Sams and Night Carrier Landings: Night Cat Night Trap

“This is a riveting account of the little-known but tragic early years of the Vietnam air war, seen through the eyes of courageous aviators who fought down their fears to face danger on a daily basis.” –Military Writers Society of America

Based on McLean’s real-life experiences as a Navy Crusader pilot, Night Cat Night Trap offers an unforgettable glimpse into the harrowing and heroic stories of airmen who risked—and often lost—their lives in the most lethal anti-aircraft environment ever known.

March 3, 1967. Beneath the cover of darkness, an aging warship thundered forward, launching its lethal payload—American fighters and dive-bombers—into skies thick with danger. Vietnamese missiles, relentless artillery fire, and Soviet-built MiG fighters lay in wait.

For young airmen embarking on their first missions, many would never return. Rescue operations for downed pilots bordered on suicide missions. Even the ship itself could be deadly with a single misstep on landing. Meanwhile, intelligence officials in Washington—safe in their distant offices—issued orders that sent men straight into death traps.

McLean brings these courageous warriors to life, immersing us in their triumphs, fears, heartbreaks, and the lasting scars of war that haunt Vietnam veterans and their families to this day.

Brutally accurate and deeply moving, Night Cat Night Trap is a must-read for all Americans.

Packed with gut-wrenching action, unbreakable brotherhood, and insurmountable odds, it tells the story of men whose sacrifices asked for no gratitude—yet paved the way for generations to come.