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BAT-21
BAT-21 is the story of Air Force Col. Iceal "Gene" Hambleton's real life rescue from behind enemy lines in Vietnam. At the time, the largest rescue operation in USAF history. This best-selling novel was later turned into a film by TriStar Pictures starring Gene Hackman and Danny Glover.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1980
About the author
William C. Anderson
53 books6 followersWilliam C. Anderson served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II up through the Vietnam War, retiring as a colonel. He began writing in the 1950s, with a series of columns for MATS Flyer, the magazine of the Air Force's Military Air Transport Service (later MAC Flyer, after MATS became the Military Airlift Command).
Several of his books were autobiographical accounts of the adventures of Anderson, his wife, Dortha, and their children, Ann, Scott and Holly.
Several of his books were autobiographical accounts of the adventures of Anderson, his wife, Dortha, and their children, Ann, Scott and Holly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 6, 2019
For anyone who enjoyed the movie Rescue Dawn, this will not disappoint in the slightest.
The book, while relatively short, is one of the most interesting survival and rescue tales I've ever heard. After days and days of inability to chopper in and pick up the downed pilot, the eventual solution is truly stranger than fiction. Under no circumstances would I have ever been able to figure out what golf had to do with a massive NVA push south, a heroically dedicated FAC squadron, and a starving surrounded pilot. It sounds like bad joke or a hard riddle. The truth of the matter is far more interesting. Unlike most behind enemy lines stories, the heroics here occur due to being stuck in the same spot for days, rather than harrowing tales of escape and evasion (although, there's some of that too.)
The book, while relatively short, is one of the most interesting survival and rescue tales I've ever heard. After days and days of inability to chopper in and pick up the downed pilot, the eventual solution is truly stranger than fiction. Under no circumstances would I have ever been able to figure out what golf had to do with a massive NVA push south, a heroically dedicated FAC squadron, and a starving surrounded pilot. It sounds like bad joke or a hard riddle. The truth of the matter is far more interesting. Unlike most behind enemy lines stories, the heroics here occur due to being stuck in the same spot for days, rather than harrowing tales of escape and evasion (although, there's some of that too.)
July 27, 2018
"Bird Dog, this is Bat-21!" I remember having seen the movie that was based on this book in the 1980's and ran across this book while browsing here on Amazon and bought it. Glad I did.
This is the story of the ordeal Iceal Hambleton, a Lt. Colonel in the USAF, who was navigator of an EB-66 electronic warfare aircraft shot down during the 1972 North Vietnam offensive. Hambleton, the lone survivor of his aircraft, parachuted into the midst of the NVA invasion of the south.
The Air Force and Hambleton began a physical and mental battle with the NVA who they had a grudging respect for. For twelve days, the US military both kept the communist Vietnamese from capturing Hambleton and planned a method of getting Hambleton out. Men died in the attempt to rescue Hambleton as jets, prop-driven aircraft as well as helicopters were employed to fight to keep Hambleton from the clutches of the NVA and some were lost in the attempt.
As a military history reader, I was impressed by the efficiency of USAF SAR (Search and Rescue) methods. "Gravel" was a weapon and technique I had never heard of. The use of "Sandies", jets, helicopters and small observation aircraft flown by FACs, or Forward Air Controllers, - even B-52s - all combined to keep the NVA back on their heels while Hambleton made his escape.
As a reader of adventure stories, I enjoyed the blood-and-guts story from Hambleton's point-of-view as he endured thirst, hunger, exhaustion and fear as he had to not only keep himself alive, but travel in the dead of night in an alien environment, surrounded by enemy territory and hundreds of enemy soldiers. All these enemy soldiers had but one task - capture him!
This isn't a long book, but it's a good one! the author explains that he had to alter a number of aspects of the story because many of the USAF's techniques are still classified. But, the author weaves a fine tale while changing only the minimum. This is a five star book that I enjoyed immensely.
This is the story of the ordeal Iceal Hambleton, a Lt. Colonel in the USAF, who was navigator of an EB-66 electronic warfare aircraft shot down during the 1972 North Vietnam offensive. Hambleton, the lone survivor of his aircraft, parachuted into the midst of the NVA invasion of the south.
The Air Force and Hambleton began a physical and mental battle with the NVA who they had a grudging respect for. For twelve days, the US military both kept the communist Vietnamese from capturing Hambleton and planned a method of getting Hambleton out. Men died in the attempt to rescue Hambleton as jets, prop-driven aircraft as well as helicopters were employed to fight to keep Hambleton from the clutches of the NVA and some were lost in the attempt.
As a military history reader, I was impressed by the efficiency of USAF SAR (Search and Rescue) methods. "Gravel" was a weapon and technique I had never heard of. The use of "Sandies", jets, helicopters and small observation aircraft flown by FACs, or Forward Air Controllers, - even B-52s - all combined to keep the NVA back on their heels while Hambleton made his escape.
As a reader of adventure stories, I enjoyed the blood-and-guts story from Hambleton's point-of-view as he endured thirst, hunger, exhaustion and fear as he had to not only keep himself alive, but travel in the dead of night in an alien environment, surrounded by enemy territory and hundreds of enemy soldiers. All these enemy soldiers had but one task - capture him!
This isn't a long book, but it's a good one! the author explains that he had to alter a number of aspects of the story because many of the USAF's techniques are still classified. But, the author weaves a fine tale while changing only the minimum. This is a five star book that I enjoyed immensely.
January 26, 2012
An amazing and inspiring adventure story about a pilot who was shot down over Northern South Vietnam during the NVA invasion of 1972, and it is a true life story too, which makes it all the more interesting.
The book is very well written and the language is authentic. Hambleton's story sheds a light on the way the Vietnam war worked on the inside. I wasn't even born when any of this happened, and it's not a political story, but the echos of the current ordeal in Afghanistan give in a lot to think about. Definitely a book that I found hard to put down -- now to check out the movie version...
The book is very well written and the language is authentic. Hambleton's story sheds a light on the way the Vietnam war worked on the inside. I wasn't even born when any of this happened, and it's not a political story, but the echos of the current ordeal in Afghanistan give in a lot to think about. Definitely a book that I found hard to put down -- now to check out the movie version...
March 17, 2019
I served in southeast Asia in a similar capacity as Lt. Col. Hambleton but he was truly amazing and I was much younger. Very well written story brought back a lot of memories.
In the past ten years or so, I have had the honor of mentoring a number of field grade officers who were retiring from their military careers and transitioning into a different role from what they did in the military. I will recommend that they read this book instead of watching the movie (or in addition to). Great story based on real events.
In the past ten years or so, I have had the honor of mentoring a number of field grade officers who were retiring from their military careers and transitioning into a different role from what they did in the military. I will recommend that they read this book instead of watching the movie (or in addition to). Great story based on real events.
September 3, 2018
This is a novel based on the true incident of Lt. Iceal Hambleton whose plane was shot down in Vietnam. An avid golfer, it describes how he survived and finally got rescued by transmitting his location by way describing his intentions by comparing to holes at golf courses. This book closely follows the movie "Bat*21" Starring Gene Hackman and Danny Glover. The Rescue of Bat 21 by Darrel D. Whitcomb is the non-fiction book of the same account.
Want to Read
August 4, 2012my husband told methis is one of five books he has ever read and finished. I told him I will read it so we can discuss.
November 3, 2021
A great story about the rescue of a downed pilot in the Vietnam war.
It is written in a very simple style and is a pleasure to read.
The book is based on a true story and told from the view points of the pilot and his rescuers.
It does not get bogged down with the war in a whole and concentrates on the human elements.
A few pages are directed towards the pilot's wife and how she is coping which really rounded the story out.
I had a couple of issues with the story that come mainly from its format.
The story relies on two main points: rescue helicopters can't be sent in and the North Vietnamese Army are trying to capture the pilot.
I never could really visualise why the helicopters couldn't go in. The U.S has total air superiority and devastating air strikes are only ever a phone call away, the skies seem constantly filled with U.S plans. Now, it is easy to assume that the NVA hide their anti-helicopter weapons until they see a helicopter. But that never really came through in the writing - it still seems implausible they couldn't have used overwhelming force to got him out sooner.
The NVA never seem that concerned about capturing the pilot or even making life difficult for him.
There are concerns that the NVA are listening in on the radio communications. But no NVA took the time to grab a box of grenades off one of the many passing supply trucks to try and clear the minefield or even guard his position.
As a reader you never got to see what the NVA are up to, only what the pilot sees - from this view point the NVA's attempts to capture him feel a bit lacklustre considering the elevated stakes.
I really enjoyed this book - it is split into short chapters, written in plain English making it very easy to pick up and put down.
There is a useful section at the back where the author details changes he made to get the story into book format.
It is written in a very simple style and is a pleasure to read.
The book is based on a true story and told from the view points of the pilot and his rescuers.
It does not get bogged down with the war in a whole and concentrates on the human elements.
A few pages are directed towards the pilot's wife and how she is coping which really rounded the story out.
I had a couple of issues with the story that come mainly from its format.
The story relies on two main points: rescue helicopters can't be sent in and the North Vietnamese Army are trying to capture the pilot.
I never could really visualise why the helicopters couldn't go in. The U.S has total air superiority and devastating air strikes are only ever a phone call away, the skies seem constantly filled with U.S plans. Now, it is easy to assume that the NVA hide their anti-helicopter weapons until they see a helicopter. But that never really came through in the writing - it still seems implausible they couldn't have used overwhelming force to got him out sooner.
The NVA never seem that concerned about capturing the pilot or even making life difficult for him.
There are concerns that the NVA are listening in on the radio communications. But no NVA took the time to grab a box of grenades off one of the many passing supply trucks to try and clear the minefield or even guard his position.
As a reader you never got to see what the NVA are up to, only what the pilot sees - from this view point the NVA's attempts to capture him feel a bit lacklustre considering the elevated stakes.
I really enjoyed this book - it is split into short chapters, written in plain English making it very easy to pick up and put down.
There is a useful section at the back where the author details changes he made to get the story into book format.
August 7, 2026
This book was published in 1980 and is geared towards a MS/HS audience. The story of Lt. Co Iceal E Hambleton being shot down over Viet Nam and the no holds barred rescue attempts. This man shows the grit a person can have in an untentable situation. He is shot down near a major Viet Cong supply line just south of the DMZ (demilitarized zone, for you that didn't live through the Viet Nam era) Soon the Viet Cong know who he is and how he holds important military intel. By guts and bravery "Ham" and all those who supported him weave quite a plan to get him out.
When I read the author's afterword I was a little disappointed that some of the characters were made up, but for simplicity sake, the author combined many people into one. Having all the characters that really were involved would have made the story untellable. "Ham" okays the changes. Essentially this is the timeline and the acts of courage that went into saving "Ham."
Having lived through the Viet Nam era, this book showed me another side that you didn't hear about during that time. Men and women working together in a hellish situation trying to do the best that they can for their County.
When I read the author's afterword I was a little disappointed that some of the characters were made up, but for simplicity sake, the author combined many people into one. Having all the characters that really were involved would have made the story untellable. "Ham" okays the changes. Essentially this is the timeline and the acts of courage that went into saving "Ham."
Having lived through the Viet Nam era, this book showed me another side that you didn't hear about during that time. Men and women working together in a hellish situation trying to do the best that they can for their County.
November 13, 2021
BAT-21, by William C. Anderson (1989, 180pp). This is an amazing story about a downed high value U.S. flyer in Vietnam for whom a huge 13-day rescue effort took place, resulting in the deaths of 11 U.S. airmen trying to rescue this one individual. His eventual two rescuers received the Medal of Honor (a Marine Lt.) and Navy Cross respectively (a Vietnamese Navy Petty Officer). The rescued pilot received the Silver Cross for actions he took during his evasion, as a did a Forward Air Controller who refused to be sent home so he could serve as the principal FAC during the rescue. What’s NOT in the book are the costs to the ARVN units in the area who were prevented from fully defending themselves during the North Vietnamese Army invasion occurring at the time and the undoubted severe lost of ARVN lives due to limits on their operations during the extended rescue. Rescue protocols were revamped as a result of lessons learned from this extraordinaryily costly rescue. I’ve just ordered a 2nd book on the effort for addition facts about the effort.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2021
The book, while comparatively short, is still an interesting tale of survival and rescue of an Air Force officer with specific knowledge that the American government did not want to fall in the hands of the North Vietnamese Army. Based on a real-life event that occurred in 1972 during the Vietnam War the author provides a well-written (and fictionalized) account of an officer's egress from a burning aircraft and subsequent parachute jump into the Vietnamese jungle only to be hunted by the North Vietnamese Army upon his landing. Armed only with survival kit he wore on him when he egressed from the aircraft, and his wits, the officer spent days eluding his hunters while facilitating his rescue. It is a tale of how the American military looks out after its own and the brave soldiers and airmen who vow to leave no man behind. For those who are interested in how the military facilitates it rescue missions, at least back then, get a hold of a copy of this book.
November 22, 2021
Well, this non-fiction fiction story got me finishing it in no time! Once you start reading, there's no stopping it.
Bat-21 is a non-fiction story, but due to several aspects the author had to write parts of it in a fictious style. You only discover this once you have finished the book. Does this take anything away from the story? Big NO for me! It doesn't take anything away from it, the author does a great job explaining why he did it and why he had to do it.
The tale itself is fast paced, tense, humorous at times, and a tribute to the guys that did fly the FAC and SAR missions over Vietnam. And it's based on a real event, which makes it even better. You feel the tension, strain, despair, and lots of other emotions that would have been involved (at least I think so) in flying missions over Vietnam and what happens when things go haywire.
Bat-21 is a non-fiction story, but due to several aspects the author had to write parts of it in a fictious style. You only discover this once you have finished the book. Does this take anything away from the story? Big NO for me! It doesn't take anything away from it, the author does a great job explaining why he did it and why he had to do it.
The tale itself is fast paced, tense, humorous at times, and a tribute to the guys that did fly the FAC and SAR missions over Vietnam. And it's based on a real event, which makes it even better. You feel the tension, strain, despair, and lots of other emotions that would have been involved (at least I think so) in flying missions over Vietnam and what happens when things go haywire.
January 23, 2024
I learned as much about people and policy from this gripping narrative as I learned about the 12-day mission to rescue U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Iceal "Gene" Hambleton after he was shot down over hostile territory in Vietnam on Easter Sunday of 1972.
Much of the book reads like a duet between Hambleton on the ground and the Forward Air Controllers in unarmed spotter aircraft who kept him company over his survival radio. All of the book is well-written, and more profound than I had expected it to be. This account must be reckoned a classic of Vietnam War literature. The especially gratifying thing for this reader is that Bat-21 can hold its own with literature from any other war, as well.
Much of the book reads like a duet between Hambleton on the ground and the Forward Air Controllers in unarmed spotter aircraft who kept him company over his survival radio. All of the book is well-written, and more profound than I had expected it to be. This account must be reckoned a classic of Vietnam War literature. The especially gratifying thing for this reader is that Bat-21 can hold its own with literature from any other war, as well.
January 8, 2024
Fascinating adventure. Anderson does a great job of showing Hambleton’s heroism and triumph over adversity without any fawning or jingoism. We don’t really get to know Hambleton in a way. We see him struggle through wrenching circumstances, and get an idea of his character. But all we really know is that he misses his wife, loves to golf, and doesn’t give up easily. Perhaps a bit more of him as an individual would have been nice, but this is a quality tribute to his ordeal and the people who worked with him.
May 16, 2020
"Ham" is sky high above Vietnam dropping bombs while dreaming of retiring along a Tucson Arizona golf course. (I'd guess he fell in love with my hometown while stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB.) In Vietnam he is shot down and must "run through the jungle," trying to survive while a determined and heroic solo pilot in a spotter plane tracks and tries to save him. It's a harrowing tale.
The movie is very good and faithful to the written word. That is rare. I highly recommend both.
The movie is very good and faithful to the written word. That is rare. I highly recommend both.
July 29, 2017
Lt. Col. Iceal E. Hambelton's true story of bailing out over the Viet Cong, evading capture for 12 days, escaping using an innovative escape route superimposed by an 18 hole golf course made up of holes he was intimately familiar with. Entertaining, riveting & a tribute to courage, tenacity, team work, loyalty, & the sacrifice of 3 different aircraft & 8 men lost to save a comrade-in-arms.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2026
Author is a great story teller
I had seen the movie but wanted to read the book to find somewhat of the real story? I read it in two Physical Therapy sessions for my wife’s broken shoulder. It was hard to put down.
I had seen the movie but wanted to read the book to find somewhat of the real story? I read it in two Physical Therapy sessions for my wife’s broken shoulder. It was hard to put down.
February 22, 2019
Profanity!!
Just a couple of pages into the book and the profanity starts. Pitiful that some writers have no other vocabulary.
Just a couple of pages into the book and the profanity starts. Pitiful that some writers have no other vocabulary.
October 15, 2019
Good, quick read. Nice to step away from zombie/horror and get back to a decent, war book, for a change.
June 29, 2021
True story of rescue in Vietnam during the war
February 12, 2022
Fast, well written, action packed short novel.
March 15, 2023
Great war story
I think this was a great book. The story was harrowing and I couldn't wait to see what happened next.
I think this was a great book. The story was harrowing and I couldn't wait to see what happened next.
October 27, 2024
This book is about survival and Determination. A very good true story read of an aircrew member who would not give up.
July 8, 2022
Muy entretenido. Literariamente no es el sumun ni muchísimo menos, pero digamos que tiene la capacidad de hacerte "sentir" la acción, lo que no es poco.
Curioso el interés por parte del autor de que quede claro un cierto sentimiento antibelicista por parte de la mayoría de los propios militares.
Curioso el interés por parte del autor de que quede claro un cierto sentimiento antibelicista por parte de la mayoría de los propios militares.
December 11, 2011
It's pretty much what it says on the tin. Lt Col Hambleton goes down behind enemy lines in the midst of the 1972 Easter Offensive, and after 12 days manages to make his way to safety. This book is readable enough, but some of the dialog is, well, maybe fighter pilots did talk like that, I don't know, it's hard to believe. Lots of square-jawed USAF heroics, a few swipes at politicians and hippies, but all in all a decent enough account of a tense operation. Unfortunately, one of the major characters turns out to be a composite, and while I understand the literary reasons for doing that, it really weakens the emotional resonance of the book.
August 21, 2012
Determination....this is a book about a man determined to survive being shot down in one of the most dangerous spots in the Vietnam War, and the determination of the Air Force to rescue him. This is based on a true story. The author wrote it in novel form so that the non-military reader would be able to understand and appreciate what happened. Although I knew he would be rescued, it was extremely suspenseful as I just couldn't see how that would be possible. This is a short book and quick to read.
April 20, 2011
Yes biography & fiction... they took the story of a real Vietnam soldier trying to be rescued from behind enemy lines & changed some details, consolidated several people into fewer characters. The folks who had the brains to make it into a movie knew a great story when they read it. The movie stayed in my memory banks for years & so will the book. The two are actually very similar!!!!
January 14, 2012
Very interesting story about the Vietnam war, and a true hero. In its story about a man shot down in enemy territory and his struggles to survive and escape, we also see a bit about the way the war was run. I knew the basic story from the movie, but the book of course told much more about what Col. Hambleton went through.
October 16, 2014
There are some outstanding books about the Vietnam War - this is one of them. Regardless of the political atmosphere that surrounded the war, some of the individuals that lived through it and others that write about it breathe life into the atrocities that occurred on both sides.
February 25, 2009
Swearing is a little bad. Didn't care for that. I didnt' remember that when I read it years ago as a teenager. But the story is really amazing how they rescued this man.
July 31, 2011
Great book. I had the honor of working with one of the PJs involved in this rescue during Desert Storm, many years later. Hell of a guy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews