There I Wuz
A Navy Flight Surgeon's View of Naval Aviation
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Naval Aviators are a close-knit group, almost a clan. It is because they have shared the same training, experiences AND harrowing experiences. Mostly Alpha males with Type-A personalities they are achievers, courageous, maintain health, not afraid to make decisions or to express opinions and usually control their emotions.
One example is when a warning light flashes on in the cockpit. It may be “fire” or maybe “hydraulic failure” etc. The competent pilot immediately checks everything, then if he can’t find anything wrong with the controls or other observation, he keys his mike and mumbles to his RIO, “Fire warning light, pulling breaker, prob’ly be all right.” RIO dutifully responds, “Roger that.” (Well what else is there to do?....crawl out on the wing and shoot a fire extinguisher up the jet intake?)
Naval Aviators have a macho aura that is either natural or they work at maintaining it. Swagger might be a good word, but it’s old-fashioned. (More appropriate might be “swigger” since they often enjoy significant amounts of alcoholic beverages.) In previous discussions that Centurian achievement of 100 traps and the “Flaming Hooker” initiation rite are somewhat symbolic. Somebody, sometime in the past called a tailhook sparking on the deck at night, a “flaming hooker” and it is part of the macho language now.
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About the Book
“There I Wuz” refers to being in flight somewhere in the sky or perhaps in an otherwise routine situation when something unforeseen happened. It was the way aviators started their most gripping stories.
Flight surgeons are privy to many such stories and “Doc” White relates the scary situations and tales of funny, tragic and intriguing events from inside naval aviation. He highlights what it was like to live and work on an aircraft carrier during the Viet Nam conflict and the cold war.
He writes from the perspective of a Navy Flight Surgeon, a physician and a medical officer. The narrative describes all the complexities of flight operations, how everything functions and coordinates …… and the psychology of those who make it happen.
Join the author as he looks back at an incredible life in the Navy filled with medical tales, aviation adventures, and highs and lows. The narrative is personal, entertaining and interesting on many levels.
“Great read, unusual in that Navy Flight Surgeons seldom comment on life on the carriers. Superbly written … another perspective of Navy Life at sea and a doctor’s wonderful memoirs.”
– Warm Regards, Captain Dan A. Pedersen (USN, Retired), Founder of the “TOPGUN” Navy Fighter Weapons School in 1969 and Skipper of USS Ranger (CV-61) in 1982.
“These recollections are familiar to me at different times and places...and are a treasured memory. Readers will find this book most interesting while greatly admiring the dedication, expertise and service of a Flight Surgeon.”
– Mike Bristow, Naval Aviator, Experienced A-7 Pilot with over 200 Carrier Landings.
“.... thoroughly enjoyed reading...I could relate to a number of the stories... other aviators will be struck with memories.”
– Tom Petillo, U.S. Naval Academy ’66, Naval Aviator, Fellow Mediterranean Sailor.
“There I Wuz” paints a candid picture of a flight surgeon’s naval career and experiences on an aircraft carrier. This insider provides fascinating stories of life in a carrier “city” and insights as to what makes Top Gun pilots tick. Throughout, the author’s humor is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.”
– David R. Sobel, Medical Defense Attorney and Award-Winning Playwright.
About the Author
James Alexander White, III, M.D. was born and raised in Alexandria, LA and has lived and worked there for eighty-one years except for the fifteen years of college, medical school, subsequent specialty training…… and the active duty in the U.S. Navy which is the subject of this book. Dr. White is a 1964 graduate of the Tulane University School of Medicine and is a board-certified Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy Specialist) in practice since 1972. He has two daughters, Elizabeth and Lydia, and three grandchildren, Douglas, Reade and Alexandra. This book is dedicated to them and to his quarter-century-plus significant other, Linda.
Dr. White wrote this book to provide readers with insight into the medical aspects of Naval Aviation. Health and safety are incredibly important to success. The limits of human physiology and psychology are elucidated throughout the book as Dr. White discusses the intricacies of medical issues. The reader will also see inside the attitudes, emotions, risks, fears, tedium, tragedy and the humor that accompany the glamor and excitement that get all the attention.
Included are some of the nuts and bolts of Naval Air and of course its importance to the nation.
Dr. White is a Past-President of the Louisiana State Medical Society and was elected to its Hall of Fame. His is also a Past-Governor of the Louisiana-Mississippi-West Tennessee District of Kiwanis International.
Beyond medicine Dr. White has an avid passion for wine in all its aspects. The early part of this book explains how the Navy enabled his introduction to a lifetime of wine enjoyment. Dr. White was on the wine judging panel of the Los Angeles County Fair for nearly twenty years. He was a charter member of the Society of Wine Educators and taught wine classes for years. At one time he was the owner-operator of four retail wine shops, a wine wholesale company and a wine import company. Dr. White has traveled extensively in wine country all over the world for both business and pleasure.
What is the natural companion of wine? Food. Dr. White is a gourmet chef and appreciator of excellence in food and wine wherever it is found. He has pursued its discovery for many years as this book will attest. Hopefully, the reader will enjoy some of the wine and food stories sprinkled throughout the narrative. As the sayings go …. Bon Appetit and In Vino Veritas.