The Art of William S. Phillips: The Glory of Flight

Shelton, CT: Greenwich Workshop Inc, 1994. First edition. First Edition [stated]. First printing [stated]. Hardcover. Very good/Very good. Phillips, William S.. Sewn binding. Paper over boards. 172 p. Illustrations (mostly in color). 2 three-page fold-outs. Includes a special illustration (not bound in). List of Plates. Introduction by Stephen Coonts. Inscribed to Admiral Wesley L. McDonald signed by Philips! ! ! DJ has minor wear and soiling. Wesley L. McDonald (July 6, 1924 February 8, 2009) was a United States Navy admiral and naval aviator. He led the first air strike against North Vietnam after the Gulf of Tonkin incident and was the commander in charge of Operation Urgent Fury, the invasion of Grenada to rescue American citizens. McDonald was born in Washington, D.C. on July 6, 1924. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1946. He began his career as a naval aviator in 1950, serving in several carrier fighter and attack squadrons. In 1964, McDonald was the skipper of Attack Squadron VA-56 flying A-4 Skyhawks aboard the USS Ticonderoga. On August 5, 1964, he served as a flight leader for Operation Pierce Arrow, the first retaliatory strike against North Vietnam following the Gulf of Tonkin incident. McDonald's career led him to the highest levels of the United States Navy's command structure. In 1972, as a rear admiral, McDonald was assigned as the carrier group commander. He later served as deputy chief of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. in 1975. In 1982, McDonald was appointed Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT), one of two supreme commanders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. At the same time, he assumed command of the U.S. Atlantic Command (CINCLANT) and U.S. Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT). In 1983, McDonald, in his role as CINCLANT, was placed in overall command of Operation Urgent Fury the invasion of Grenada to rescue U.S. nationals. McDonald was the last United States Navy admiral to command all three organizations (Allied Atlantic Command, U.S. Atlantic Command, and U.S. Atlantic Fleet) at the same time.