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When the Eagle Soared
This is a chronological account in memoir form of a USAF officer/fighter pilot's career. It covers the military side (training, aircraft flown, operational and staff assignment, base locations and positions held, career path and promotions, etc.) and the family side (family separations, frequent uprooting of children to new schools and communities, wife's worry about the dangers of flying jet fighters, and more) of an Air Force career during the Cold War and the Vietnam War.
The book does not address policy, strategy, doctrine and political considerations (except briefly regarding the Vietnam War). It is instead a lighter read about how one man answered his Country's call to duty and enjoyed flying high performance fighter aircraft and the opportunity to serve in various countries and from many different bases.
It is a look back at a time in the Air Force when the mission was clear, and the enemy and his capabilities were well known. It was a time when morale always seemed to be high. Considering the situation then, one can almost be nostalgic for the Cold War as compared for example with the war on terrorism. It was a time when military life was at times hard on families, but no where near as tough as currently (2014). All told this is a story about a successful Air Force career that was most enjoyable and personally rewarding.
The book does not address policy, strategy, doctrine and political considerations (except briefly regarding the Vietnam War). It is instead a lighter read about how one man answered his Country's call to duty and enjoyed flying high performance fighter aircraft and the opportunity to serve in various countries and from many different bases.
It is a look back at a time in the Air Force when the mission was clear, and the enemy and his capabilities were well known. It was a time when morale always seemed to be high. Considering the situation then, one can almost be nostalgic for the Cold War as compared for example with the war on terrorism. It was a time when military life was at times hard on families, but no where near as tough as currently (2014). All told this is a story about a successful Air Force career that was most enjoyable and personally rewarding.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 11, 2017
This is a memoir by one of my former commanders. I read it in short segments over the course of the summer, primarily to learn what it was like to become an Air Force fighter pilot in the 1950s & 60s. I also took notes for the writing of my own memoir, a project I work on between distractions.
The Don Delauter I remember is a good man, and it was fun to read what he had to say about a long and fulfilling Air Force career. His memoir will be of primary interest to fellow Air Force officers who served with him, were stationed with him, or who flew with him, which is the case with me.
"When the Eagle Soared" is a self-published book, which shows in the occasional typo or eccentrically-spelled word, but its conversational tone carries you along, and Delauter has a gift for explaining technical things to a general audience. I learned from it and enjoyed reading it ... and I'm looking forward to the promised memoirs a few other men I served with, just as I hope they're looking forward to mine.
The Don Delauter I remember is a good man, and it was fun to read what he had to say about a long and fulfilling Air Force career. His memoir will be of primary interest to fellow Air Force officers who served with him, were stationed with him, or who flew with him, which is the case with me.
"When the Eagle Soared" is a self-published book, which shows in the occasional typo or eccentrically-spelled word, but its conversational tone carries you along, and Delauter has a gift for explaining technical things to a general audience. I learned from it and enjoyed reading it ... and I'm looking forward to the promised memoirs a few other men I served with, just as I hope they're looking forward to mine.
October 17, 2025
In the past I was an active aircraft spotter, which for me was taking pictures of aircraft. Especially the military types were my preference. I was not living near the Soesterberg airbase, but once I had the opportunity to travel, I did visit it quite often. Near the taxiway was this great spot for photography and seeing the F-15's and other jets taxing and flying by filled many a wonderful day. I have had a blast so many days there. When I noted somewhere that mr. Delauter had written a book about his flying experiences I needed to pick it up. He had been the commander of the 32TFS stationed there during the period that I was drooling along the fence.
This book gives the reader a great and enjoyable read of what life would have looked like if you had chosen a career in the United States Air Force. You not only get to see the military side of it, but also the impact it had on the family.
The book is well written in a nice, almost conversational, kind of way. I finished it in no time (and will now be moving on to his second book, covering the 32TFS era) and enjoyed every minute of it.
Would have liked to give the book four stars, but there is quite a high number of typos in the book. Me being a proofreader (hobbywise for a number of boardwargame companies) doesn't help to simply ignore this. I would have loved to go over the book before publication and getting it right. Does this distract from the book in any way. No it does not, the typos can easily be ignored, but it would have made it somewhat better.
Enjoyable read!
(mr. Delauter, thanks for your service and the joy you gave us at CNA)
This book gives the reader a great and enjoyable read of what life would have looked like if you had chosen a career in the United States Air Force. You not only get to see the military side of it, but also the impact it had on the family.
The book is well written in a nice, almost conversational, kind of way. I finished it in no time (and will now be moving on to his second book, covering the 32TFS era) and enjoyed every minute of it.
Would have liked to give the book four stars, but there is quite a high number of typos in the book. Me being a proofreader (hobbywise for a number of boardwargame companies) doesn't help to simply ignore this. I would have loved to go over the book before publication and getting it right. Does this distract from the book in any way. No it does not, the typos can easily be ignored, but it would have made it somewhat better.
Enjoyable read!
(mr. Delauter, thanks for your service and the joy you gave us at CNA)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews