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Chopper Warriors: Kicking The Hornet's Nest
After having written my first Award Winning book, Missions Of FireAnd Mercy, I felt something was missing. I have always had a greatdeal of respect for the Infantry (grunts) who our unit, C/227th AssaultHelicopter Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry supported. They werealways appreciative of the helicopters and crews. My personal feelingis that they heroically fought the worst part of the Viet Nam war.Chopper Warriors will introduce many of the survivors of thatwar. The true, interesting, guy-wrenching and often thrilling stories youare about to read are from men whom I am honored to know. Many of the words written here are theirs from interviews I have done. As a storyteller, I have tried to recapture the events as they happened forty-five plus years ago.The narrative and scenes created here are mostly true, and thedialogue is written for all audiences from teenagers to adults, menand women alike.Our unit supported these men in every way; inserting them intothe fiery hell of battle, and supplying them with ammo, food, water,and mail, often under intense enemy fire. When they were ready tomove on to a different LZ, we picked them up and re-insertedthem. When they were sick or wounded, we flew them to the closestfield hospital. When they were silently lying in the jungle,having breathed their last, they were solemnly picked up and loadedon our choppers. We reverently evacuated them to an area wherethey could be cared for, prior to their final flight back to their lovedones. I have the utmost respect for the guys we called “grunts”.Though our military technology didn’t always work, the helicopterwas a very useful tool for putting our troops right where theyneeded to be – deep within the enemy’s lair. More importantly, thechoppers saved innumerable lives that in other wars would havebeen snuffed out. For that I am grateful to have been a part of theFirst Team in Viet Nam.In my personal stories that you will read, I have used actualnames whenever possible. In other cases, names have been changedin honor of the families.It is my most sincere hope that these accounts will be read bymany who have lost loved ones in this most unpopular war. Manysoldiers involved in Viet Nam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, andothers have declined to tell their own stories to those they love backhome, as they actually happened. The feelings that war veteranshave run very deep and are often very traumatic. Many don’t wantto relive those horrendous nightmares. Severe cases of PTSD, guilt,or not wanting families to know what they went through are prevalentand very real.In many cases, their stories are relived here as they actually happened.Here, you may finally read about what your son, grandson,husband, father, or friend endured. Though honorable and oftenheroic, you can be sure the memories are horrible, and somethingthey will never forget.Throughout these stories, you will see the word “grunts.” Itseems that all wars have their own nomenclature. In Viet Nam, agrunt fought the toughest part of the war, in my mind.In many cases, that was to lessen the fear of their family andfriends. Though noble, I personally feel that to be a shame. I praythat knowing what your loved ones went through may bring healingto a lot of you.
Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2014
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About the author
William E. Peterson
4 books4 followersWILLIAM E. PETERSON grew up in a small rural town in Upper Michigan where his wife began saving all of his business cards. He's multi-talented but bores easily. He was a flight instructor for both airplanes and helicopters, and worked as a corporate pilot for 18 years. Log home builder, taxidermist, and owner and operator of a trucking company are just a few of his former professions.
Peterson had written a couple of magazine articles prior to writing about his '67-'68 tour in Vietnam. After 15 years of passionate writing, the author released his first book: Missions of Fire and Mercy~Until Death Do Us Part. In 2011, Peterson won the Silver Medal Award for memoirs from the Military Writer's Society of America Awards Program. After his well-received first book, he felt something was missing. He decided that even though he didn't know most grunts personally, it was his duty to honor them by writing Chopper Warriors ~ Kicking The Hornet's Nest. This book was recently awarded a Silver Medal for the2014 International Reader's Favorite Awards.
Retired, when he's not writing, Peterson enjoys trout fishing in the mountains, hunting, shooting, woodwork and sculpture. He resides in Piney Flats, Tennessee with his wonderful wife, Cindi. Grandchildren Owen and Sofie are an active and wonderful part of his life.
He is a member of The National Purple Heart Hall of Fame. He is a member of the Military Writer's Society of America. Additionally, he is a member of the DAV, Post 979 in Kingsport, TN.
http://www.chopperwarriors.com/
http://missionsoffireandmercy.com/
Peterson had written a couple of magazine articles prior to writing about his '67-'68 tour in Vietnam. After 15 years of passionate writing, the author released his first book: Missions of Fire and Mercy~Until Death Do Us Part. In 2011, Peterson won the Silver Medal Award for memoirs from the Military Writer's Society of America Awards Program. After his well-received first book, he felt something was missing. He decided that even though he didn't know most grunts personally, it was his duty to honor them by writing Chopper Warriors ~ Kicking The Hornet's Nest. This book was recently awarded a Silver Medal for the2014 International Reader's Favorite Awards.
Retired, when he's not writing, Peterson enjoys trout fishing in the mountains, hunting, shooting, woodwork and sculpture. He resides in Piney Flats, Tennessee with his wonderful wife, Cindi. Grandchildren Owen and Sofie are an active and wonderful part of his life.
He is a member of The National Purple Heart Hall of Fame. He is a member of the Military Writer's Society of America. Additionally, he is a member of the DAV, Post 979 in Kingsport, TN.
http://www.chopperwarriors.com/
http://missionsoffireandmercy.com/
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 25, 2014
Bill Peterson's new book, "Chopper Warriors: Kicking the Hornet's Nest" is a compelling and easy read, comprised of twenty-three short chapters which describe personal experiences during the Vietnam War. A host of contributors have joined Bill in this story to talk about special incidents they experienced during their tours many years ago; some describe acts of gallantry and heroism...others talk about fear and death. Contributors include pilots, infantry grunts and officers, Navy Corpsmen, door gunners and a lone tunnel rat; their tours take place in different years and span across the entire country of Vietnam. Thus, seeing the war from different perspectives.
As a Vietnam Veteran myself, reading "Chopper Warriors" is like sitting around a summer campfire with a group of vets from my local VVA chapter. They come from every branch of service and occupation; most have something to say - others are comfortable just listening...all are treated with trust, dignity and respect while relating their stories around the roaring blaze. There is usually a common thread shared during these discussions and testimony seldom takes a sudden left or right turn. This is how I relate to Bill's new tome - thankfully, he did not include the extra commentary that I might have heard: "I got one, listen to this..."
As I commented in "Missions of Fire and Mercy", us grunts held chopper crews in the highest regard. Without your support, dedication and bravery, there would be many more names listed on the black granite wall in Washington D.C. You were always there when we needed you - I remain forever grateful for that!
After reading "Chopper Warriors", non-veteran readers will better understand why veterans returning home after war are different and troubled. Could be a different country, war and time, the results are the same!
Bill, excellent job in following that common thread throughout the story. Thank you, too. for the education - I did pick-up on some new things I didn't know while reading your story! Highly recommended - don't miss out on this one! Welcome Home Brothers!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
As a Vietnam Veteran myself, reading "Chopper Warriors" is like sitting around a summer campfire with a group of vets from my local VVA chapter. They come from every branch of service and occupation; most have something to say - others are comfortable just listening...all are treated with trust, dignity and respect while relating their stories around the roaring blaze. There is usually a common thread shared during these discussions and testimony seldom takes a sudden left or right turn. This is how I relate to Bill's new tome - thankfully, he did not include the extra commentary that I might have heard: "I got one, listen to this..."
As I commented in "Missions of Fire and Mercy", us grunts held chopper crews in the highest regard. Without your support, dedication and bravery, there would be many more names listed on the black granite wall in Washington D.C. You were always there when we needed you - I remain forever grateful for that!
After reading "Chopper Warriors", non-veteran readers will better understand why veterans returning home after war are different and troubled. Could be a different country, war and time, the results are the same!
Bill, excellent job in following that common thread throughout the story. Thank you, too. for the education - I did pick-up on some new things I didn't know while reading your story! Highly recommended - don't miss out on this one! Welcome Home Brothers!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
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April 2, 2018MWSA Review
The Vietnam War was the war which the helicopter came into prominence. From the Ia Drang Valley to the A Shau Valley, the uses of these important flying vehicles meant the difference between defeat on the battlefield or success. The use of choppers in Vietnam were used for resupply, insertion of air cav infantry and the evacuation of wounded and firepower from above.
Vetnam was the war of the chopper. Chopper Warriors, Kicking the Hornet’s Nest brought to us by author William E. Peterson is an amalgamation of Vietnam chopper stories. Many of these stories are written by Peterson of his tour in Vietnam with an Air Assault Battalion. Other stories were written by members of air crew teams from crew chiefs, door gunners and pilots. When one thinks of Vietnam, one thinks of the infantrymen in combat who engage the enemy directly. However in Vietnam it was the use of the choppers which made the difference. In fact the difference with the US success on the battlefield and the French who were not successful at all was the use of the choppers.
It conveys the stories of these air crews who supported the infantry in the field. The stories tell of these brave men who put themselves at risk to accomplish their missions. It tells of their fears and thoughts of life which is lived at the edge.
Vietnam was the war of the “Chopper”; the skies were filled with the sight of whirling blades flying in diamond formations on missions of insertion, medical evacuation, resupply and evacuation. You Tube has a tribute to the UH-l titled Gimme Shelter with background music by the Rolling Stones. This is what Paterson’s book conveys, this was indeed the war of the chopper and Peterson captures it like the blades of the slicks he rode on. Excellent book!!
Reviewed by: Richard Geschke (2015)
The Vietnam War was the war which the helicopter came into prominence. From the Ia Drang Valley to the A Shau Valley, the uses of these important flying vehicles meant the difference between defeat on the battlefield or success. The use of choppers in Vietnam were used for resupply, insertion of air cav infantry and the evacuation of wounded and firepower from above.
Vetnam was the war of the chopper. Chopper Warriors, Kicking the Hornet’s Nest brought to us by author William E. Peterson is an amalgamation of Vietnam chopper stories. Many of these stories are written by Peterson of his tour in Vietnam with an Air Assault Battalion. Other stories were written by members of air crew teams from crew chiefs, door gunners and pilots. When one thinks of Vietnam, one thinks of the infantrymen in combat who engage the enemy directly. However in Vietnam it was the use of the choppers which made the difference. In fact the difference with the US success on the battlefield and the French who were not successful at all was the use of the choppers.
It conveys the stories of these air crews who supported the infantry in the field. The stories tell of these brave men who put themselves at risk to accomplish their missions. It tells of their fears and thoughts of life which is lived at the edge.
Vietnam was the war of the “Chopper”; the skies were filled with the sight of whirling blades flying in diamond formations on missions of insertion, medical evacuation, resupply and evacuation. You Tube has a tribute to the UH-l titled Gimme Shelter with background music by the Rolling Stones. This is what Paterson’s book conveys, this was indeed the war of the chopper and Peterson captures it like the blades of the slicks he rode on. Excellent book!!
Reviewed by: Richard Geschke (2015)
July 11, 2014
I entered a giveaway for this book, hoping to win it for my husband. When we married 9 years ago, he had never read a whole book all the way through. He's a lot more open to reading than he used to be (I guess he figures if I sit around with my nose buried in a book half the time it can't be so bad!) but I have a hard time finding things to interest him. I was so happy when I won this book, and as soon as I received it, I gave it to him to read. He couldn't put it down! He absolutely loved it! Now I'm going to read it, and I'll update my review when I do.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews