William T. Y'Blood Biography Bibliography Navigation menu0000 0000 8446 382Xn80161088xx02284331369202254314995943149959
20th-century American historiansHistorians of World War IIHistorians of the Korean War1937 births2006 deathsAmerican military historiansAmerican male non-fiction writersAir force historiansCommercial aviators
World War IIU.S. Air ForceBoeing B-47sContinental AirlinesBattle of the Philippine Seadogfightsescort carriersthe PentagonKorean Warair power
William Thomas Y'Blood (November 12, 1937 – December 16, 2006) was an American World War II historian, notable as the author of eight books that have been translated into ten languages. His collection of research materials were a source of help in the writing of his books
Biography
Y'Blood's career as a pilot, first in the U.S. Air Force flying Boeing B-47s and later as a commercial pilot for Continental Airlines was reflected in the subjects he chose to write about. His first publication, Stratojet in Action, is a pictorial history of the B-47 that he knew so well. Red Sun Setting, his account of the Battle of the Philippine Sea, contains classic descriptions of dogfights and aerial attacks on Japanese carriers. He turned his focus to escort carriers in his next two books, Hunter-Killer and The Little Giants, earning praise and awards from the Burma Star Association and Escort Carrier Airmen and Sailors.
Later in life, Y'Blood took a position with the Air Force History office at the Pentagon as a historian, where he remained until his death in 2006. He turned his attention to other wars, focusing considerable effort on the Korean War and the overlooked role air power played in that conflict. As one critic from the Air Power Journal said, "Y'Blood's writing is concise, well written, and accurate. It is popular history at its best."
Bibliography
Stratojet in Action (1977)
Red Sun Setting (1981)
Hunter-Killer (1983)
The Little Giants (1987)
The Three Wars of Lt. General George E. Stratemeyer (1999)
MiG Alley: The Fight for Air Superiority (2000)
Reflections and Remembrances: Veterans of the United States Army Air Forces Reminisce about World War II (2002)
Down in the Weeds: Close Air Support in Korea (2002)
Air Commandos Against Japan (2008) *published posthumously*