Barrett Tillman
Encyclopedia
Barrett Tillman is an American
author
who specializes in naval and aviation
topics in addition to fiction
and technical writing.
Tillman's most influential book to date is On Yankee Station (1987), written with the late John B. Nichols
. A critical appraisal of naval aviation
in the Vietnam War
, it was added to the US Air Force and Marine Corps
professional reading lists and became a "reality check" for various Navy and Marine squadrons.
ian, descended from American pioneers, American Revolutionary War
Patriots, Pilgrims (e.g. Priscilla Alden
) and Pocahontas
, Tillman was raised on the family wheat and cattle ranch. His younger brothers include a breeder of exotic animals and a Rhodes Scholar. In high school he was an Eagle Scout
, won two state titles as a rudimental drummer, and was a champion speaker and debater. Tillman was first published in 1964 at age 15 and graduated from the University of Oregon
in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism
.
Like his father, a Navy
trained pilot in World War II
, Tillman developed an early passion for aviation and learned to fly at age 16. Over the next several years he flew a variety of vintage and historic aircraft
, including a pre-WW II Navy trainer and a restored dive-bomber. The latter became the subject of his first book, The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War II, published in 1976. It established the format for many subsequent books, operational histories of U.S. Navy aircraft.
, publishing out-of-print and new titles on military aviation.
In 1986 he moved to San Diego to become managing editor of The Hook, quarterly journal of the Tailhook Association
. He remained in that position for three years before deciding to focus full time to writing fiction. His first novel was published in June 1990. Warriors depicted a Mideast air war and became an immediate best seller when Iraq
invaded Kuwait
two months later.
Tillman's next two novels appeared in 1992: The Sixth Battle, (written with his brother John) which captured a wide following among computer war gamers; and Dauntless, intended as the first in a trilogy. It was followed by Hellcats, nominated as military novel of the year in 1996. He has also published original fiction in the Stephen Coonts
anthologies, Combat and Victory.
Tillman remains active as a magazine writer. He is a regular contributor to The Hook, Flight Journal, and several firearms publications. He has also reported from Africa for Soldier of Fortune
magazine.
Tillman is a former executive secretary of the American Fighter Aces Association.
Chapters in non-fiction works:
Introductions to:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
who specializes in naval and aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
topics in addition to fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
and technical writing.
Tillman's most influential book to date is On Yankee Station (1987), written with the late John B. Nichols
John B. Nichols
John Bennett Nichols, III was a United States Navy aviator and author.Raised in Hialeah, Florida, Nichols enlisted in the United States Army and served as a combat medic during the Korean War. After attending college he was accepted for NavCad training and commissioned in 1957...
. A critical appraisal of naval aviation
Naval aviation
Naval aviation is the application of manned military air power by navies, including ships that embark fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. In contrast, maritime aviation is the operation of aircraft in a maritime role under the command of non-naval forces such as the former RAF Coastal Command or a...
in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, it was added to the US Air Force and Marine Corps
Marine corps
A marine is a member of a force that specializes in expeditionary operations such as amphibious assault and occupation. The marines traditionally have strong links with the country's navy...
professional reading lists and became a "reality check" for various Navy and Marine squadrons.
Early life
Born a fourth-generation OregonOregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
ian, descended from American pioneers, American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
Patriots, Pilgrims (e.g. Priscilla Alden
Priscilla Alden
Priscilla Alden , , noted member of Massachusetts's Plymouth Colony of Pilgrims, was the wife of fellow colonist John Alden . They married in 1623 in Plymouth.-Biography:...
) and Pocahontas
Pocahontas
Pocahontas was a Virginia Indian notable for her association with the colonial settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. She was the daughter of Chief Powhatan, the head of a network of tributary tribal nations in Tidewater Virginia...
, Tillman was raised on the family wheat and cattle ranch. His younger brothers include a breeder of exotic animals and a Rhodes Scholar. In high school he was an Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
, won two state titles as a rudimental drummer, and was a champion speaker and debater. Tillman was first published in 1964 at age 15 and graduated from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
.
Like his father, a Navy
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
trained pilot in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Tillman developed an early passion for aviation and learned to fly at age 16. Over the next several years he flew a variety of vintage and historic aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
, including a pre-WW II Navy trainer and a restored dive-bomber. The latter became the subject of his first book, The Dauntless Dive Bomber of World War II, published in 1976. It established the format for many subsequent books, operational histories of U.S. Navy aircraft.
Career
After college Tillman worked as a freelance writer until 1982 when he founded Champlin Fighter Museum Press in Mesa, ArizonaMesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
, publishing out-of-print and new titles on military aviation.
In 1986 he moved to San Diego to become managing editor of The Hook, quarterly journal of the Tailhook Association
Tailhook Association
The Tailhook Association is a U.S.-based, fraternal, non-profit organization, supporting the interests of sea-based aviation, with emphasis on aircraft carriers...
. He remained in that position for three years before deciding to focus full time to writing fiction. His first novel was published in June 1990. Warriors depicted a Mideast air war and became an immediate best seller when Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
invaded Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
two months later.
Tillman's next two novels appeared in 1992: The Sixth Battle, (written with his brother John) which captured a wide following among computer war gamers; and Dauntless, intended as the first in a trilogy. It was followed by Hellcats, nominated as military novel of the year in 1996. He has also published original fiction in the Stephen Coonts
Stephen Coonts
Stephen Coonts is an American thriller and suspense novelist.Coonts grew up in Buckhannon, West Virginia, a small coal-mining town and earned an B.A. degree in political science at West Virginia University in 1968...
anthologies, Combat and Victory.
Tillman remains active as a magazine writer. He is a regular contributor to The Hook, Flight Journal, and several firearms publications. He has also reported from Africa for Soldier of Fortune
Soldier of Fortune (magazine)
Soldier of Fortune , The Journal of Professional Adventurers, is a periodical monthly magazine devoted to world-wide reporting of wars, including conventional warfare, low-intensity warfare, counter insurgency, and counter-terrorism...
magazine.
Tillman is a former executive secretary of the American Fighter Aces Association.
Nonfiction
- Jimmy Doolittle: The First 80 Years (1976)
- The Dauntless Dive-Bomber of World War II (1976)
- Hellcat: the F6F in World War II (1979)
- Corsair: the F4U in World War II and Korea (1979)
- On Yankee Station: the Naval Air War Over Vietnam (1987) (with CDR John B. NicholsJohn B. NicholsJohn Bennett Nichols, III was a United States Navy aviator and author.Raised in Hialeah, Florida, Nichols enlisted in the United States Army and served as a combat medic during the Korean War. After attending college he was accepted for NavCad training and commissioned in 1957...
, USN (Ret)) - TBF-TBM Avenger at War (1979, re-released 1991)
- MiG Master: Story of the F-8 Crusader (1980, second edition 1990)
- Wildcat: the F4F in World War II (1983, second edition 1990)
- Sun Downers: VF-11 in World War II (1993)
- Carrier Battle in the Philippine Sea (1994)
- Pushing the Envelope: The Career of Test Pilot Marion Carl (1994) (with MajGen Marion E. Carl, USMC (Ret.))
- Wildcat Aces of World War II (1995)
- Wildcats to Tomcats: The Tailhook Navy (1995) (with CAPTs W.M. SchirraWally SchirraWalter Marty Schirra, Jr. was an American test pilot, United States Navy officer, and one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts chosen for the Project Mercury, America's effort to put humans in space. He is the only person to fly in all of America's first three space programs...
, R.L. Cormier & P.R. Wood, USN (Ret.)) - Carrier Air War: World War II in Original Color (1996) (with Robert L. Lawson)
- Reissued as World War II U.S. Navy Air Combat, (2002)
- Hellcat Aces of World War II (1996)
- Warbird Tech: Vought F4U Corsair (1997)
- U.S. Navy Fighter Squadrons and Aces of World War II (1997)
- SB2C Helldiver Units of World War II (1997)
- U.S. Navy Fighters of World War II (1998) (with R.L. Lawson)
- SBD Dauntless Units of World War II (1998)
- TBD Avenger Units of World War II (2000)
- The Complete Guide to AR-15 Accuracy (2000) (with Derrick Martin)
- U.S. Navy Dive and Torpedo Bombers (2001) (with R.L. Lawson)
- Above & Beyond: The Aviation Medals of Honor (2002)
- The Alpha Bravo Delta Guide to the U.S. Air Force (2003)
- Brassey's D-Day Encyclopedia (2004)
- Clash of the Carriers: The True Story of the Marianas Turkey Shoot of World War II (2005)
- Heroes: Army Recipients of the Medal of Honor (2006)
- LeMayCurtis LeMayCurtis Emerson LeMay was a general in the United States Air Force and the vice presidential running mate of American Independent Party candidate George Wallace in 1968....
(2007) - What We Need: Extravagance and Shortages in America's Military (2007)
- Whirlwind: The Air War Against Japan 1942-1945 (2010)
Chapters in non-fiction works:
- R.L. Lawson, ed. History of U.S. Naval Air Power (1985)
- Saburō Sakai Samurai! (1991)
- Steve Coonts, ed. War in the Air (1996)
- Jack Sweetmen, ed. Great American Naval Battles (1998)
- Hill Goodspeed, ed. U.S. Naval Aviation (2001)
- Tom Clancy series, revised chapter Fighter Wing (2004)
- Walter Boyne, ed. Today's Best Military Writing (2004)
Introductions to:
- Another Country by Jeff Cooper (2005)
- Fire Works by Jeff Cooper (2005)
- To Ride, Shoot Straight & Speak the Truth by Jeff Cooper (2005)
Fiction
- Warriors (1990) (with CDR John B. NicholsJohn B. NicholsJohn Bennett Nichols, III was a United States Navy aviator and author.Raised in Hialeah, Florida, Nichols enlisted in the United States Army and served as a combat medic during the Korean War. After attending college he was accepted for NavCad training and commissioned in 1957...
, USN (Ret)) - The Sixth Battle (1992) (with John L. Tillman) Detailed Book Review(Dead Link)
- Dauntless (1992)
- Hellcats: A Novel of the Pacific War (1996)
- "Skyhawks Forever." Combat (2001) (Steve Coonts, ed., et al.)
- "I Relieve You, Sir." A Date Which Will Live in Infamy (2001) (Brian Thomsen and Martin Greenberg, eds., et al.)
- "Flame On Tarawa." Victory (2003) (Steve Coonts, ed., et al.)
- Pandora’s Legion (2007) with Harold CoyleHarold CoyleFor the Irish architect, see Harold Edgar Coyle.Harold Coyle is an American author of historical, speculative fiction and war novels including Team Yankee, a New York Times best-seller. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1974 and spent seventeen years on active duty with the U.S...
- Prometheus' Child (2007) with Harold CoyleHarold CoyleFor the Irish architect, see Harold Edgar Coyle.Harold Coyle is an American author of historical, speculative fiction and war novels including Team Yankee, a New York Times best-seller. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1974 and spent seventeen years on active duty with the U.S...
- Vulcan's Fire (2008) with Harold CoyleHarold CoyleFor the Irish architect, see Harold Edgar Coyle.Harold Coyle is an American author of historical, speculative fiction and war novels including Team Yankee, a New York Times best-seller. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1974 and spent seventeen years on active duty with the U.S...
Awards
Tillman has received six writing awards including the second Admiral Radford Award for Naval History and Literature and is an honorary member of three Navy squadrons. He has been honored by the Air Force Historical Foundation, the American Aviation Historical Society, the U.S. Naval Institute, and remains the youngest recipient of the Tailhook Association’s lifetime achievement award.Genealogy
Barrett Tillman is descended from Christopher Tilghman, Jr., (b. Kent, England 1592; arrived Virginia 1635; died 1673). The first of the line born in America was Christopher Junior's eldest son, Gideon (b. Virginia 1643; d. 1720). The family name was changed to Tillman by Barrett's great-4X grandfather Tobias (b. North Carolina 1751). Barrett Tillman further descends from Joshua Tillman (b. Ohio 1824) and John H. Sr. (b. Ohio 1881) who moved to Oregon c. 1907. Barrett Tillman's mother's lineage is incomplete but family records indicate that the Barrett family arrived in America in 1638.External links
- Barrett Tillman official website
- Barrett Tillman's page at Macmillan.com
- Online Interview