http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/131611404

Oral history interview with Burt S. Avedon

Burt Avedon, a New York native, discusses his service as a pilot for the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War, his involvement in the Israeli War of 1967 and the development of "Top Gun" school. Avedon talks about learning to fly by the age of twelve while a military school student and subsequently joining the American Volunteer Group (AVG) in China in 1941. After returning from China, Avedon describes joining the Navy, completing naval flight training, and moving among different aircraft carriers during World War II. He recalls several stories of putting flight instructors to the test when they didn't know about his flying experience. Avedon provides detailed descriptions of many types of aircraft including F4U Corsairs, F6Fs Hellcats, F9s Cougars, F8Fs Bearcats and his experience having to ditch a plane in the water. Avedon discusses the conditions and quality of the Japanese pilots and criticizes the accuracy of the movie "Pearl Harbor" (2001). He expresses second thoughts about killing others and describes himself and others as political pawns in wartime. Avedon describes one incident that got him in trouble which resulted in the punishment of towing targets for anti-aircraft batteries and several times his aircraft was shot up and he was forced to land. As a member of the active reserve, Avedon was called back for service during the Korean War flying around 300 missions. Upon returning from Korea, Avedon describes serving in Europe and his involvement in the Israeli war of 1967. He describes completing test pilot school, conducting tests and compares other airplanes to the U.S. models. Avedon discusses the situation that led to the formation of "Top Gun" school, his involvement in the development of that program's syllabus and retiring in 1972 after thirty years of service. Avedon mentions his graduation from Harvard Business School in 1950 and working for a company that was bought by Lands' End that brought him to Madison (Wisconsin). During the 50th anniversary of D-Day, Avedon describes his participation in an NBC supported dogfight re-enactment. He recalls volunteering for Vietnam, but not being allowed to go and explains why he doesn't attend reunions.

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