John's is one fine book! It was made more enjoyable for me by virtue of having served with him during our plowback days in VT-21, at Lemoore and on a USS Ranger cruise. We even cruised the Kings River out of Lemoore in a 15' aluminum boat froggin'. I also had the privilege of visiting with his co-author father at some length at a wedding reception and dinner. At the time, his Dad was 48 years old, with many years left as a "duster." I thought he was way too old to be messing around with airplanes, especially dusting. He had to leave the gathering at about 2300 because he had night spraying to do. I couldn't believe it! ~ Steve McDaniel

In My Father's Footsteps; a Story of Father and Son Naval Aviators; Jack and John Leslie; OnlineBinding, Jacksonville, Fla., 2015; soft cover, illustrated, 489 pages, glossary, bibliography. $15.99.

This book is a biography of two Naval Aviators – father, Jack Leslie and son, John Leslie. The narrative follows each aviator;s life through Naval Aviation training, operational combat missions and life experiences.

Jack Leslie participated in World War ll and the Korean War flying the frontline torpedo bomber TBF Avenger. During the closing era of WW II he was assigned to Torpedo Squadron (VT)-1. flying missions from USS Bennington (CV-20). Between the wars he was assigned to a Composite Squadron at NAS San Diego flying TBMs in an anti-submarine warfare training role. He also logged flight time in the SB2C Helldiver.

When military services downsized between WWll and the Korean War, Jack separated from active duty, moved to San Joaquin, California and became a crop duster pilot in the agricultural regions of the Central California valley. But when the U.S. Navy needed Naval Aviators for the Korean War, he was recalled to active duty. When the war ended, Jack Leslie was again separated from the service, returned to his life as a crop duster pilot and settled in Kerman, California.

Jack had a great aviation career- Naval Aviator, combat pilot, squadron pilot, instructor pilot and crop duster.

The book then follows son John through his Naval Aviation career. Once in the fleet he flew combat missions in the Vietnam War from Enterprise (CVAN-65), completed the course of instruction at the U.S.. Naval Test Pilot School, served in test and evaluation units, commanded a strike fighter squadron (VFA-25) flying from Constellation (CV-64) and was selected as commanding officer of the West Coast Hornet strike fighter Fleet Replacement Squadron (VFA-125). He also had aviation staff duties during his 21 years on active duty.

As impressive a Naval Aviation career John had, whenever he returned home he was known as Jack's son, thus the title In My Father's Footsteps.

After retirement from the U.S. Navy, John joined the Grumman Aerospace Corporation. He served as a test pilot in New York facilities until purchased by Northrop Aircraft Company, to become the Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC). He then relocated to NGC test and rework facility at St. Augustine, Florida. As a company test pilot, John was involved with test and evaluation of many of NGC aircraft and system upgrades including the F-14 Tomcat, A-6E Intruder, EA-6B Prowler and E-2C/D Hawkeye and Advanced Hawkeye.

John had a great aviation career-Naval Aviator, combat pilot, squadron pilot, test pilot, instructor pilot, aviation staff officer and company test pilot.

A fascinating aspect of the book is the personal stories and anecdotes of the many friends and colleagues that Jack and John shared. If you were stationed with them, you may be part of their story.
I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.  ~ CAPT Dennis W. Irelan, USN(Ret)

The Hook, – the official journal of The Tailhook Association Fall 2015 p 66