Short Rounds: Misfires that fall short of their target

by Jim Mattison

Overview

A memoir encompassing the author's 12 years in the US Air Force. A story of youthful idealism and lofty goals, fraught with missteps along the path from innocence to Vietnam War combat veteran and beyond. The author shares stories of heartbreak and playful antics, cold war experiences, combat memories and coming to terms with the realities of war.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798823101066
Publisher:	Barnes & Noble Press
Publication date:	08/18/2022
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.47(d)

About the Author

The author’s earliest memory of airplanes was flying with his father in a
Piper Cub at the age of three, buzzing his mom as she hung out laundry. Jim Mattison’s father was a US Air Force NCO, so Jim grew up around airplanes and aviation. A series of events culminated in his joining the Air Force during the Vietnam era, and he went to from calculating how not to be sent to war to volunteering for service in Special Ops where his actions earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross and eight Air Medals.
He spent his year in combat as a gunner on a “Shadow” gunship, an aircraft only recently declassified. The Tet Offensive coincided with his service. He was assigned to the Air Defense Command supporting the Cold War Defense of the Homeland. His assignments also included Pacific Air Force, Strategic Air Command and Air Rescue and Recovery units.
Jim has also written a children’s book and compiled several aviation-themed coloring books.
He and his wife Lynn currently reside in Sonoma County, California, near his two sons and two grandchildren. Retired in 2011, Jim devotes much of his time to the Pacific Coast Air Museum, maintaining the museum’s F-106 and other aircraft in the fleet, and performing docent duties as needed.

Editorial Reviews

Short Rounds yanked me into Jim's story and didn't let up until the last page. Imagine Platoon were a starting point, but then finding out what happened afterwards when Charlie Sheen went to Japan, and Thailand.

It's humbling that the guy repairing your copy machine sacrificed for our country, and criminal how casually the USAF— well I will let you read the book. This is the best memoir I've read in years. Fire in the hole.

-Chris Fox, Amazon Bestselling Author

reviewer - Chris Fox