By Deb Silverthorn

Marc Liebman, a retired U.S. Navy captain, will publish his latest novel next month, the debut of his Derek Almer Series, “Flight of the Pawnee.” 

Liebman’s most recent leading character hunts terrorists, puts drug dealers out of business and holds corrupt government and industry officials accountable. “I have worked to develop a style that is conversational and also technically and operationally accurate and still tell a good story,” said Liebman, publisher of seven titles in the Josh Haman series about a hero who flies combat search-and-rescue and special-operations missions. 

Another character, Jaco Jacinto in the Age of Sail Series, follows the careers of an American in the Continental Navy and an Englishman in the Royal Navy, whose careers and lives intertwine and test their friendship. 

“Most of my books have elements of flying, of history, food and firearms and weapons history,” said Liebman. “Each book also includes at least one Jewish character, enabling me to cover interesting aspects of Jewish history and some element of antisemitism. The research helps me understand my heritage.”

Liebman is a decorated U.S. Navy aviator combat veteran. His 26-year Navy career included multiple deployments and combat tours all over the world, which provided him with plenty of raw material for his writing. 

Liebman is the son of Rhea and Sy, of blessed memory, and brother of Scott and Jonathan, the latter of blessed memory. He was born in New York City and spent most of his school-age years in Wiesbaden, Germany, where his U.S. Air Force father was based. 

A number of Liebman’s characters are based on people from his childhood, including Louis Fuhrmann, who survived Auschwitz by singing for the Nazis and later served as the cantor of Liebman’s congregation; and Emma Hartz, the family’s housekeeper.

Liebman flew just under 5,000 hours as pilot-in-command or co-pilot in tactical military, civilian fixed and rotary wing aircraft. After his military service, he was CEO of an aerospace and defense manufacturing firm, associate editor of a national magazine and an advertising copywriter. He published his first book, “Big Mother 40,” in 2013.

A resident of Savannah in Denton County, Liebman first moved to the Dallas–Fort Worth area in 1978 to work with Piper Aircraft. He and his wife, Betty, are the parents of Seth (Tamara) and Michelle (Paul) Hille, and the proud grandparents of seven.

Liebman, a member of the Jewish War Veterans and its Dallas Harvey Bloom Post 256, is a docent and restoration team member at Addison’s Cavanaugh Flight Museum. He enjoys sharing at speaking engagements, now online, about his writing, business and leadership, foreign affairs and living history. 

In November, Liebman was featured online at Congregation Anshai Torah’s HAZAK-sponsored Veterans Day event, discussing how Jews have changed the way the U.S. military operates.

 “We were honored to hear of Marc’s experiences as a combat naval aviator,” said Phil Balis, president of HAZAK. “His skills as an author made the stories of American Jews, who made significant contributions to the American military throughout history, that much more poignant.”

Liebman is also working on a compilation of anecdotes, “Gold and Silver Wings: Tales from Three Generations of Military Aviators,” a collection based on his own experiences and those of his father and son, now a U.S. Navy Reserve commander. The trio represent pilots flying from World War II to the early 2000s. 

“One of the earliest things I learned was to write about something I know,” said Liebman, who regularly posts articles to the “From the Hac’s Seat” and “Fun & Dumb Things I’ve Done in Flying Machines!” section on his website. “Filled with my family’s rich history, my experience in the Navy and my career in the business world, my books are just that.”

 For more information on the author, or to order his books, visit marcliebman.com.