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Commander Thomas Paul Terlizzi,
USN (ret.) “served in the US Navy, 1965-1993. He retired as a Commander, in Naval Intelligence, and taught social studies
in high school and college until 2005. The catalyst for the novel KILO SIERRA was his tour aboard USS MIDWAY, 1971-74, while
attached to Fighter Squadron 161 -- one of the most famous F-4 Phantom squadrons of the Vietnam War. He later served aboard
two other carriers; USS Independence, and USS America; the latter in the Persian Gulf during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, for which
he was awarded the Bronze Star.” Commander Thomas Paul Terlizzi is the author of Kilo
Sierra.
One reader of Kilo Sierra
said, “The author weaves an action packed yarn around aircraft carrier operations during the final stages of the Vietnam
War. He accurately portrays and describes the physical and emotional environment of Navy carrier based squadron personnel
at war and play.
His description of aerial combat and
carrier flight operations may cause palms to sweat. His stories of the time spent relaxing ashore in the Philippines, Hong
Kong, etc., may bring joyous tears of remembrance to those who were there and laughter to those who weren't. His focus
on the personal life of his characters, their honor, love, and sacrifice, will remind some of why they serve and lift the
spirit of others.
Though names are changed, it is obvious
to anyone who served with the author that the deployment he writes about is the one they were on. The general events are only
fictionalized versions of the real deal. I know, because I was there. The phrase, "Kilo Sierra" is an expression
formed from the phonetic initials of a Navy saying. Sierra Hotel is another expression meaning "very good" (or words
to that effect).”
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