PDF The Magnificent Mitscher (Bluejacket Books) by Theodore Taylor in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Star in the Greatest GenerationBy KenOnly having heard his name very infrequently; I was not aware of how critical a role Mitscher played in U.S. Navy aviation. He was THE MAN among only a few of THE MEN in the development of the naval air arm of the US Navy. As regards the war (WW2) in the Pacific this naval officer was key to the US defeating Japan. His role was pivotal as only a few other battle commanders' were. It takes one's breath away what Mitscher and his Task Force accomplished. Routinely it was super-human and selfless; such amazing heroes. Throughout the book I was deeply touched by the accounts of Mitscher's; and all his officers and men's; bravery. Absolutely incredible.10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Understand the character of a great combat leader and fighterBy SlopeGardenerReading the biography of Admiral Marc Mitscher; I realized the narrative provides firsthand comprehensive information. Theodore Taylor took persistent advantage of his access to both people who served with Mitscher and classified records. His sources are well documented. Taylor was in a position to iterate with primary sources on who; what; when; why and how. His descriptions and fast moving narrative convey tempo and setting of how Mitscher operated and led during WW2. The book made me feel like an observer as Mitscher pioneered and invented U.S. Naval carrier taskforce doctrine as he anticipated and dealt with formidable Japanese forces. I suspect Mitscher would have appreciated how Taylor matter-of-factly conveyed Mitscher's inherent bravery and combative nature. As a result of serving on Mitscher's staff; my father developed a profound respect for his character and leadership. After studying the anecdotes and personal stories; I more fully understand why Admiral Mitscher is held in such high esteem by those who served in his commands.The Magnificent Mitscher (Bluejacket Books Paperback)5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Pioneer naval aviator and fast carrier task force commanderBy William S. GrassThis is the biography of Admiral Marc Mitscher; first published in 1954. Mitscher was a pioneer naval aviator and commander of the fast carrier task force in the second half of the Pacific War. The biographer; Theodore Taylor; has a much tougher job than most in presenting a full picture of Mitscher since Mitscher destroyed his personal papers shortly after the war. By doing so; the Admiral assured posterity that he would remain a remote figure; despite the fine job Taylor does with the sources he had available up to 1954. The 1991 edition of The Magnificent Mitscher includes an introduction by Jeffrey Barlow that further illuminates Mitscher's life and gives some background on Taylor's research.As other reviewers have stated; the history of Mitscher's life is in large part the history of naval aviation through the end of WW2. He received his wings in 1916; and was designated naval aviator number 33. He participated in the trans-Atlantic flight of the "Nancys" in 1919. He went through various assignments up until 1941; where he became skipper of the new aircraft carrier Hornet. He commanded Hornet in the Doolittle strike on Tokyo and the Battle of Midway. Later he commanded all air forces in the Solomon Islands. In early 1944 he became commander of the fast carrier strike force; designated Task Force 38/58; depending on whether Halsey or Spruance was commanding the fleet at the time. One of the most interesting parts of the book is the relationship between Mitscher and his chief of staff; Arleigh Burke; who Mitscher initially resented for coming from a non-aviation background. Taylor undoubtedly interviewed Burke at length for that part of the narrative. Mitscher in time came to value Burke very highly.By writing The Magnificent Mitscher within a decade of the end of the war; Taylor was able to largely offset his lack of abundant written sources by interviewing many of the still-living people who had served directly with Mitscher. Almost sixty years later; any new biographer would not have that opportunity. Should an attempt be made; however; the new biographer would have to address more closely the poor performance of Hornet's air group at Midway; and Mitscher's role therein; which has come under scrutiny in recent decades.