"The A-4 was the backbone of the US Navy and Marine Corps' light strike force for much of the 1960s, and especially during the first half of the ten-year struggle in south-east Asia. However, the Skyhawk did not receive the press coverage in the latter conflict that th emore glamorous F-4 did. While Phantom II crews sporadically battled North Vietnamese MiGs, A-4 pilots hurled themselves daily at heavily defended targets up and down the south-east Asian peninsula, often paying a heavy price in lives and aircraft. Flying into vast thickets of anti-aircraft bursts mixed with huge surface-to-air missles took great courage and skill and to do so repeatedly during a carrier's tour of duty on the line bespoke a depth of dedication and character that can only be wondered at. This volume foceses on the A-4's most intense period of action in Vietnam and Laos." -- from the back cover.

Includes index.

Introduction -- War heats up -- Steep learning curve -- War escalates -- Heaviest action and greatest losses -- Along year -- Battles and bombing halts -- The Marines -- A doubtful ending -- Appendices.