From hot, sweaty, often bloody infantry battles in Vietnam to high-altitude supersonic fighter engagements in the Middle East lasting only seconds, Steve Stevenson mixed two disparate careers into one. Not appreciated at home, Steve and the Vietnam era troops performed every challenging task assigned. The junior officers who fought in Vietnam ensured the Vietnam problems were corrected in Middle East conflicts twenty years later .Known by his Air Force call sign "Grunt" in F-4s, he pushed the importance of and need for Close Air Support for the ground troops, to an extent that occasionally got him in trouble. Steve takes you into the life of young paratroopers in combat, into the mostly untold lives and actions of US Special Forces, into the rowdy squadrons and cramped cockpits of fighter pilots. Along the way, he preaches Jointness and inter-service cooperation, accepted by the "boots on the ground", but often opposed by the parochialism of senior leaders in all services.From the Vietnam War, Yom Kippur War, Turkish Invasion of Cyprus, Desert Storm to "black" special ops, Steve volunteered for or was at the right place at the right time. He captures the comradeship, dedication, and patriotism of these warriors and their families, raucous parties and the heartbreak of friends lost.Steve believed people were his greatest assets and rewarded his troops, even when it may have been unauthorized. But, higher headquarters will never know. Ms. Joni Mitchell's 1967 song "Both Sides Now" seems a perfect summary of Steve's unique career. Patriot, Soldier, Fighter Pilot, Leader, Husband and Father through twenty-six intense years of, military service; this story captures the attention of students and the admiration of military historians.
Author: Harry C. Stevenson
Publisher: Newfawn Press
Published: 08/22/2017
Pages: 400
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.17lbs
Size: 9.02h x 5.98w x 0.82d
ISBN: 9780692719893
About the Author
Born to a decorated retired Army officer, Steve and his identical twin brother followed their father into the Army. Colonel Steve Stevenson was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Infantry, in the Regular Army as a ROTC Distinguished Graduate from The University of Texas and assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell and then Vietnam. After combat tours as a "Grunt" and then a Green Beret, he transferred to the Air Force to become an F-4 Phantom pilot, then A-10 Warthog driver and all around "Joint" Special Operations type. He commanded at Infantry Platoon and Company, Air Force Squadron and Wing levels. He served as TAC Director of Joint Matters with the Army, Navy and Marine Corps staffs. Steve retired from the Air Force, flew as Chief Pilot for a Petroleum Corporation; and then joined a national financial management company in San Antonio, Texas. For fifty years he loved to fly and jump out of airplanes, habits he continues in retirement. Retired from the corporate world, Steve lives in Bulverde, Texas, and is still married to Claire, his wonderful bride of over 46 years. They have two grown sons.
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