Document created: 10 December 01
Published Air & Space Power Journal - Winter 2001

The Second-Luckiest Pilot: Adventures in Military Aviation by D. K. Tooker. Naval Institute Press (http://www.usni.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/ press/press.html?E+scstore), 2062 Generals Highway, Annapolis, Maryland 21401, 2000, 216 pages, $27.95.

D. K. Tooker, a pilot who flew nearly 150 combat missions over Korea and retired as a Marine Corps lieutenant colonel in 1968, describes his personal experiences along with those of his fellow pilots in The Second-Luckiest Pilot, an exhilarating book. Each chapter is dedicated to a different, true-life incident concerning survival. Most of the accounts describe surrealistic events that usually involve cheating death—but not always. Some of the events are heartbreaking instances of lives lost.

The title refers to Tooker’s personal story, describing the time he ejects from his aircraft, lands in the sea, and is luckily rescued by a Navy destroyer. Although some accounts are autobiographical, most of them relate other pilots’ bone-chilling encounters.

Tooker’s narrative extends from World War II to the 1990s. In one example, an F-8 Crusader pilot falls 15,000 feet with an unopened chute but survives, suffering two broken ankles, a severed tendon in his left foot, a fractured right pelvis, a fractured vertebra, a partially collapsed left lung, and completely inactive kidneys and intestines. In one account, however, Lady Luck is not so forgiving. Trapped in a burning Corsair, Ensign Jesse Brown has no choice other than sending his help away and facing death alone. Tooker offers that “it is only for God to know whether the fire, the cold, or the enemy stilled Jesse Brown’s heart forever.” The men involved in the rescue attempt cannot forget this haunting event.

With the exception of Jesse Brown, Tooker knew each person he writes about; for that reason, he is able to bring his own insights into play. Thus, he conveys to his readers not only the details of the incidents, but also the victims’ thought processes and emotional experiences.

Photographs scattered throughout the book complement the stories, imbuing them with realism and personality. They capture the camaraderie and dedication exemplified by these men throughout their careers.

The book is heavy with emotion, evoking laughter in one chapter, disbelief in the next, and tears in yet another. Obviously not a scholarly study, The Second-Luckiest Pilot concerns itself with people and emotions rather than wars and politics. Anyone who appreciates the dangers of military aviation should read this delightful book and be prepared for an unforgettable, touching experience.

C1C Brooke Carr, USAF
USAF Academy, Colorado

Disclaimer

The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.