FALL 2017 - Volume 64, Number 3 WWW.AFHISTORY.ORG know the past .....Shape the Future The Air Force Historical Foundation Founded on May 27, 1953 by Gen Carl A. “Tooey” Spaatz MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS and other air power pioneers, the Air Force Historical All members receive our exciting and informative Foundation (AFHF) is a nonprofi t tax exempt organization. Air Power History Journal, either electronically or It is dedicated to the preservation, perpetuation and on paper, covering: all aspects of aerospace history appropriate publication of the history and traditions of American aviation, with emphasis on the U.S. Air Force, its • Chronicles the great campaigns and predecessor organizations, and the men and women whose the great leaders lives and dreams were devoted to fl ight. The Foundation • Eyewitness accounts and historical articles serves all components of the United States Air Force— Active, Reserve and Air National Guard. • In depth resources to museums and activities, to keep members connected to the latest and AFHF strives to make available to the public and greatest events. today’s government planners and decision makers information that is relevant and informative about Preserve the legacy, stay connected: all aspects of air and space power. By doing so, the • Membership helps preserve the legacy of current Foundation hopes to assure the nation profi ts from past and future US air force personnel. experiences as it helps keep the U.S. Air Force the most modern and effective military force in the world. • Provides reliable and accurate accounts of historical events. The Foundation’s four primary activities include a quarterly journal Air Power History, a book program, a • Establish connections between generations. biennial symposium, and an awards program. Fall 2017 -Volume 64, Number 3 WWW.AFHISTORY.ORG know the past .....Shape the Future Features Leaflets, Loudspeakers and Radios, Oh, My! Robert J. Kodosky 5 Reentry Vehicle Development Leading to the Minuteman Avco Mark 5 and11 David K. Stumpf 13 The French Pilot Training Experience at Oscoda Army Air Field During World War II David K. Vaughan 33 Operation Vittles: The Berlin Airlift Daniel L. Haulman 47 Book Reviews Fighter Pilot By L. C. Beck, Jr. Review by Robert Huddleston 52 Wings of Valor: Honoring America’s Fighter Aces By Nick Del Calzo & Peter Collier Review by Steve Agoratus 52 Gear Up, Mishaps Down By Robert F. Dunn Review by Golda Eldridge 53 Fighters over the Fleet By Norman Friedman Review by Joseph Romito 54 The Flight: Charles Lindbergh’s Daring and Immortal 1927 Transatlantic Crossing By Dan Hampton Review by Robert Huddleston 54 So Far from Home: Royal Air Force and Free French Air Force Flight Training at Maxwell & Gunter... By Robert B. Kane Review by Steven D. Ellis 55 Fighter! Ten Killer Planes of World War II By Jim Laurier Review by Steve Agoratus 56 Hangar Flying, Below the Zone and Roles and Mission By Merrill A. McPeak . Review by Golda Eldridge 57 Airpower Applied: U.S., NATO, and Israeli Combat Experience By John Andreas Olsen, ed. Review by John F. O’Connell 58 Marked for Death: The First War in the Air By James Hamilton-Paterson Review by Steven D. Ellis 59 Hidden Figures: The American Dream & the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathemeticians Who... By Margot Lee Shetterly Review by Lawrence R. Benson 59 War Birds: The Diary of a Great War Pilot By Elliott White Springs Review by Robert Huddleston 62 The Way of the Strangers: Encounters with the Islamic State By Graeme Wood Review by John Cirafici 63 Milestones of Flight: The Epic of Aviation with the National Air and Space Museum By F. Robert Van Der Linden, Alex M. Spencer & Review by Steve Agoratus 59 Thomas J. Paone Departments President’s Message 4 Upcoming Events, Letters, and Reunions 61 New History Mystery 64 Upcoming Events, Letters, and Reunions 65 New History Mystery 68 COVER: A Minuteman missile launch from Vandenberg AFB, California. The Air Force Historical Foundation The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation Fall 2017 Volume 64 Number 3 Editor Richard I. Wolf Editor Emeritus Jacob Neufeld Air Force Historical Foundation Book Review Editor P.O. Box 790 Scott A. Willey Clinton, MD 20735-0790 (301) 736-1959 Advertising Jim Vertenten E-mail: [email protected] On the Web at http://www.afhistory.org Circulation Angela J. Bear Board of Directors Patron Members Lt Gen Christopher D. Miller, USAF (Ret.) Col Gerald F. Christeson, USAF (Ret.) Chairman Col Dennis M. Drew, USAF (Ret.) Lt Gen Charles L. Johnson II, USAF (Ret.) Maj Gen Charles J. Dunlap, Jr., USAF Air Power History (ISSN 1044-016X) is pro- First Vice Chairman Lt Col Raymond Fredette, USAF (Ret.) duced for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter by Lt Gen Nicholas B. Kehoe, USAF (Ret.) Dr. Rebecca Grant the Air Force Historical Foun dation. Second Vice Chairman Dr. Jerome V. Martin Prospective contributors should consult the Lt Gen Charles R. Heflebower, USAF (Ret.) Capt Robert Maxson, NOAA Lt Gen George D. Miller, USAF (Ret.) GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTORS at Secretary the back of this journal. Unsolicited manu- Mrs. Marilyn Moll Col Thomas A. Owens, USAF (Ret.) scripts will be returned only on specific Treasurer Col Bobby Moorhatch, USAF (Ret.) request. The Editor cannot accept responsibil- Col Clarence R. Anderegg, USAF (Ret.) Lt Col Raymond C. Tagge, USAF (Ret.) ity for any damage to or loss of the manu- Col Scott C. Bishop, USAF (Ret.) script. The Editor reserves the right to edit President’s Circle Col William J. Dalecky, USAF (Ret.) manuscripts and letters. Lt Col (Dr.) Dik Daso, USAF (Ret.) Col William J. Dalecky, USAF (Ret.) Lt Gen Robert J. Elder, USAF (Ret.) Lt Col Kenneth W. Sublett, USAF (Ret.) Address LETTERS TO THE EDITOR to: CMSgt Robert L. Frank, USAF (Ret.) Lt Col Steven Gress, Jr., USAF (Ret.) Benefactor Air Power History Lt Gen Charles R. Heflebower, USAF (Ret.) Mr. Darrell Dvorak 3043 Sunny Ridge Drive Ms. Jonna Doolittle Hoppes Odenton, MD 21113 e-mail: [email protected] Maj Gen Timothy C. Jones, USAF (Ret.) DONATIONS Mr. Michael Clarke Gen Lloyd W. Newton, USAF (Ret.) Correspondence regarding missed issues or MSgt Keith A. Reed, USAF (Ret.) Lt Gen Robert J. Elder, USAF (Ret.) Lt Gen Nicholas B. Kehoe, USAF (Ret.) changes of address should be addressed to the CIRCULATION OFFICE: Emeritus Gen Lloyd W. Newton, USAF (Ret.) Maj Gen Dale W. Meyerrose, USAF (Ret.) Maj Gen Dale W. Meyerrose, USAF (Ret.) Air Power History Chairman Lt Gen Christopher Miller, USAF (Ret.) P.O. Box 790 Lt Gen Stephen Wood, USAF (Ret.) Clinton, MD 20735-0790 (301) 736-1959 Editor, Air Power History CORPORATE SPONSORS e-mail: [email protected] Richard I. Wolf Gold Level ($10,000 or more) ADVERTISING Lockheed Martin Corporation Editor Emeritus, Air Power History Jim Vertenten Jacob Neufeld P.O. Box 790 Clinton, MD 20735-0790 (301) 736-1959 Staff e-mail: [email protected] Lt Col James A. Vertenten, USAF (Ret.) Secretary to the Board and Copyright © 2017 by the Air Force Historical Executive Director Foundation. All rights reserved. Mrs. Angela J. Bear, Office Manager Periodicals postage paid at Clinton, MD 20735 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Please send change of address to the Circulation Office. 2 AIR POWER History / FALL 2017 From the Editor In this issue, we cover a wide variety of topics, with the largest number of pages devot- ed to a slightly esoteric topic, ICBM re-entry vehicles. Our first article is in keeping with our coverage of the conflict in Vietnam in this year of commemoration. Robert Kodolsky has provided a most interesting story on psychological operations in Vietnam, concentrating on the leaflet programs. Our second article is by David Stumpf, a well-published author on missile operations, who has provided a lengthy, slightly scholarly piece on Minuteman missile re-entry vehicles. It did not appear to lend itself to being split over two issues, so it is shown here in its entire- ty. Our third article is a follow-on piece by David Vaughan on aircrew training at Oscoda Field during World War II. He previous ly wrote on the Tuskegee Airmen training there, and here, he discusses Free French and Royal Air Force training that took place at Oscoda. The fourth and final article is by a many times published contributor, Daniel Haulman, and his take on Operation Vittles, the Berlin Airlift in 1948-49. As always, we include the usual accompanying book reviews, eleven reviews encom- passing thirteen volumes, many of them rather intriguing. If you have read a book that seems to fit our subject category, and would like to contribute a review, take a look at the con- tact information on page 60 to send it to our book review editor. Finally, we include our lists of upcoming historical conferences and events, reunions, and a letter to the editor, all starting on page 61. Our next issue will include all of our annual award winners, as well as news of the pro- ceedings surrounding the winners receiving their awards. If you plan to attend the award banquet and ceremonies, be flexible and check our web site regularly at www.afhistory.org. Don’t miss the Message from the President on the page following as our new Foundation President settles into office. Hope you enjoy it all. Air Power History and the Air Force Historical Foundation disclaim responsibility for statements, either of fact or of opinion, made by contributors. The submission of an article, book review, or other communication with the intention that it be published in this journal shall be construed as prima facie evidence that the contributor willingly transfers the copyright to Air Power History and the Air Force Historical Foundation, which will, however, freely grant authors the right to reprint their own works, if published in the authors’ own works.