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To the Limit: An Air Cav Huey Pilot in Vietnam
Helicopter pilots in Vietnam kidded one another about being nothing but glorified bus drivers. But these “rotor heads” saved thousands of American lives while performing what the Army classified as the most dangerous job it had to offer. One in eighteen did not return home.
Tom A. Johnson flew the UH-1 “Iroquois” — better known as the “Huey” — in the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the First Air Cavalry Division. From June 1967 through June 1968, he accumulated an astonishing 1,600 flying hours (1,150 combat and 450 noncombat). His battalion was one of the most highly decorated units in the Vietnam War and, as part of the famous First Air Cavalry Division, helped redefine modern warfare. With tremendous flying skill, Johnson survived rescue missions and key battles that included those for Hue and Khe Sanh and operations in the A Shau and Song Re valleys, while many of his comrades did not. His heartfelt and riveting memoir will strike a chord with any soldier who ever flew in the ubiquitous Huey and any reader with an interest in how the Vietnam War was really fought.
Tom A. Johnson flew the UH-1 “Iroquois” — better known as the “Huey” — in the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the First Air Cavalry Division. From June 1967 through June 1968, he accumulated an astonishing 1,600 flying hours (1,150 combat and 450 noncombat). His battalion was one of the most highly decorated units in the Vietnam War and, as part of the famous First Air Cavalry Division, helped redefine modern warfare. With tremendous flying skill, Johnson survived rescue missions and key battles that included those for Hue and Khe Sanh and operations in the A Shau and Song Re valleys, while many of his comrades did not. His heartfelt and riveting memoir will strike a chord with any soldier who ever flew in the ubiquitous Huey and any reader with an interest in how the Vietnam War was really fought.
396 pages, Hardcover
First published June 30, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
December 1, 2013
I loved this book, and I have a feeling it will become a staple re-read throughout my life. The book is about the author's experiences as an Army 1st Cav Huey pilot in Vietnam. While covering these experiences, he also interjects stories of his time in flight school, which actually happened to be my favorite parts of the book. Different parts throughout will have you laughing out loud and other times bristling with apprehension at the fear and dread these men felt during dangerous missions. The author also gives a great feel to the complexities of flying Hueys. I highly recommend this to all helicopter pilots and anyone else interested in the subject
April 28, 2018
Sadly every book of this kind will be (unfavourably) compared to Robert Mason's Chickenhawk. You just can't help it as the latter is a classic in all war genres.
I'm pleased to say that this is probably second best of the many similar books I've read. Johnson shares the same self-effacing character as Mason, but says more about the difficulty of flying his D-model Huey on challenging missions in the thin air of the Vietnamese Highlands. Overall there is less flying chat and more action than Chickenhawk, rendered in an exciting and accessible style.
Where Mason's baptism of fire occurs early on in the fierce fighting of the Ia Drang valley, Johnson's war was more of a grind, facing sudden death from night flying, collisions and accidents as much as from the enemy. Towards the end of his tour, Johnson is faced with one of the most unpleasant surprises of the war - when the 1st Cav tries to repeat its Ia Drang success in the wake of the Tet Offensive, they assault the A Shau valley to be met with devastating radar-guided heavy calibre AA which makes mincemeat of its Hueys.
Johnson had the misfortune of being shot down, and his account of evading capture with his surviving crew and infantryman passengers is one of the most engrossing sections of the book. Johnson never shies away from admitting his fear and trepidation, and comes across as a more bolshy and decisive character than the more passive Mason.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Chickenhawk as a complement rather than a comparison.
I'm pleased to say that this is probably second best of the many similar books I've read. Johnson shares the same self-effacing character as Mason, but says more about the difficulty of flying his D-model Huey on challenging missions in the thin air of the Vietnamese Highlands. Overall there is less flying chat and more action than Chickenhawk, rendered in an exciting and accessible style.
Where Mason's baptism of fire occurs early on in the fierce fighting of the Ia Drang valley, Johnson's war was more of a grind, facing sudden death from night flying, collisions and accidents as much as from the enemy. Towards the end of his tour, Johnson is faced with one of the most unpleasant surprises of the war - when the 1st Cav tries to repeat its Ia Drang success in the wake of the Tet Offensive, they assault the A Shau valley to be met with devastating radar-guided heavy calibre AA which makes mincemeat of its Hueys.
Johnson had the misfortune of being shot down, and his account of evading capture with his surviving crew and infantryman passengers is one of the most engrossing sections of the book. Johnson never shies away from admitting his fear and trepidation, and comes across as a more bolshy and decisive character than the more passive Mason.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Chickenhawk as a complement rather than a comparison.
November 26, 2020
Good memoir of the experience of a Huey pilot in Vietnam.
January 27, 2012
At Bob's 50th HS reunion (yes we're that old!) one of his classmates, also a Vietnam vet, told him about this book. In a thank you note to us for hosting the reunion in our backyard, he included a copy of the book for Bob. Since Bob and I visited the war sites in Vietnam in 2010, I, too, was very interested in reading it.
Tom Johnson, the author, was a helicopter pilot for the 1st CAV Air Mobile Division, the division Bob was in. For all of Bob's transports, from base camp to jungle, to another village or base camp, to a rice paddy to guard the harvesters, he and his unit were transported by Huey copters or huge Chinook copters. So we both were very interested in reading the former pilot's story. As I read it, I marked the various spots in the book and detailed Bob's similar or different experiences for our children. I'm mailing the book to Brian this week. I'm sure he'll be interested in it at some point. GREAT BOOK. Reads like a novel, but is factual. Tears me up that our soldiers go through so much in the name of freedom. Couldn't have a better cause.
Tom Johnson, the author, was a helicopter pilot for the 1st CAV Air Mobile Division, the division Bob was in. For all of Bob's transports, from base camp to jungle, to another village or base camp, to a rice paddy to guard the harvesters, he and his unit were transported by Huey copters or huge Chinook copters. So we both were very interested in reading the former pilot's story. As I read it, I marked the various spots in the book and detailed Bob's similar or different experiences for our children. I'm mailing the book to Brian this week. I'm sure he'll be interested in it at some point. GREAT BOOK. Reads like a novel, but is factual. Tears me up that our soldiers go through so much in the name of freedom. Couldn't have a better cause.
June 13, 2019
I've read a lot of 'Nam autobiographies and enjoyed them all. This is really one of the best written as to style, language and technical content (nicely detailed) balanced with the actual life experiences that set it apart. Surviving a year at the "point of the spear" as a Huey pilot is one thing, Johnson's last months are truly compelling considering the odds that quickly stacked up against him. The photos and maps are excellent in visually answering questions as to "who, what or where" without overwhelming or breaking up the line of the story. The photo of the M-2 carbine hanging on the left seat was perfect to make the point. Well done, Warrant Officer Johnson. Carry on!
February 9, 2023
One of the best books by a VN helicopter pilot. Like the descriptions of the mechanics of flying choppers. As described to me by another pilot “like walking on a beach ball”.
Would have liked more about his life post VN.
Would have liked more about his life post VN.
August 25, 2012
A definite 5 star read. A gripping tale of one man's experience as an Air Cav huey pilot in Vietnam. His stories are full of the bravery, fear and challenges these brave men faced.
March 15, 2018
Great memoir of a pilot that flew Hueys in Nam. Everything you would want in a book like this. It reads like it is based off of journals, and I liked that. I also liked that it appeared well researched, with footnotes giving a fuller picture of how people ended up after the war. Recommended for fans of the genre.
July 21, 2023
Love this book it's a great read recomend to anyone with a interest in the subject. Very brave people in what was basically a pointless war
July 12, 2022
This very well written and exciting autobiographical war story was a real page turner. Once started, my previously planned activities took a back seat until I finished it. I am amazed at how many different activities and events were packed into Tom Johnson's tour of Vietnam, including helicopter activities in II Corps, I Corps, a classified operation "over the fence", Tet, getting shot down, and so much more.
Some reviewers have compared this autobiography to "Chicken Hawk", which similarly describes Vietnam helicopter operations from a slick pilot's point-of-view. Both books are outstanding but few war books are as compelling a page turner as "To The Limit". The only bad thing about "To The Limit" is that it primarily covers the author's amazingly exciting experiences during his time in Vietnam together with key events from his previous military pilot training and recent marriage. These events had me both laughing and crying; I felt that I got to know Tom Johnson and his many comrades from his well-written descriptions. Consequently, I was very disappointed that this story terminated when he returned back to the States.
In my opinion, a key reason why "Chicken Hawk" was such an excellent war story was that it described the challenges that that author experienced after he had returned to "the world" (the USA). I believe that in many ways entering peace is similarly traumatic as going to war and I wanted to learn whether and how Tom Johnson and his family endured that difficult experience. Because he never told us, "To The Limit", in my mind at least, is incomplete and missing a key part of the story. While the book well-describes how a likeable young man can successfully and commendably endure horrendous war experiences "to the limit", it doesn't describe how that same man, as a veteran, returns to "the world" and copes with an unreal society at peace with whom he now has so little in common. I hope that he fared better than so many of our generation. I wish him all the best.
Some reviewers have compared this autobiography to "Chicken Hawk", which similarly describes Vietnam helicopter operations from a slick pilot's point-of-view. Both books are outstanding but few war books are as compelling a page turner as "To The Limit". The only bad thing about "To The Limit" is that it primarily covers the author's amazingly exciting experiences during his time in Vietnam together with key events from his previous military pilot training and recent marriage. These events had me both laughing and crying; I felt that I got to know Tom Johnson and his many comrades from his well-written descriptions. Consequently, I was very disappointed that this story terminated when he returned back to the States.
In my opinion, a key reason why "Chicken Hawk" was such an excellent war story was that it described the challenges that that author experienced after he had returned to "the world" (the USA). I believe that in many ways entering peace is similarly traumatic as going to war and I wanted to learn whether and how Tom Johnson and his family endured that difficult experience. Because he never told us, "To The Limit", in my mind at least, is incomplete and missing a key part of the story. While the book well-describes how a likeable young man can successfully and commendably endure horrendous war experiences "to the limit", it doesn't describe how that same man, as a veteran, returns to "the world" and copes with an unreal society at peace with whom he now has so little in common. I hope that he fared better than so many of our generation. I wish him all the best.
April 20, 2021
I don’t want to spoil too much, however I did finish this in two days if that says anything. I think it does.
The air mobile Cavalry divisions were in a large portion of the action in Vietnam. I have not read a lot of books from the helicopter pilot’s point of view. The whole book in some ways gives you the feel of the helicopter attack scene in ‘Apocalypse Now’ throughout most of the book throughout the story from the Huey pilot’s perspective.
The book really keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The air mobile Cavalry divisions were in a large portion of the action in Vietnam. I have not read a lot of books from the helicopter pilot’s point of view. The whole book in some ways gives you the feel of the helicopter attack scene in ‘Apocalypse Now’ throughout most of the book throughout the story from the Huey pilot’s perspective.
The book really keeps you on the edge of your seat.
January 3, 2012
I have read several books on Helicopter pilots in Vietnam and while this was an entertaining read for me it seemed to be lacking a certain spark to bump it up to a 4 star read.
March 7, 2020
This book is a definite YES for every Vietnam war enthusiast. Johnson doesn't boast about his superhuman skills like other memoirs authors, he simply tells it as it is. We feel his fears, enjoy his reliefs and everything else in a real page turner. These guys were the true definition of courage and the book is a must read to understand what the average slick pilot had to endure. Just the chapter on his crash and 3-days survival in triple canopy is worth the book in itself!
February 16, 2024
A gripping narrative of Johnson's time flying Hueys in Vietnam. If I had to pick fault, it would be with my edition's placement of captioned photos and maps, which often spoil the outcome of the action that's occurring.
Is it better than "Chickenhawk?" No, but it is it's equal. Both have a place on my shelf for future rereading.
I recommend "To the Limit" to anyone interested accounts of helicopter pilots in Vietnam.
Is it better than "Chickenhawk?" No, but it is it's equal. Both have a place on my shelf for future rereading.
I recommend "To the Limit" to anyone interested accounts of helicopter pilots in Vietnam.
July 30, 2019
Incredible
This book is incredible and I was constantly surprised by the events related in such a fantastically down to earth manner. There is less focus in this book on the mental impacts of combat beyond the sense of loss and fear than other books but a valuable perspective and worth reading.
My appreciation and respect to the author and those who serve.
This book is incredible and I was constantly surprised by the events related in such a fantastically down to earth manner. There is less focus in this book on the mental impacts of combat beyond the sense of loss and fear than other books but a valuable perspective and worth reading.
My appreciation and respect to the author and those who serve.
September 20, 2020
Praise from a fellow 1st Cav pilot.
A well written and realistic description of the time living in Vietnam and the experience of being a helicopter pilot. One of the best books about helicopter combat in Vietnam. I’ll recommend to fellow pilots and Vietnam veterans.
A well written and realistic description of the time living in Vietnam and the experience of being a helicopter pilot. One of the best books about helicopter combat in Vietnam. I’ll recommend to fellow pilots and Vietnam veterans.
March 15, 2021
Gripping
Took this old 67N crewchief right back to 1967. Terrifyingly real! Very well written.
Just once, though, I'd like to see greater acknowledgement to the guys that had to "go along for the ride"
Took this old 67N crewchief right back to 1967. Terrifyingly real! Very well written.
Just once, though, I'd like to see greater acknowledgement to the guys that had to "go along for the ride"
October 25, 2023
great read
I well told story of what it was like, loved the flashbacks woven in throughout about training. All these men were heroes! I appreciate them and their service as we all should!
I well told story of what it was like, loved the flashbacks woven in throughout about training. All these men were heroes! I appreciate them and their service as we all should!
April 1, 2024
Excellent first hand account written by a helicopter pilot in Vietnam 1967-68 as part of 1st Air Cav. Descriptions of battles of Hue and Khe Sanh as well as the Tet Offensive and action in the A Shau Valley. Very good
October 19, 2025
What if somebody wrote a Vietnam book, but took out all the war parts, and doubled down on the barracks shenanigans, physical descriptions of comrades in arms, vague statements of admiration for commanding officers, and exhaustively unabridged radio protocol?
September 7, 2017
A good memoir by a Huey pilot during the Vietnam War without too much technical description but still does a good job conveying the story. It also helps to have maps so you'll get a general idea where they are flying to or fighting.
February 25, 2021
Tämmösiin elämänkertoihin kaipaisin kronologista järjestystä, enkä takautumia. Kiinnostava kirja siitä huolimatta.
June 13, 2021
Five star book which I will keep on my shelf to read again in a few years. Well written story worth the read.
August 28, 2021
Outstanding account of one man's experience in the height of the Vietnam war.
December 19, 2021
This is a very good read!
May 24, 2023
Really enjoyed the storytelling, fells as though you are right there deployed with then in Vietnam
September 28, 2023
Amazing from the beginning to the end.
February 13, 2025
*audiobook
September 9, 2025
Audiobook
September 21, 2025
Excellent book. Well written and very engaging. Some very dark stories of death and war in Vietnam.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews