Top Gun: An American Story is more than just the story of how the Navy Fighter Weapons School, commonly known as “Top Gun” was formed. It is the personal journey of Dan Pedersen from his beginnings in the Navy, through the creation of Top Gun, and all the way to his retirement.
From it’s humble beginnings in a “stolen” trailer to redefining air combat, the ripples of what Dan and his “Original Eight” founded in 1969 are still felt today. This is the story of a patriot who loved his country, loved flying, and was willing to take risks. Before Top Gun, Dan and others were a flying “Fight Club” mixing it up with other units and branches of the service in unsanctioned dog fights off the coast of California. From there, to the skies over Viet Nam, to Miramar, and beyond Dan paints a picture of the challenges, triumphs, and failures.
