Jerry W. Cook - Once a Fighter Pilot

Once a Fighter Pilot

Brig. Gen. Jerry W. Cook USAFR, Retired

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ISBN: 978-0-07-163061-0

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To the guys in the jungle.

I was a fast mover.

I rarely got a glimpse of you as I roared by,

but I never forgot that you were there.

You are the real heroes,
especially those of you on the Wall.

I wish to acknowledge friends and family members whose gentle nudging and warm encouragement helped to bring this work to reality. Luraette Tucker, the first nonfamily member to request and read the original manuscript. Joyce and Jim Faulkner, who early on expressed enthusiasm for the book. Andy Holbert, a pilot buddy who read some of the first stories and said, Keep writing. Russ Johnson, whose experience and advice helped me to structure the text. Becky Kossover, whose red pen and expertise helped keep me on the right track.

The Coffields, Ellen and Jim, who critiqued with kindness. Leah Williams, a friend whom Ive never met, for her enlightening questions, comments, and kind words. Jack Stephens, for the use of his personal time and valued opinion. Waymon Pearson, an old friend and fellow pilot, for his expert viewpoint.

The Scroggins, Vearn and Johnny, for their enthusiastic responses to the manuscript. Mary and Greg Hubbard for their gratifying requests for more, more stories. The Johnsons, Elsie and Tommy, for their resolute support.

One of the bravest men in Vietnam, my regular backseater, Vern Hammett, for his coolness under fire during some of my wilder maneuvers and his kind response to my recent requests for assistance.

A special thanks goes to Susan Taylor, whose enthusiasm for this project, faith in my ability, and hours of unselfish proofreading, had a very large part in its completion.

Most of all, to the person who started it all. Her idea from the beginning: She never wavered in her encouragement and support. Her unfailing confidence in me is what caused me to try. My deepest appreciation and gratitude go to Linda Ann Cook, my wife and best friend.

This book began as a project suggested by my wife, Linda. She thinks that there comes a time in almost every life when one feels a desire to know more regarding relatives, especially ancestors about whom there is very little information.

I have an old tintype that my mother gave me of an ancestor who served in the Civil War. He appears in uniform, and the family resemblance is remarkable; however, the only other reference I have seen about him is a medical discharge. I am fascinated, but I will never know more. Everyone who could have told me of him has passed away. The knowledge is gone forever. Perhaps he was not an important person to anyone else, but I still have this innate desire to know about him. I never will.

Linda thinks that someday a grandchild or some other descendant might feel the same way about me. She thinks that he or she might be interested in certain aspects of my life. She has heard me relate some of my experiences to others and thinks that my grandchildren should hear them. It appears that they will never hear them in the usual way, by sitting on their grandfathers lap; hence, Once a Fighter Pilot.

These stories are based on memories of events that occurred thirty or more years ago. Although I have strived to recall all particulars as accurately as possible, certain details have been lost forever. Somewhat like a woodland place once visited, nuances are now grown over by time, never to be found again; however, even though some of the specific aspects have gone, the emotions and feel of the place will always remain. They are herein faithfully recorded.