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Delta Sierra: A Novel of The Vietnam War
DELTA SIERRA, a novel of the air war over North Vietnam, describes the heavy price paid by the pilots who flew missions during the war. Gary Bishop Deale, a U.S., Air Force fighter pilot, receives a duty assignment which transfers him to Southeast Asia. The pilots serving there execute daily bombing missions over North Vietnam and Laos. North Vietnam is heavily defended by weapons supplied by the Soviet Union and also Communist China. The Americans pay a great price in lives and aircraft. Meantime, Allison Faith Deale, Gary's wife, is enrolled in graduate studies at the Marine Lab in Beaufort, North Carolina. Fully aware of the grave dangers Gary faces each day, she waits for her husband's safe return. DELTA SIERRA, a novel of conflict, loss and redemption, examines the tragic aftermath of the Vietnam War in the eyes of those who fought and also those who remained behind.
410 pages, Paperback
Published September 25, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 12, 2019
Reviewed as part of the MWSA 2019 Awards Program.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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May 13, 2019MWSA Review
Larry Fry’s Delta Sierra is a riveting tale that perfectly captures the experience of the Vietnam attack pilots during one of America’s most controversial conflicts.
Gary Deale is a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate who wants to fly fighters. Realizing his dream, he is assigned to fly the F-105 Thunderchief, more commonly known as the “Thud,” and sent to Vietnam. Though designed and designated as a fighter, Thuds were used in Vietnam as attack aircraft, and soon Gary is going deep into North Vietnam to deliver bombs on target. Thud pilots paid a terrible price, with almost half of all Thuds produced being shot down in combat. Will he be able to complete a 100-mission tour?
Back home, Gary’s new bride Allison waits in anxious anticipation for his return. Every waking moment she wonders if she will see him again, or if at that moment, he is even still alive.
The author does a wonderful job of telling two stories, those of Gary and Allison. Gary’s story is told in third person, and Allison’s in first. It’s a bit unusual to switch back and forth between the two, but Fry makes it work. He masterfully weaves the two stories together, leaving the reader as much in the dark as Allison about her husband.
This is a very well done story, with gripping action, tender moments, and real human motion. Though fiction, it feels very real to the reader, and toward the end was very difficult to put down. Those looking to read about the true combat experience both in theater and on the home front will appreciate this book.
Review by Rob Ballister (May 2019)
Larry Fry’s Delta Sierra is a riveting tale that perfectly captures the experience of the Vietnam attack pilots during one of America’s most controversial conflicts.
Gary Deale is a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate who wants to fly fighters. Realizing his dream, he is assigned to fly the F-105 Thunderchief, more commonly known as the “Thud,” and sent to Vietnam. Though designed and designated as a fighter, Thuds were used in Vietnam as attack aircraft, and soon Gary is going deep into North Vietnam to deliver bombs on target. Thud pilots paid a terrible price, with almost half of all Thuds produced being shot down in combat. Will he be able to complete a 100-mission tour?
Back home, Gary’s new bride Allison waits in anxious anticipation for his return. Every waking moment she wonders if she will see him again, or if at that moment, he is even still alive.
The author does a wonderful job of telling two stories, those of Gary and Allison. Gary’s story is told in third person, and Allison’s in first. It’s a bit unusual to switch back and forth between the two, but Fry makes it work. He masterfully weaves the two stories together, leaving the reader as much in the dark as Allison about her husband.
This is a very well done story, with gripping action, tender moments, and real human motion. Though fiction, it feels very real to the reader, and toward the end was very difficult to put down. Those looking to read about the true combat experience both in theater and on the home front will appreciate this book.
Review by Rob Ballister (May 2019)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews