Hamfist Over the Trail: The Air Combat Adventures of Hamilton "Hamfist" Hancock

By: G. E. Nolly

Narrated by: G. E. Nolly

Length: 4 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

Gold Medal Winner in Global eBook Awards!

It’s 1968. Hamilton Hancock is the Distinguished Graduate at his undergraduate pilot training class at Laughlin Air Force Base. He is on the fast track to become a fighter pilot, slated to fly an F-100, F-105 or F-4 in Vietnam. Then, the “needs of the service” intervenes, and he is assigned to fly one of the smallest, slowest aircraft in the Air Force inventory, the O-2A. 

Hamilton becomes a Forward Air Controller (FAC) in Vietnam, based at DaNang Air Base, and picks up the nickname “Hamfist”. While Hamfist flies in air combat over the Ho Chi Minh Trail and battles an enemy gunner with a deadly record, on the ground he must also battle his inner fears and personal demons. 

When he repeatedly loses friends shortly after reconnecting with them, Hamfist becomes convinced there is a “Hamfist curse”. He becomes a virtual hermit, and tries to avoid interacting with his friends. Then he receives a letter that devastates him. 

Just when his personal life reaches its lowest point, Hamfist goes to Tokyo on R&R and meets his soul mate. They had lost an opportunity to meet six years earlier, and now Fate has given them another chance. Hamfist returns from R&R with a renewed sense of optimism. 

His life is taking a turn for the better. But first he must make it through his Vietnam duty unscathed. 

Inspired by actual events.  

The appearance of US Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

This novel is the first book in the Hamfist Trilogy. The combat action continues in the sequel, Hamfist Down!.

©2012 G. E. Nolly (P)2020 G. E. Nolly

Just the FAC's

Great story about what it was like to be a Forward Air Controller during the Vietnam War. The story is well written and performed by the author who was there. This reads more like a memoir and is a really clear picture of the air war over Vietnam. I highly recommend this book to those looking to experience being a young pilot and what your war experience might be like.

Puts you there

Puts you there in the skies over Vietnam, with all the authenticity of personal experience. Nothing fancy in the telling, just a good story, well told.

Great Vietnam Air Force Adventure

I grew up during the Vietnam War and find this era of our American history very personal. I'm glad I was too young to be drafted but this book shows what might have become of my own life had I started my aviation career in the war-time military. Mr. Nolly's characters feel real, especially "Hamfist" as he learns as he goes along with an era that was extremely difficult to naviagate...from deciding whether to go to or dodge the war, then through the twists and turns of the needs of the military. Is it a spoiler to say that in a war novel not all characters will make it to he final pages? Also, this book is just the beginning of the adventure.

Excellent cannot wait for more

Great story line. Excellent mixture for aviation, military, and life. Voice of author makes the book flow. Awaiting more

amazing book

loved every moment of it cant wait to listen to it more thank you sir