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Sgt Hawk
Book by Clay, Patrick
Paperback
First published June 1, 1979
224 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Clay
21 books4 followersPatrick Clay was born a fifth generation Texas in Galena Park, Texas, and graduated fifth in his class from St. Thomas High School. He operated a locksmith shop while attending law school, and graduated magna cum laude and fourth in his class from South Texas College of Law. While waiting for the bar results, he began writing, and started Sgt. Hawk in February 1977. A well-known New York agent expressed interest and presented it to publishers, also put it into consideration for a television movie. It finally sold to Leisure Books in 1978, and three more books followed through 1982. The author began a solo law practice and gave up writing. After fourteen years, he went to work for the federal government as an attorney, where he stayed for another thirty years. The podcast, Paperback Warrior, rekindled his interest in Sgt. Hawk and some old Sgt. Hawk manuscripts. Wolfpack Publishing reprinted the original series, as well as several new installments. Patrick’s father was a disabled veteran, who served in the South Pacific during World War II. Six uncles also fought in the South Pacific, and Patrick was named after one of them who served on a U. S. Navy destroyer with four battle stars. Another uncle was at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked in 1941.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 30, 2025
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In 1979, Belmont issued the eponymous Sgt. Hawk, the first of four published novels authored by Patrick Clay featuring a gruff, tough-as-leather Marine Sergeant named James Hawk. Like Len Levinson's Rat Bastards, the series is set in WW2 on the chain of islands making up the bloody Pacific Theater. That campaign continues in 1980's Return of Sgt. Hawk, the series' second installment.
The novel begins as American Army and Naval forces are thrashing the Japanese occupied Philippine Islands. The assault is bureaucratically led by Kravanart, a bullheaded General who despises the U.S. Marine Corps. In an effort to assault the beach, Kravanart is persuaded to allow three companies, including Hawk, to hit the beachhead and engage the enemy. This heavy lift is welcomed by Hawk. Bloody, battered and shirtless, he scorches his Thompson extinguishing the bad guys while chomping on a plug of tobacco. After the assault, Hawk and the rest of the Marines are ordered to simply camp and wait while the Army and Navy clean up the mess and take the spoils.
In a small village, Hawk befriends a young American woman named Amelia and her cowardly fiance. The trouble begins when Hawk and company are left to “camp” for weeks on end simply waiting for Kravanart to allow them to fight. Eventually, tempers flare and Hawk storms a dense jungle hill, kills everything and stacks the bodies despite the orders to stand down. While the Marines are dishing out the damage, the village is captured by the Japanese forces and Amelia is taken. To complicate matters, Kravanart becomes angered with Hawk's defiance and orders an Army strike-force to search and kill the Marines.
Unlike the series debut, which combined a murder-mystery with gun-blazing action, Clay really branches out here and diversifies the narrative with a variety of subplots across multiple locations. The most interesting of these is a unique fantasy element that presents itself in what is otherwise a war-torn plot. Hawk learns that not only was Amelia captured, but that she was sold to a race of primitive men. In true Robert Howard fashion, Hawk breaks into a castle, fights enemies in a temple and even rescues Amelia from a dungeon filled with poisonous gas. There's really something for everyone – nautical adventure, military missions, shoot 'em ups, a heist, team-based combat and romance – through 225-pages of suspense and action.
I just can't say enough good things about this Sgt. Hawk series thus far. These first two installments are well-written, clever and fairly unique with a central character who is just a tough son-of-a-bitch. His mannerisms, dialogue, finesse and firepower should appeal to fans of rough 'n rowdy action novels no matter if it's a World War or a range war. He's a lovable, violent white-hat hero clearly created by a fan of those genres. Track this one down as it is truly something special.
Buy a copy of this book HERE
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Labels: Sgt Hawk, WW2
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Sgt. Hawk #01 - Sgt. Hawk
The first “Sgt Hawk” paperback was published by Belmont Tower in 1979. The novel features a heroic, gruff US Marine Sergeant leading soldiers in the South Pacific Theater of World War 2. Not much is known about author Patrick Clay, but the book was apparently successful enough to warrant three sequels - “Return of Sgt Hawk” (1980), “Under Attack” (1981), and “Tiger Island” (1982). I'm a sucker for Belmont's military fiction and “Sgt Hawk” generally receives positive reviews. I'm digging in.
Like Len Levinson's 'Rat Bastards', Sgt Hawk's platoon is made up of hardened, battle-scarred grunts with vulgar mouths. Hawk is a country boy from Mississippi, thrust into leadership by wielding an uncanny fighting spirit. In many ways, Hawk could be a misplaced western hero superimposed onto war-torn Japanese Islands. He's a lovable character with a deep accent, an attribute that helps calm the civilian population while also motivating his troops. When readers are first introduced to Hawk, he's a monumental workhorse leading his men through dense foliage to destroy a pillbox. He takes the hardest route himself before risking his soldier's lives. Hawk's that kinda guy.
After an early skirmish, Hawk and fifteen troops are offered a special assignment. As the US pinches the eastern portion of the island, US intelligence fears that the Japanese will retreat to the northwest quadrant. Hawk's role is to protect a Dutch rubber plantation, an asset being utilized by the Allies. Once Hawk arrives at the plantation, the narrative settles into the cusp of the story – Hawk's interaction with the plantation's wealthy owner and family while trying to solve...a murder mystery.
The Van Speer family have owned and operated the plantation for fifteen years and don't immediately welcome Hawk and his men. Cut-off from the rest of Europe, the Van Speers don't fully grasp the war's impact. The family's oldest daughter, Gretchen, is smitten with Hawk and the two form a budding romance over the course of a few weeks. While Hawk and his men await the inevitable conflict, they appear to have an enemy on the farm. The platoon is slowly picked off one-by-one in a macabre “Ten Little Indians” series of murders. Could one of Hawk's men be a traitor? Or, is it an early advance of Japanese forces?
Patrick Clay does a tremendous job in maintaining the suspense until the very end. I had an early theory that panned out, but it kept me guessing for the majority of the book. The author propels the narrative in a multitude of ways. The romance between Hawk and Gretchen adds depth to these characters and allows the rock-solid Hawk character to become soft for readers. The murder mystery is slowly developed and adds a touch of eerie isolation. But, when the action hits, it's non-stop brutality that comes in waves.
“Sgt Hawk” delivers a gritty, violent war tale with a unique murder mystery as an added touch. The sequels are fairly pricey and, to my knowledge, aren't available as ebooks. In particular, the third book seems to be the rarest, pitching a double-digit prices online. Against my better judgement, I spent and arm and a leg to buy the remaining books. This is an exciting series with a ton of potential, and I'm excited to review the batch.
Buy a copy of this book HERE
Posted by Paperback Warrior at 6:00 AM 1 comment:
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Labels: Sgt Hawk, WW2
In 1979, Belmont issued the eponymous Sgt. Hawk, the first of four published novels authored by Patrick Clay featuring a gruff, tough-as-leather Marine Sergeant named James Hawk. Like Len Levinson's Rat Bastards, the series is set in WW2 on the chain of islands making up the bloody Pacific Theater. That campaign continues in 1980's Return of Sgt. Hawk, the series' second installment.
The novel begins as American Army and Naval forces are thrashing the Japanese occupied Philippine Islands. The assault is bureaucratically led by Kravanart, a bullheaded General who despises the U.S. Marine Corps. In an effort to assault the beach, Kravanart is persuaded to allow three companies, including Hawk, to hit the beachhead and engage the enemy. This heavy lift is welcomed by Hawk. Bloody, battered and shirtless, he scorches his Thompson extinguishing the bad guys while chomping on a plug of tobacco. After the assault, Hawk and the rest of the Marines are ordered to simply camp and wait while the Army and Navy clean up the mess and take the spoils.
In a small village, Hawk befriends a young American woman named Amelia and her cowardly fiance. The trouble begins when Hawk and company are left to “camp” for weeks on end simply waiting for Kravanart to allow them to fight. Eventually, tempers flare and Hawk storms a dense jungle hill, kills everything and stacks the bodies despite the orders to stand down. While the Marines are dishing out the damage, the village is captured by the Japanese forces and Amelia is taken. To complicate matters, Kravanart becomes angered with Hawk's defiance and orders an Army strike-force to search and kill the Marines.
Unlike the series debut, which combined a murder-mystery with gun-blazing action, Clay really branches out here and diversifies the narrative with a variety of subplots across multiple locations. The most interesting of these is a unique fantasy element that presents itself in what is otherwise a war-torn plot. Hawk learns that not only was Amelia captured, but that she was sold to a race of primitive men. In true Robert Howard fashion, Hawk breaks into a castle, fights enemies in a temple and even rescues Amelia from a dungeon filled with poisonous gas. There's really something for everyone – nautical adventure, military missions, shoot 'em ups, a heist, team-based combat and romance – through 225-pages of suspense and action.
I just can't say enough good things about this Sgt. Hawk series thus far. These first two installments are well-written, clever and fairly unique with a central character who is just a tough son-of-a-bitch. His mannerisms, dialogue, finesse and firepower should appeal to fans of rough 'n rowdy action novels no matter if it's a World War or a range war. He's a lovable, violent white-hat hero clearly created by a fan of those genres. Track this one down as it is truly something special.
Buy a copy of this book HERE
Posted by Paperback Warrior at 6:00 AM No comments:
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BlogThis!
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Labels: Sgt Hawk, WW2
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Sgt. Hawk #01 - Sgt. Hawk
The first “Sgt Hawk” paperback was published by Belmont Tower in 1979. The novel features a heroic, gruff US Marine Sergeant leading soldiers in the South Pacific Theater of World War 2. Not much is known about author Patrick Clay, but the book was apparently successful enough to warrant three sequels - “Return of Sgt Hawk” (1980), “Under Attack” (1981), and “Tiger Island” (1982). I'm a sucker for Belmont's military fiction and “Sgt Hawk” generally receives positive reviews. I'm digging in.
Like Len Levinson's 'Rat Bastards', Sgt Hawk's platoon is made up of hardened, battle-scarred grunts with vulgar mouths. Hawk is a country boy from Mississippi, thrust into leadership by wielding an uncanny fighting spirit. In many ways, Hawk could be a misplaced western hero superimposed onto war-torn Japanese Islands. He's a lovable character with a deep accent, an attribute that helps calm the civilian population while also motivating his troops. When readers are first introduced to Hawk, he's a monumental workhorse leading his men through dense foliage to destroy a pillbox. He takes the hardest route himself before risking his soldier's lives. Hawk's that kinda guy.
After an early skirmish, Hawk and fifteen troops are offered a special assignment. As the US pinches the eastern portion of the island, US intelligence fears that the Japanese will retreat to the northwest quadrant. Hawk's role is to protect a Dutch rubber plantation, an asset being utilized by the Allies. Once Hawk arrives at the plantation, the narrative settles into the cusp of the story – Hawk's interaction with the plantation's wealthy owner and family while trying to solve...a murder mystery.
The Van Speer family have owned and operated the plantation for fifteen years and don't immediately welcome Hawk and his men. Cut-off from the rest of Europe, the Van Speers don't fully grasp the war's impact. The family's oldest daughter, Gretchen, is smitten with Hawk and the two form a budding romance over the course of a few weeks. While Hawk and his men await the inevitable conflict, they appear to have an enemy on the farm. The platoon is slowly picked off one-by-one in a macabre “Ten Little Indians” series of murders. Could one of Hawk's men be a traitor? Or, is it an early advance of Japanese forces?
Patrick Clay does a tremendous job in maintaining the suspense until the very end. I had an early theory that panned out, but it kept me guessing for the majority of the book. The author propels the narrative in a multitude of ways. The romance between Hawk and Gretchen adds depth to these characters and allows the rock-solid Hawk character to become soft for readers. The murder mystery is slowly developed and adds a touch of eerie isolation. But, when the action hits, it's non-stop brutality that comes in waves.
“Sgt Hawk” delivers a gritty, violent war tale with a unique murder mystery as an added touch. The sequels are fairly pricey and, to my knowledge, aren't available as ebooks. In particular, the third book seems to be the rarest, pitching a double-digit prices online. Against my better judgement, I spent and arm and a leg to buy the remaining books. This is an exciting series with a ton of potential, and I'm excited to review the batch.
Buy a copy of this book HERE
Posted by Paperback Warrior at 6:00 AM 1 comment:
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Labels: Sgt Hawk, WW2
February 26, 2024
Hey, there, my fellow War & Military readers! Here's today's review of 'Sgt. Hawk.'
I've got something special for you—a series written in the middle of 2022, but you can kick them off again with a bang! Meet 'Sgt. Hawk,' the star of our show. Hawk isn't your average soldier. He's raw, unfiltered, and always ready for action. Hawk brings an intensity that'll keep you on the edge of your seat, whether he's on the front lines or behind enemy lines. Picture this: white sand beaches, adrenaline-pumping firefights, and a touch of dark humor. That's Sgt. Hawk in a nutshell. He's got a knack for getting into trouble, but he's also got the skills to get out of it—usually with a smirk and a well-timed one-liner. So buckle up, my friends. Sgt. Hawk is about to take you on a wild ride through danger zones, covert ops, and high-stakes missions. Get ready for explosions, double-crosses, and maybe even a little romance (because even battle-hardened soldiers need some love). Stay tuned—I promise you won't want to miss a single chapter of this heart-pounding adventure!
• ASIN: B0B176M96N
• Publisher: Rough Edges Press
• Publication Date: 5/31/2022
• File Size: 4265 KB
• Print Length: 239 pages
• Genre: War & Military Action Fiction, War Fiction,
I've got something special for you—a series written in the middle of 2022, but you can kick them off again with a bang! Meet 'Sgt. Hawk,' the star of our show. Hawk isn't your average soldier. He's raw, unfiltered, and always ready for action. Hawk brings an intensity that'll keep you on the edge of your seat, whether he's on the front lines or behind enemy lines. Picture this: white sand beaches, adrenaline-pumping firefights, and a touch of dark humor. That's Sgt. Hawk in a nutshell. He's got a knack for getting into trouble, but he's also got the skills to get out of it—usually with a smirk and a well-timed one-liner. So buckle up, my friends. Sgt. Hawk is about to take you on a wild ride through danger zones, covert ops, and high-stakes missions. Get ready for explosions, double-crosses, and maybe even a little romance (because even battle-hardened soldiers need some love). Stay tuned—I promise you won't want to miss a single chapter of this heart-pounding adventure!
• ASIN: B0B176M96N
• Publisher: Rough Edges Press
• Publication Date: 5/31/2022
• File Size: 4265 KB
• Print Length: 239 pages
• Genre: War & Military Action Fiction, War Fiction,
November 6, 2025
Not very good
I made it to maybe 25%, as much as I could take.
I am an avid reader, mostly military, scifi, westerns, anything exciting. I had hopes for this story, they didnt make it far. I won't blast the story, not much there. The characters, hmm, plot, hmmmm, well.
I'm sure the author had hopes of writing a great novel here, hmm. Very, very seldom do I not finish a book, there wasn't enough to keep me going, period.
I made it to maybe 25%, as much as I could take.
I am an avid reader, mostly military, scifi, westerns, anything exciting. I had hopes for this story, they didnt make it far. I won't blast the story, not much there. The characters, hmm, plot, hmmmm, well.
I'm sure the author had hopes of writing a great novel here, hmm. Very, very seldom do I not finish a book, there wasn't enough to keep me going, period.
September 15, 2022
Wwii
I steadied of Sgt Hawk early on. We just didn't hit it off. Well written tale of an era and setting I like.
I steadied of Sgt Hawk early on. We just didn't hit it off. Well written tale of an era and setting I like.
November 27, 2022
Meh
Finished the book hoping it would get better. Nope. I just could not get a hold of the storyline. One
Finished the book hoping it would get better. Nope. I just could not get a hold of the storyline. One
December 8, 2022
Interesting read
Stories like this one preserve history. These events may repeat in the future albeit in different clothing, but not in essence.
Stories like this one preserve history. These events may repeat in the future albeit in different clothing, but not in essence.
February 2, 2023
I like your books. However, one thing I note is, as an Army veteran, in all of the Sgt Hawk books, they expend hundreds of rounds and grenades; but, are never resupplied.
June 15, 2024
Gruesome, fast paced, I believe factual
A twist no one would suspect. A love story that probably happened many times on WWII. A story that makes you truly wonder....
A twist no one would suspect. A love story that probably happened many times on WWII. A story that makes you truly wonder....
December 19, 2025
Disappointing
I thought it was a war novel not a love story. Cover misleading. 165 pages before any action took place.
I thought it was a war novel not a love story. Cover misleading. 165 pages before any action took place.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews