Pushing the Envelope: The Career of Fighter Ace and Test Pilot Marion Carl

by Marion E. Carl, Barrett Tillman

First published in 1994, this stirring autobiography of a fighter and test pilot takes readers full throttle through Carl's imposing list of "firsts." Beginning with his World War II career, he gained such commendations as the first Marine Corps ace, among the first Marines ever to fly a helicopter, and the first Marine to land aboard an aircraft carrier. His combat duty included the momentous battles at Midway and Guadalcanal.

Not one to rest on his laurels, however, Carl participated in photoreconnaissance operations over Red China in 1955 and flew missions in Vietnam. In peacetim, Carl gained fame for "pushing the envelope" as a test pilot, adding the world's altitude and peace records to his wartime feats and becoming the first U.S. military aviator to wear a full pressure suit. Such achievements also led to Carl's being the first living Marine admitted to the Naval Aviation Hall of Honor, as well as the first Marine to be named to the Navy Carrier Aviation Test Pilots Hall of Honor. This very readable memoir is as forthright and compelling as the man it chronicles.

Genres: World War II, Military History, Biography, Aviation

133 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1994

Reviews

[KOMET]

This concise book represents the story of a unique individual. Marion E. Carl was, perhaps, one of the finest aviators who ever lived - FULL STOP. A natural pilot, he soloed after 2 hours of dual instruction. He later went on to become the U.S. Marine Corps' first fighter ace, seeing action at the Battles of Midway and Guadalcanal during the Second World War. (A little more than 20 years later, Carl commanded a Marine combat air wing in Vietnam, flying several missions himself.)

Carl became known for achieving a number of "firsts." He became the first Marine to fly a helicopter, the first Marine to land a jet on an aircraft carrier, and he also set a number of altitude and speed records. Carl also was an outstanding test pilot, and by the time, he retired from the USMC (United States Marine Corps), he had flown 14,000 flight hours.