The author of this book flew in WW2, Korea and Vietnam. This alone should narrow the search for who he was - if you want to know. You should, because this is a very well-written book both as a self-portrait of someone as he ages, following his career through the air force from the thrill and fear and confusion of combat to the drunken boredom of squadron life, and as a study of the times through which he lives. Elements of plot, of character and of description are really nicely handled and it's a book that's stayed with me ever since I first read it some fifteen years ago. 'Kelly Rollins', you're a very good writer.