What do you think?
Rate this book
Taking Fire: Saving Captain Aikman: A Story of the Vietnam Air War
American military special operations forcesRangers, SEALs, and othershave become a well-recognized and highly respected part of our popular culture. But whom do these elite warriors look to in their times of greatest need: when wounded on the battlefield, cut off deep behind enemy lines, or adrift in the expanse of the worlds oceans? They look skyward, hoping to catch a glimpse of their own personal guardian angel: a U.S. Air Force pararescue jumper (PJ) who lives, and sometimes dies, by the motto that others may live.
Taking Fire provides an up-close look into the heroism and mystique of this little known segment of the Air Force Special Tactics community by focusing on one of the most dramatic rescues of the Vietnam War. It was June 1972 and Capt. Lynn Aikman is returning from a bombing mission over North Vietnam when his F-4 Phantom is jumped by an enemy MiG and shot down. He and his backseater Tom Hanton eject from their crippled aircraft, but Hanton lands near a village and is quickly captured by local militia. Badly injured during the ejection, Aikman lands some distance from the village, and there is a chance that he can be recovered if American rescuers can reach him before the enemy does.
Now on the ground and drifting in and out of consciousness, Captain Aikman looks up and suddenly sees his guardian angel in the form of USAF Pararescue Jumper Chuck McGrath. As Sergeant McGrath is preparing to hook the downed pilot to a hoist line, he sees it fall to the ground. Hostile fire on the hovering Jolly Green Giant rescue helicopter has damaged the hoist mechanism causing the operator to cut the line. While circling A-1 Skyraiders strafe the militia to keep them away from Aikman and McGrath, the helicopter crew races to come up with a plan. It’s getting dark, and they’ll only have one chance.
Taking Fire is an exciting, highly dramatic story of life and death over North Vietnam. Much more than a chronicle the events of 27 June 1972, the book gives the reader an up-close look at the little known world of the U.S. Air Force’s elite aerial rescue force.
Taking Fire provides an up-close look into the heroism and mystique of this little known segment of the Air Force Special Tactics community by focusing on one of the most dramatic rescues of the Vietnam War. It was June 1972 and Capt. Lynn Aikman is returning from a bombing mission over North Vietnam when his F-4 Phantom is jumped by an enemy MiG and shot down. He and his backseater Tom Hanton eject from their crippled aircraft, but Hanton lands near a village and is quickly captured by local militia. Badly injured during the ejection, Aikman lands some distance from the village, and there is a chance that he can be recovered if American rescuers can reach him before the enemy does.
Now on the ground and drifting in and out of consciousness, Captain Aikman looks up and suddenly sees his guardian angel in the form of USAF Pararescue Jumper Chuck McGrath. As Sergeant McGrath is preparing to hook the downed pilot to a hoist line, he sees it fall to the ground. Hostile fire on the hovering Jolly Green Giant rescue helicopter has damaged the hoist mechanism causing the operator to cut the line. While circling A-1 Skyraiders strafe the militia to keep them away from Aikman and McGrath, the helicopter crew races to come up with a plan. It’s getting dark, and they’ll only have one chance.
Taking Fire is an exciting, highly dramatic story of life and death over North Vietnam. Much more than a chronicle the events of 27 June 1972, the book gives the reader an up-close look at the little known world of the U.S. Air Force’s elite aerial rescue force.
- GenresNonfiction
216 pages, Hardcover
First published May 19, 2013
6 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Kevin O'Rourke
5 booksLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the goodreads data base.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 3, 2014
I normally don't read "war" or "military" stories. I guess it just hits too close to home, and I don't want to dwell on it. My brother was a career Air Force fighter pilot, my husband is a retired career National Guard Colonel, and my oldest son is currently serving in the Indiana National Guard as a Major, having served a tour in Afghanistan. I know the landscape of the tension in the world can change so quickly that any one of those I love could be put in harm's way.
This book is just such a story. This book tells the story of June 27, 1972, in Southeast Asia. My brother, Robert Craig Miller, and his wingman, Captain Aikman, were shot down. The book explains in great detail what happened on that fateful day. The author uses language that any person can understand. He also repeats definitions enough that you can relate to the story without being overwhelmed with verbiage that you don't understand. The book is written for the American left back home, so that we can get a glimpse of what really went on in that side of the world. Having separate commentary from my brother, I was pleased that the authors did not dwell on the "politics" of the war. Some of it is mentioned, but the main point of the story is to let everyone know about the remarkable people who serve our country. This is not a "flashy" "headline grabbing" story, but one of true grit from a group of people that knows the meaning of duty and honor.
It took me longer to read this book than it normally would. I think it was because I had an investment in one of the characters~~my brother. My brother is ten years older than I am. So most of what I remember about him is the brat he was that fought with my older sister and made me cry. I thought he was hurting her, but they were only playing. He soon left for the Air Force, and my heart swelled with pride. The letters he wrote home from where ever he was stationed were read and re-read and cherished by us all.
While reading this book, I also was distracted by thoughts of my own. Like where was I when this or that happened, and what was I doing? I had a husband and a 1 1/2 year old boy at the time. So my hands and thoughts were full of my own life. I don't remember worrying about my brother, Craig. After all, he was my big brother. And aren't they all invincible? I also thought about his wife and kids. His wife, Donna, grew up in the Air Force so she knew what the life was like. To this day, I consider her a tower a strength and the epitome of a military wife.
When my brother came home from Southeast Asia, I remember him telling my mom and dad about the incident in this book. He seemed so calm in the telling of it~~almost like it was a story about someone else. Because of his attitude, I guess I didn't give it much thought. He was now safe and that was all that mattered.
The VietNam war was so ugly for so many reasons. The soldiers trying to fight had their hands tied in so many ways. But, please, put politics aside and read of the heroics of these gallant young men.
This book is just such a story. This book tells the story of June 27, 1972, in Southeast Asia. My brother, Robert Craig Miller, and his wingman, Captain Aikman, were shot down. The book explains in great detail what happened on that fateful day. The author uses language that any person can understand. He also repeats definitions enough that you can relate to the story without being overwhelmed with verbiage that you don't understand. The book is written for the American left back home, so that we can get a glimpse of what really went on in that side of the world. Having separate commentary from my brother, I was pleased that the authors did not dwell on the "politics" of the war. Some of it is mentioned, but the main point of the story is to let everyone know about the remarkable people who serve our country. This is not a "flashy" "headline grabbing" story, but one of true grit from a group of people that knows the meaning of duty and honor.
It took me longer to read this book than it normally would. I think it was because I had an investment in one of the characters~~my brother. My brother is ten years older than I am. So most of what I remember about him is the brat he was that fought with my older sister and made me cry. I thought he was hurting her, but they were only playing. He soon left for the Air Force, and my heart swelled with pride. The letters he wrote home from where ever he was stationed were read and re-read and cherished by us all.
While reading this book, I also was distracted by thoughts of my own. Like where was I when this or that happened, and what was I doing? I had a husband and a 1 1/2 year old boy at the time. So my hands and thoughts were full of my own life. I don't remember worrying about my brother, Craig. After all, he was my big brother. And aren't they all invincible? I also thought about his wife and kids. His wife, Donna, grew up in the Air Force so she knew what the life was like. To this day, I consider her a tower a strength and the epitome of a military wife.
When my brother came home from Southeast Asia, I remember him telling my mom and dad about the incident in this book. He seemed so calm in the telling of it~~almost like it was a story about someone else. Because of his attitude, I guess I didn't give it much thought. He was now safe and that was all that mattered.
The VietNam war was so ugly for so many reasons. The soldiers trying to fight had their hands tied in so many ways. But, please, put politics aside and read of the heroics of these gallant young men.
June 22, 2018
Really interesting combination of story's from different people that melt together to the main subject of the book. Very well written and informative.
January 25, 2026
Excellent book which reads like a biography/ story of multiple different people which all converge on one fateful day during the linebacker campaign. Excellently written.
February 16, 2017
This book was mainly about the rescue of pilots in the Viet Nam War.
As a civilian, not familiar with the different kinds of airplanes, this book was kind of hard to follow. It does make you realize how much danger the pilots and soldiers were in during this war.
It was made more interesting by the fact that one of the pilots now lives in our town. As is not uncommon with soldiers, he never talks about his war experiences. I had no idea what he did during the war or the number of metals he had received.
As a civilian, not familiar with the different kinds of airplanes, this book was kind of hard to follow. It does make you realize how much danger the pilots and soldiers were in during this war.
It was made more interesting by the fact that one of the pilots now lives in our town. As is not uncommon with soldiers, he never talks about his war experiences. I had no idea what he did during the war or the number of metals he had received.
September 25, 2013
Taking Fire is written in a military documented style of writing using interviews with the para rescue servicemen. I felt disengaged and emotionally unconnected because of this style of writing and did not really get a sense of who the real men were. The authors do go some way to describe Chuck's life leading upto the main event but felt they were far more comfortable with in-depth details of the various helicopters used during the missions.
There are some horrific incidents described during the course of this book but even so I did not feel any real sense of involvement. I am not heartless it is purely the writing style. I don't think the authors meant it to be a 'tear jerker' or 'feel sorry for' story, and intended it to be a clear, matter of all the facts, military book documenting the rescue missions and the bravery of these little known servicemen during the Vietnam war. They definitely achieved their aim.
I have read many factual books about war but this was just not for me. In my opinion this is a man's book and I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in military operations wanting to find out more about these extremely brave men and about the dangerous rescue missions.
Thank you to the Publisher via Net Galley for allowing me to review this title.
There are some horrific incidents described during the course of this book but even so I did not feel any real sense of involvement. I am not heartless it is purely the writing style. I don't think the authors meant it to be a 'tear jerker' or 'feel sorry for' story, and intended it to be a clear, matter of all the facts, military book documenting the rescue missions and the bravery of these little known servicemen during the Vietnam war. They definitely achieved their aim.
I have read many factual books about war but this was just not for me. In my opinion this is a man's book and I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in military operations wanting to find out more about these extremely brave men and about the dangerous rescue missions.
Thank you to the Publisher via Net Galley for allowing me to review this title.
August 30, 2015
Editing needed but a great account of SAR missions in SEA
Worth reading. Accurate. It's time someone wrote about the heroic job the PJ's do. And don't forget the Sandy drivers.
Worth reading. Accurate. It's time someone wrote about the heroic job the PJ's do. And don't forget the Sandy drivers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews