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A Bullet Through the Helmet: A Vietnam Dustoff Pilot's Memoir
A Bullet Through the Helmet tells true stories of Huey helicopter Medevac rescue missions flown during the Vietnam War.
- GenresNonfiction
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 9, 2020
I'm having a read-about-the-Vietnam-War moment. Colonel Moore joined the army as an officer and did rescue missions, basically: flew the helicopters that went in to pick up American (and sometimes South Vietnamese) soldiers who had been injured in battle.
The book starts out a little dry but picks up quickly. I think the biggest takeaway of this sort of book might just be that one's experience in the army (in any war) depends largely on the context of one being in the military. Moore was career military, with 30 years in; he describes his time in Vietnam (and Japan) as 'the four most important years of my life' (6) and 'the best four years of my life' (148). Context matters, no? It's jarring to me to see someone describe time in the Vietnam War as something so unequivocally positive, but for Moore it sounds like it was sort of an...adventure-cowboy time. (I'm not knocking his work, by the way, or discounting the danger he was in himself: if people were going to be in battle in the first place, I'm glad there were people there to give them a chance when they were injured.) I'm reminded of something I heard once about older men telling their WWII stories: that for some, going away to war was really the one time they travelled, or the farthest they ever went from home, or the time that was really outside their day-to-day life in the States. May or may not have been true for Moore, but this book made me think of that, anyway.
So I'll leave it with two positive moments:
Somewhere in all that confusion, I told Steve I'd been hit. His response demonstrated the worth of all that hard training at Fort Rucker because he replied very calmly, "Roger, Sir. I have the aircraft." Steve Peth saved our lives that night. (113)
And second, Moore's radio interaction with a soldier—identified only as Corner 24—who trips a booy-trap that doesn't go off immediately and waits to move, calmly, for his injured team to be evacuated before attempting to move away (I'll leave the result un-spoilered). The realities of the Vietnam War (its existence, the results, etc.) sadden me, but that doesn't mean that people involved at whatever level weren't doing very hard things with very real consequences.
The book starts out a little dry but picks up quickly. I think the biggest takeaway of this sort of book might just be that one's experience in the army (in any war) depends largely on the context of one being in the military. Moore was career military, with 30 years in; he describes his time in Vietnam (and Japan) as 'the four most important years of my life' (6) and 'the best four years of my life' (148). Context matters, no? It's jarring to me to see someone describe time in the Vietnam War as something so unequivocally positive, but for Moore it sounds like it was sort of an...adventure-cowboy time. (I'm not knocking his work, by the way, or discounting the danger he was in himself: if people were going to be in battle in the first place, I'm glad there were people there to give them a chance when they were injured.) I'm reminded of something I heard once about older men telling their WWII stories: that for some, going away to war was really the one time they travelled, or the farthest they ever went from home, or the time that was really outside their day-to-day life in the States. May or may not have been true for Moore, but this book made me think of that, anyway.
So I'll leave it with two positive moments:
Somewhere in all that confusion, I told Steve I'd been hit. His response demonstrated the worth of all that hard training at Fort Rucker because he replied very calmly, "Roger, Sir. I have the aircraft." Steve Peth saved our lives that night. (113)
And second, Moore's radio interaction with a soldier—identified only as Corner 24—who trips a booy-trap that doesn't go off immediately and waits to move, calmly, for his injured team to be evacuated before attempting to move away (I'll leave the result un-spoilered). The realities of the Vietnam War (its existence, the results, etc.) sadden me, but that doesn't mean that people involved at whatever level weren't doing very hard things with very real consequences.
December 2, 2020
Excellent book. Enjoyed reading the separate flying stories that this DUSTOFF pilot tells us about. A wide variety, not just about heavy duty combat. There is certainly some of that as well. I was surprised by the chapter on the Battle of Binh Gia. He tells his observations and participation from a flying perspective and I know the battle from an on the ground participant perspective. I was a SSG Intel Advisor on MACV Tm 89 that supported Phouc Tuy sector in which Binh Gia was located. When the NVA/VC first attack we responded with a company size RF/PF force. We immediately knew we were overwhelmingly outnumbered, smartly withdrew and called for reinforcements. The first ARVN Ranger Bn quickly arrived and the battle was on. Once they arrived our Tm went into a support role for them and the several other ARVN Ranger and ARVN Airborne Bn's that eventually were committed. This battle lasted well over week. Col Moore's book gives more details. He also did a great deal of research on what happened to the 3 American Advisors captured by the NVA. It is in this chapter. One other thing I vividly remember was when Gen Westmoreland flew in for a brief, I having been assigned for less than week, was tasked to brief him. Thankfully that went well. Read this book.....you will love it! DUSTOFF pilots were true heroes for us ground pounders!
April 19, 2020
Truly Amazing
This is truly one of the most enjoyable books I have ever taken the time to read. The characters are real people so you can envision each and every one of them. Doug Moore writes as if you are simply having a conversation at dinner. Thanks to him and the brave Dust Off and medical individuals, many survived injuries that were devastating but went on to live their lives. Many soldiers families were able to have their son or fairer in one cases returned to home for burial. Had it not been for people like Doug Moore and his fellow care givers, many would not have survived. For Colonel Moore to have spent so many years ensuring the recognition of brave and deserving individuals exhibits what a wonderful man he must be. Thanks for a wonderful story Sir.
This is truly one of the most enjoyable books I have ever taken the time to read. The characters are real people so you can envision each and every one of them. Doug Moore writes as if you are simply having a conversation at dinner. Thanks to him and the brave Dust Off and medical individuals, many survived injuries that were devastating but went on to live their lives. Many soldiers families were able to have their son or fairer in one cases returned to home for burial. Had it not been for people like Doug Moore and his fellow care givers, many would not have survived. For Colonel Moore to have spent so many years ensuring the recognition of brave and deserving individuals exhibits what a wonderful man he must be. Thanks for a wonderful story Sir.
November 14, 2020
About a Hello pilot who liked doing his job flying the winded out o fire zones
Very good book about a man who did his job in Vietnam flying people in and out of hot zones in Vietnam and our military needs more people like him in the military who pus others ahead of himself and does it day in and day out for the best for our great country
A man who shows the love for our country and the hurting
Very good book about a man who did his job in Vietnam flying people in and out of hot zones in Vietnam and our military needs more people like him in the military who pus others ahead of himself and does it day in and day out for the best for our great country
A man who shows the love for our country and the hurting
July 12, 2021
Honoured
I read the stories of those that served in Vietnam with a deep respect for their openness, honesty and commitment to their fellow combatants. This book highlights that spirit of brotherhood and serves to remind us of what they achieved against impossible odds. It is an honour to have read this story.
I read the stories of those that served in Vietnam with a deep respect for their openness, honesty and commitment to their fellow combatants. This book highlights that spirit of brotherhood and serves to remind us of what they achieved against impossible odds. It is an honour to have read this story.
July 26, 2021
How the wounded Soldiers in Vietnam got to hospitals Dou
Doug Moore did a fine job explaining how helicopters get wounded soldiers from the battlefield to the hospital. He tells how to do it plus all the problems and challenges to make it actually happen. Easy reading well written and very interesting to read!
Doug Moore did a fine job explaining how helicopters get wounded soldiers from the battlefield to the hospital. He tells how to do it plus all the problems and challenges to make it actually happen. Easy reading well written and very interesting to read!
June 9, 2025
Great read
I have a soft spot for Dust Offers and Vietnam veterans. Ordinary kids doing the extraordinary. Doing what their country asked of them only to return to an ungrateful nation. These kids were heroes like you can’t even imagine. This really put me there. God bless you, sir!
I have a soft spot for Dust Offers and Vietnam veterans. Ordinary kids doing the extraordinary. Doing what their country asked of them only to return to an ungrateful nation. These kids were heroes like you can’t even imagine. This really put me there. God bless you, sir!
June 27, 2020
Great Read
As an Army Aviator and Vietnam Veteran I was quite familiar with many locale mentioned in the book. Those dust off guys had very large gonads as the author relates in the book..
As an Army Aviator and Vietnam Veteran I was quite familiar with many locale mentioned in the book. Those dust off guys had very large gonads as the author relates in the book..
November 22, 2020
Great story
It's on the book you'll have a hard time putting down. The author holds your attention all the way through to the conclusion and you'll almost think you are in the action.
It's on the book you'll have a hard time putting down. The author holds your attention all the way through to the conclusion and you'll almost think you are in the action.
January 10, 2021
Two telling tours of a Dustoff Pilot.
I never went to Vietnam but the pages made me feel I was there. Douglas Moore conveyed the feelings and actions he experienced to the reader that so many of us will never experience.
I never went to Vietnam but the pages made me feel I was there. Douglas Moore conveyed the feelings and actions he experienced to the reader that so many of us will never experience.
April 20, 2021
This was a decent read. Personally, I enjoy a read with a bit more about the actual flight mechanics, but this was a nice collection of "War Stories" from a Veteran pilot. It was an easy and interesting read and I enjoyed it. Maybe a bit on the short side?
March 17, 2023
This is a very detailed book about what dustoff Pilots went through to save many many lives in the Vietnam War. I read it while staying in Yuma Arizona... and it gave the book a entire new feeling as helicopters were flying overhead in practice manovers.... Very good book
May 11, 2020
Great read
Very fun to read keeps you interested and the books flows really well. I enjoyed the detail of the events
Very fun to read keeps you interested and the books flows really well. I enjoyed the detail of the events
May 31, 2020
An excellent read
This book is an excellent read with lots of suspense and intrigue. I understand what the pilots in Vietnam went through and endured.
This book is an excellent read with lots of suspense and intrigue. I understand what the pilots in Vietnam went through and endured.
September 13, 2020
This is an AWESOME read
This is a window into the life of an American Hero, thank you Doug for your service to our nation !
This is a window into the life of an American Hero, thank you Doug for your service to our nation !
September 21, 2020
Great book and quick and fast reading
The book was extremely interesting and made quick and enjoyable reading. Recommend to anyone interested in Vietnam history. Enjoy it
The book was extremely interesting and made quick and enjoyable reading. Recommend to anyone interested in Vietnam history. Enjoy it
October 28, 2020
Saved my life.
I was in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. I am a disabled veteran and wrote ' Pacified Zone' my memories of combat Throughout three corps of the coun
I was in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. I am a disabled veteran and wrote ' Pacified Zone' my memories of combat Throughout three corps of the coun
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June 9, 2021Good Read, Lots of short stories about his time in Vietnam. Interesting reading and wanted to keep reading it to the end.
December 31, 2020
I love 'Nam helicopter pilots' memoirs. Doug Moore has done a great job with his story; I was taken to a not to distant past through his writing.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews