Pages·1984·61.89 MB·English

by  Douglas K. Evans

Sabre
Jets
Over
Korea:
A
Firsthand Account

Over
Korea:
A
Firsthand Account
by Douglas K. Evans
TAB BOOKS
TAB
Inc.
BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA 17214
FIRST EDITION
FIRST PRINTING
Copyright © 1984 by Douglas K. Evans
Printed in the United States of America
Reproduction or publication of the content in any manner, without express
permissionofthe publisher, isprohibited. No liability isassumedwith respectto
the use ofthe information herein.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Evans, Douglas K.
Sabre jets over Korea.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Korean War, 1950-1953—Personal narratives, American.
2. Evans, Douglas K. 3. Korean War, 1950-1953—Aerial
operations. I. Title.
DS921.6.E94 1984 951.9'042 83-24145
ISBN 0-8306-2352-3 (pbk.)
CCoonntteennttss
Preface vii
Historical Note ix
Introduction xi
On The Way
I 1
II Practice for Real 13
III A Taste of Action 21
IV Interlude along the Way 51
V Bedcheck Charlie and Other Warmups 64
VI Fast and Furious Fall 83
VII Hot and Cold Winter 151
VIII Last of the Way 214
Postscript 233
Notes 238
Glossary of Military Terms and Fighter Pilot Jargon 245
Dedicated to
my brother
Tom
Francis T. Evans Jr. 1921-1953
,
Captain U.S.A.F., 100 missions P-47, E.T.O.
, ,
With whom I shared all those soaring boyhood dreams of
flight and followed in the great fortune of seeing those early
dreams come true in the fascinating life of the fighter pilot.
And
in appreciation
To all those pioneer pilots of my father’s time whose
annals of absorbing experiences and generous wisdom
have so inspired us all.
To all those men of the wars, challenges, and wings of
my time whose shared adventures and comradeship are the
priceless privilege of a lifetime.
During my combat tour inthe Korean War I carriedon asort
of arm’s-length, continuous conversation in my letters home, and
for use in ideas for expansion in those letters I jotted notes of
personal thoughts and kept a brief log of reminders of the
highlights of activities. Numerous personal thoughts remained
separate until they were merged into the narration of this book,
most of which came from those regular lengthy letters. For me,
aerial combat was such a fascinating experience that I couldn’t
resist attempting to capture and confide at least its essence on
paper.
Recounting experiences (as fighter pilots always do when
together)keptalive rathervivid memoriessharedwithmyfriends
over the years. When comparingaction withpilotsofotheroutfits
and other theaters ofwar, I often dug back into these writings to
better illustrate events, and I still have at hand themap Icarried
on every mission. I felt sure thatother veterans ofexciting times
regret the fading of details with the dimming of memory. Here
was a chance to revive particular moments of hazard and humor,
and each review brought back additional recollections stirred up
by familiar episodes. As time went by, the feeling grew thatthis
availablestoryofthosewhoflewinagreatfighteroutfitdeserveda
better fate than fading and fraying in a battered briefcase.
The task of linking the various sources of the full story
naturally required some pruning and blending of the clipped
jargon of certain hasty passages scribbled down at irregular
moments. There was also the need to clarify incidents, places, or
VII
individuals, as well as rephrase some narration for addresstothe
general reader. Overall, though, thestoryisjustas I retained itby
pencil and pen long ago as the days and months rolled on. Just as
the language ofsailors ofthe high seas enthused in their familiar
ways of full-rigged sail may be somewhat mysterious to the
layman, so may that of the youthful exuberant fighter pilot
absorbed in his special calling. To have attempted to completely
clarify or interpret an environment so fundamental to fighter
pilotswould havegiventhestoryadiluted qualityobvioustothose
who have “been the route.” I learned long ago when setting these
eventsdownthatthejoyofflyingfightersmixedwiththejumbleof
action, impressions of which you are attempting to retain and
convey, can be difficult to relate to others. And now when I begin
again withthefirstletters,Iamremindedhowinadequatewasmy
imagination for the adventure that was to come.
I mention in a number of passages how highly I valued the
experience, andtoday,yearsofflyinglater,Ibelieveittobebeyond
measure. No substitute could equal the living of it, the remem-
bering, and the retelling.
This way I won’t lose it.
viii