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Stingers: Vietnam War - Helicopter Gunships
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE VIDEO OF A VIETNAM HELICOPTER GUNSHIP IN LIVE COMBAT
Experience intense combat from the Crew Chief or Door Gunner’s seat in a Stinger helicopter gunship. The author presents this book based on his personal experiences in the Vietnam War as a 18-year-old gunship Crew Chief or Door Gunner. He wants the reader to experience what it is like to kill dozens of enemy combatants and collaterally, non-combatants. How to live with the frequent near-death experiences and the constant high probability of being killed. Endure the frequent loss of fellow soldiers in combat. Witness a young soldier losing all sense of humanity as he transforms into a warrior that thrives on killing.
The real life incidents portrays a platoon of Huey UH-1C gunships, called the “Stingers” and its elite, motivated crews. As a component of United States Army assault helicopter companies, the “guns” protected the Huey “slicks” as they inserted or extracted infantry troops from landing and pick up zones. The gunships often conducted “search and kill” missions and provided lifesaving protection to infantry units threatened by enemy forces.
Gunship crews were among the most lethal pilots, crew chiefs and door gunners in Army aviation. Some gunship crew chiefs had over 400 hundred personal kills. An intense warrior mentality was crucial to mission success and survival. Killing was a way of life in the guns.
One of the most decorated and experienced aviation combat units in the Vietnam War was the Stingers’ parent, the 116th Assault Helicopter Company, known as the “Hornets”. Follow the operational strategy as Army Command reassigns the Hornets from III Corps, near Saigon to Chu Lai in I Corps under the command of the 23rd Infantry Division, known as “Americal”. Experience the rapid increase of lethal enemy encounters. Americal imposed severe constraints on the Stingers in the aftermath of the My Lai massacre. The Stingers and slick platoons of the 116th, fight on.
The young combat veteran becomes “short” with just a few months left in his tour of duty. Americal reassigns the 116th to Quang Tri, one of the most dangerous places in Vietnam. The mission was to support the Laotian operation, Lam Son 719. Quang Tri was less than fifteen miles from North Vietnam. The rocket attacks on Quang Tri base camp were relentless. Soldiers became shell-shocked. War memories would haunt them for the rest of their lives.
The day finally came. The young warrior boards the Freedom Bird for the flight home. As the eastbound airliner crossed the border of South Vietnam, the returning soldiers break out into celebratory yells and relief. The onboard jubilation is short-lived. War damaged soldiers experience sudden decompression from the constant lethal threat endured for months on end. Soldiers begin to emotionally breakdown. The civilian flight attendants rush to calm the suffering heroes.
War news headlines are articulated in real-time to frame the author’s story.
The author portrays a balance of bravado militarism with the constant dilemma combat soldiers faced in Vietnam. It is a heroic endeavor to believe in upholding nationalistic pride and high principles of duty, honor and country. But when combat soldiers lose America’s support; when military morale and leadership falters; when the cause for war becomes questionable; a soldier has to find his own way to persevere and survive.
Join the author and deploy on your tour in the Vietnam War.
Experience intense combat from the Crew Chief or Door Gunner’s seat in a Stinger helicopter gunship. The author presents this book based on his personal experiences in the Vietnam War as a 18-year-old gunship Crew Chief or Door Gunner. He wants the reader to experience what it is like to kill dozens of enemy combatants and collaterally, non-combatants. How to live with the frequent near-death experiences and the constant high probability of being killed. Endure the frequent loss of fellow soldiers in combat. Witness a young soldier losing all sense of humanity as he transforms into a warrior that thrives on killing.
The real life incidents portrays a platoon of Huey UH-1C gunships, called the “Stingers” and its elite, motivated crews. As a component of United States Army assault helicopter companies, the “guns” protected the Huey “slicks” as they inserted or extracted infantry troops from landing and pick up zones. The gunships often conducted “search and kill” missions and provided lifesaving protection to infantry units threatened by enemy forces.
Gunship crews were among the most lethal pilots, crew chiefs and door gunners in Army aviation. Some gunship crew chiefs had over 400 hundred personal kills. An intense warrior mentality was crucial to mission success and survival. Killing was a way of life in the guns.
One of the most decorated and experienced aviation combat units in the Vietnam War was the Stingers’ parent, the 116th Assault Helicopter Company, known as the “Hornets”. Follow the operational strategy as Army Command reassigns the Hornets from III Corps, near Saigon to Chu Lai in I Corps under the command of the 23rd Infantry Division, known as “Americal”. Experience the rapid increase of lethal enemy encounters. Americal imposed severe constraints on the Stingers in the aftermath of the My Lai massacre. The Stingers and slick platoons of the 116th, fight on.
The young combat veteran becomes “short” with just a few months left in his tour of duty. Americal reassigns the 116th to Quang Tri, one of the most dangerous places in Vietnam. The mission was to support the Laotian operation, Lam Son 719. Quang Tri was less than fifteen miles from North Vietnam. The rocket attacks on Quang Tri base camp were relentless. Soldiers became shell-shocked. War memories would haunt them for the rest of their lives.
The day finally came. The young warrior boards the Freedom Bird for the flight home. As the eastbound airliner crossed the border of South Vietnam, the returning soldiers break out into celebratory yells and relief. The onboard jubilation is short-lived. War damaged soldiers experience sudden decompression from the constant lethal threat endured for months on end. Soldiers begin to emotionally breakdown. The civilian flight attendants rush to calm the suffering heroes.
War news headlines are articulated in real-time to frame the author’s story.
The author portrays a balance of bravado militarism with the constant dilemma combat soldiers faced in Vietnam. It is a heroic endeavor to believe in upholding nationalistic pride and high principles of duty, honor and country. But when combat soldiers lose America’s support; when military morale and leadership falters; when the cause for war becomes questionable; a soldier has to find his own way to persevere and survive.
Join the author and deploy on your tour in the Vietnam War.
- GenresWarMilitary Fiction
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 7, 2021
241 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
February 13, 2022
The only saving grace for autobiographical stories is that you know the person survived the horrific events and returned home to later write an account of his time in the 'Nam. This is one that is very hard to put down - a definite page-turner by Fred Allen.
I was an Air Force ER medic at Tan Son Nhut Air Base from July '68 to July '69. I volunteered for MEDCAP missions to outlying villages, treating the children and old men (no males from age 12-45 were present which tipped us off that it was a VC controlled village at night time). Our barracks were across the street from Hotel 3, the large helicopter base. I saw every version of helicopters on a daily basis and also witnessed a Huey go out of control and crash. Also responded to a crashed Huey and the crew and their dog survived. The Army Mortuary was next door to the ER and we could tell whether the remains were found floating in a field or burned to death, thanks to the particular odor. I say all this to provide my background in reading about the Stingers and their exploits and tragedies.
I can't imagine going on a support run to help save the grunts on the ground, knowing you are going directly into a hot zone and have 364 days left to do the same thing until you rotate home. It's all about the odds. One guy takes a round from below his seat, another one has his head blown off while leaning outside the chopper. A sane person would say they were nuts. Maybe in retrospect THEY would agree.
Fred Allen was "squared away" from the start, possessing a highly positive attitude and doing things by the book when, as the war grinded people down and complacency set in, he knew he could only control the duties he was tasked with. His insistence on inspecting the Stinger before mission lift-off saved his life and his crew mates at times. I can vouch for the plethora of people smoking weed and hallucinogenic drugs were very easy to buy.
He narrates the story as he is back there in his conscious, vivid memories and the reader gets pulled in along with him. His attack helicopter company were legendary for not only killing the VC but also saving the lives of the ground-pounders.
The BIG QUESTION every Vietnam Vet had after being there for a few months or more was this: "Why am I here and what the hell are we doing here?"
If you want a great read about helicopter warfare and the crews that flew them, pick this up. Fred is brutally honest about his time there and the personal toll he paid. I know - I was there. I had a knot in my stomach at times reading Stingers and rightfully so. I hope you are doing well, Fred. I salute you.
I was an Air Force ER medic at Tan Son Nhut Air Base from July '68 to July '69. I volunteered for MEDCAP missions to outlying villages, treating the children and old men (no males from age 12-45 were present which tipped us off that it was a VC controlled village at night time). Our barracks were across the street from Hotel 3, the large helicopter base. I saw every version of helicopters on a daily basis and also witnessed a Huey go out of control and crash. Also responded to a crashed Huey and the crew and their dog survived. The Army Mortuary was next door to the ER and we could tell whether the remains were found floating in a field or burned to death, thanks to the particular odor. I say all this to provide my background in reading about the Stingers and their exploits and tragedies.
I can't imagine going on a support run to help save the grunts on the ground, knowing you are going directly into a hot zone and have 364 days left to do the same thing until you rotate home. It's all about the odds. One guy takes a round from below his seat, another one has his head blown off while leaning outside the chopper. A sane person would say they were nuts. Maybe in retrospect THEY would agree.
Fred Allen was "squared away" from the start, possessing a highly positive attitude and doing things by the book when, as the war grinded people down and complacency set in, he knew he could only control the duties he was tasked with. His insistence on inspecting the Stinger before mission lift-off saved his life and his crew mates at times. I can vouch for the plethora of people smoking weed and hallucinogenic drugs were very easy to buy.
He narrates the story as he is back there in his conscious, vivid memories and the reader gets pulled in along with him. His attack helicopter company were legendary for not only killing the VC but also saving the lives of the ground-pounders.
The BIG QUESTION every Vietnam Vet had after being there for a few months or more was this: "Why am I here and what the hell are we doing here?"
If you want a great read about helicopter warfare and the crews that flew them, pick this up. Fred is brutally honest about his time there and the personal toll he paid. I know - I was there. I had a knot in my stomach at times reading Stingers and rightfully so. I hope you are doing well, Fred. I salute you.
November 30, 2021
Vary heavy read
Easy to read well written, this story will surely be with me for the rest of my life.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Easy to read well written, this story will surely be with me for the rest of my life.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
March 2, 2022
Amazing Action Within; A Must Read for ALL green soldiers!
"Stingers" is an appropriate title - if there ever were one - about the warning Nam in general and fighting aboard US Army Calvary gunships onboard Huey helicopters beginning in 1970-71. Fred Allen misses little in detail as he enters the war at the vulnerable age of 18, insisting along the way that he be positioned as a Door Gunner when fighting vast numbers of NVA and the comparatively few Viet Cong. Rapidly we descend into a hellish, sometimes gruesome series of attack missions that "takes us there" with the narrative running at a decent clip, no less. Time is of the essence as we see for ourselves that youth fighting for 12 months lose their patriotic zeal....and this is replaced with a simple will to survive. Not every attack orchestrated against US soldiers were at the hands of enemy troops; the author describes the impossible task of trying to get soldiers in guard towers guarding perimeters with full auto weaponry, to put aside their heroin needles and opium....and keep alert for impending NVA attacks. It was dangerous just speaking with our own Infantry about limiting their rampant drug use. As the author points out....by making hard drugs cheap and with near-limitless supply, our own military became infested with low morale, non- professionalism, sheer lack of duty and responsibility....and the enemy did this without firing a shot!
Truth be told, Light does illumine some scenes where the author refuses orders to shoot an unarmed child, standing still and petrified at the sight of many recently-shot bodies all around him. And yet again, the author disobeyed direct orders to assassinate a lone, unarmed child as the chopper banked and flew back to base....
We catch, for added emphasis, the news reports back in the US as Americans take up the anti-war stance at the end of every fast-paced chapter. The feelings of fighting for a lost cause becomes magnified with every newspaper clipping received by grunts and pilots alike. The "why are we here?" perspective takes its toll on every mission outbound....and in. It was a perfect hell, but not without more incredibly painful chapters to be lived....and perhaps written about. Truth is ...we have this wealth of hurt, of memories seared into the author's permanent memory, no less. This is why every time I see a Vietnam War Veteran, I thank them for fighting what was for them...a thankless war. I tell them that THEIR CAUSE taught America never again to fight wars unwinnable - but alas, this incredible group of men and women did their utmost best nevertheless...
I hope the author might consider an addendum to this book; I wish to know about the hurt inflicted upon our own soldiers by our own people! Alas, this too came to pass. I hope Fred Allen goes into detail about everyday events whereby American citizens treated HIM as if HE we're the enemy.
War is Hell.
If you think you've got it in you to descend into it through the eyes of an 18 year old, then venture forth. I promise you, it is a story you'll soon not forget.....
"Stingers" is an appropriate title - if there ever were one - about the warning Nam in general and fighting aboard US Army Calvary gunships onboard Huey helicopters beginning in 1970-71. Fred Allen misses little in detail as he enters the war at the vulnerable age of 18, insisting along the way that he be positioned as a Door Gunner when fighting vast numbers of NVA and the comparatively few Viet Cong. Rapidly we descend into a hellish, sometimes gruesome series of attack missions that "takes us there" with the narrative running at a decent clip, no less. Time is of the essence as we see for ourselves that youth fighting for 12 months lose their patriotic zeal....and this is replaced with a simple will to survive. Not every attack orchestrated against US soldiers were at the hands of enemy troops; the author describes the impossible task of trying to get soldiers in guard towers guarding perimeters with full auto weaponry, to put aside their heroin needles and opium....and keep alert for impending NVA attacks. It was dangerous just speaking with our own Infantry about limiting their rampant drug use. As the author points out....by making hard drugs cheap and with near-limitless supply, our own military became infested with low morale, non- professionalism, sheer lack of duty and responsibility....and the enemy did this without firing a shot!
Truth be told, Light does illumine some scenes where the author refuses orders to shoot an unarmed child, standing still and petrified at the sight of many recently-shot bodies all around him. And yet again, the author disobeyed direct orders to assassinate a lone, unarmed child as the chopper banked and flew back to base....
We catch, for added emphasis, the news reports back in the US as Americans take up the anti-war stance at the end of every fast-paced chapter. The feelings of fighting for a lost cause becomes magnified with every newspaper clipping received by grunts and pilots alike. The "why are we here?" perspective takes its toll on every mission outbound....and in. It was a perfect hell, but not without more incredibly painful chapters to be lived....and perhaps written about. Truth is ...we have this wealth of hurt, of memories seared into the author's permanent memory, no less. This is why every time I see a Vietnam War Veteran, I thank them for fighting what was for them...a thankless war. I tell them that THEIR CAUSE taught America never again to fight wars unwinnable - but alas, this incredible group of men and women did their utmost best nevertheless...
I hope the author might consider an addendum to this book; I wish to know about the hurt inflicted upon our own soldiers by our own people! Alas, this too came to pass. I hope Fred Allen goes into detail about everyday events whereby American citizens treated HIM as if HE we're the enemy.
War is Hell.
If you think you've got it in you to descend into it through the eyes of an 18 year old, then venture forth. I promise you, it is a story you'll soon not forget.....
September 25, 2022
Allen's book is the first I have read by a 'crew chief' -- i.e., the soldier who checks all aspects of a helicopter ship and certifies it safe to ride in (or not, of course), after which he takes the role of left sided gunner with a machine gun, with rules of engagement that can be summarized by "if he is running away or shoots at us, kill him!"
Allen's route to being one of the Stingers was circuitous. At the beginning of his story, I felt I was in a repetition of two sentence paragraphs which describes events concisely with with little context or reflection. Once in the Stingers the paragraphs became more thoroughly descriptive, basically describing we went there and killed so many of them. Then the context of the war intruded, things becoming chaotic because of the political wavering, very like what happens in "Lord of the Rings" when the ring is thrown into the mountain of fire. The troops fall into confusion. There was increased drug, weed, and alcohol use, which meant every one of those soldiers could not function, and the North Vietnamese Army did not have to waste ammunition to remove them!! This degradation is punctuated by news releases, all of which I remember from living through them!
At a crucial turning point, which I will not describe in more detail so as not to spoil the reader's experience, Allen determines he can no longer be a killer, that he is in danger of losing his humanity which he had checked at the door on becoming a Stinger, and asks to be given an assignment in the rear.
Thinking he was safe in the rear, that fabric was rent by a rocket which landed nearby, and Allen becomes very afraid of everything for the remainder of his tour. By this time, his ability to reflect on his experience, to comment on the political landscape, and to document his fears take up long and coherent and terrifying paragraphs.
The drama of this book is best illustrated in my mind by Ravel's "Bolero." It begin benignly enough and gradually entrains you and finally concludes in a shattering finale. Allen's descriptions were such that I believe I felt at least a little of what he must of felt!
Finally, I recognize and respect so much that this kind of memoir involves deep digging in areas of our psyches where we are totally defended. It is one thing to have gone through and done what Allen did; it is another thing to have lived it a second time, which is what had to be done to be able to write this book. I shall be bothered this book for a long time -- and that is a good thing!
Allen's route to being one of the Stingers was circuitous. At the beginning of his story, I felt I was in a repetition of two sentence paragraphs which describes events concisely with with little context or reflection. Once in the Stingers the paragraphs became more thoroughly descriptive, basically describing we went there and killed so many of them. Then the context of the war intruded, things becoming chaotic because of the political wavering, very like what happens in "Lord of the Rings" when the ring is thrown into the mountain of fire. The troops fall into confusion. There was increased drug, weed, and alcohol use, which meant every one of those soldiers could not function, and the North Vietnamese Army did not have to waste ammunition to remove them!! This degradation is punctuated by news releases, all of which I remember from living through them!
At a crucial turning point, which I will not describe in more detail so as not to spoil the reader's experience, Allen determines he can no longer be a killer, that he is in danger of losing his humanity which he had checked at the door on becoming a Stinger, and asks to be given an assignment in the rear.
Thinking he was safe in the rear, that fabric was rent by a rocket which landed nearby, and Allen becomes very afraid of everything for the remainder of his tour. By this time, his ability to reflect on his experience, to comment on the political landscape, and to document his fears take up long and coherent and terrifying paragraphs.
The drama of this book is best illustrated in my mind by Ravel's "Bolero." It begin benignly enough and gradually entrains you and finally concludes in a shattering finale. Allen's descriptions were such that I believe I felt at least a little of what he must of felt!
Finally, I recognize and respect so much that this kind of memoir involves deep digging in areas of our psyches where we are totally defended. It is one thing to have gone through and done what Allen did; it is another thing to have lived it a second time, which is what had to be done to be able to write this book. I shall be bothered this book for a long time -- and that is a good thing!
February 4, 2022
No loss of humanity…
The loss of humanity is mentioned many times yet I never got that impression. This telling of the horrors of this war is laden with humanity and the internal battle fought every single day to do the job soldiers are sent to do and not just to fight the enemy but to protect your comrades that are beside you. You exemplified humanity at its best when your world was at it worst. You did not kill the young boy when it certainly could have been chalked up to casualties of war. In that moment the innocent child you were when you stepped off the plane in Vietnam remained with you. Though damaged and hurt, he remained. The horrors that you can’t think about are kept in a safe place where they are less traumatizing to you. This book should be read by every high school student and every major league athlete who thinks they are exercising their right to voice their opinion by taking a knee during our National Anthem or in front of our flag. Their politics have nothing to do with the sacred, spilled blood of our service men and women that our flag represents. Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans!
The loss of humanity is mentioned many times yet I never got that impression. This telling of the horrors of this war is laden with humanity and the internal battle fought every single day to do the job soldiers are sent to do and not just to fight the enemy but to protect your comrades that are beside you. You exemplified humanity at its best when your world was at it worst. You did not kill the young boy when it certainly could have been chalked up to casualties of war. In that moment the innocent child you were when you stepped off the plane in Vietnam remained with you. Though damaged and hurt, he remained. The horrors that you can’t think about are kept in a safe place where they are less traumatizing to you. This book should be read by every high school student and every major league athlete who thinks they are exercising their right to voice their opinion by taking a knee during our National Anthem or in front of our flag. Their politics have nothing to do with the sacred, spilled blood of our service men and women that our flag represents. Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans!
March 12, 2022
God Bless all Vietnam Veterans
I have been retired from the USAF for more than 25 years as a 20 year veteran. I also grew up being a God fearing, Flag waving patriot. I was both a Cub and Boy Scout and took lots of pride in my uniforms. I am old enough to have worried about being drafted. Fortunately, Nixon ended the draft when I was 16. Because of the draft, my plan, during high school, was to enlist in the AF as soon as I graduated. I had no plan B, so after a year of dead end jobs, I enlisted anyway. Best decision of my life. I had several superiors who served in the Vietnam War. One was an ex-Marine who was wounded in the battle for Hue. None were very willing to share their stories. They prompted me to read about the War and I have read many, many books by Vietnam Veterans over the last 45+ years.
Fred Allen’s memoir is one of the very best. His easy to read style and short chapters make this book very hard to put down. I read it in three sittings.
God Bless you, Fred and Thank You for your service and patriotism.
Sincerely, Horace J. (Johnny) Marceaux Jr. USAF (Ret)
I have been retired from the USAF for more than 25 years as a 20 year veteran. I also grew up being a God fearing, Flag waving patriot. I was both a Cub and Boy Scout and took lots of pride in my uniforms. I am old enough to have worried about being drafted. Fortunately, Nixon ended the draft when I was 16. Because of the draft, my plan, during high school, was to enlist in the AF as soon as I graduated. I had no plan B, so after a year of dead end jobs, I enlisted anyway. Best decision of my life. I had several superiors who served in the Vietnam War. One was an ex-Marine who was wounded in the battle for Hue. None were very willing to share their stories. They prompted me to read about the War and I have read many, many books by Vietnam Veterans over the last 45+ years.
Fred Allen’s memoir is one of the very best. His easy to read style and short chapters make this book very hard to put down. I read it in three sittings.
God Bless you, Fred and Thank You for your service and patriotism.
Sincerely, Horace J. (Johnny) Marceaux Jr. USAF (Ret)
June 16, 2022
A powerful and emotional war memoir
I finished this book a few moments ago I and for some reason I'm finding it difficult to find the words to write this review.
Over the years I've read hundreds of war memoirs covering dozens of conflicts, with many dozens from the Vietnam war. A common theme that has upset and disgusted me for decades is the poor treatment many Vietnam Vets received after the war, and indifference to their mental suffering. Having just finished this book I find that now I'm angry about it. 50 years after the war and it's clear the author is still suffering mental anguish. He doesn't rant about his feelings regarding the war but he does talk about them a little, and the emotions are palpable.
The book is about his experience as a crew chief and door gunner of a Huey gunship during Vietnam. While he often discusses his daily life before and during Vietnam, the majority of the book covers his battle experiences, and he is effective
I finished this book a few moments ago I and for some reason I'm finding it difficult to find the words to write this review.
Over the years I've read hundreds of war memoirs covering dozens of conflicts, with many dozens from the Vietnam war. A common theme that has upset and disgusted me for decades is the poor treatment many Vietnam Vets received after the war, and indifference to their mental suffering. Having just finished this book I find that now I'm angry about it. 50 years after the war and it's clear the author is still suffering mental anguish. He doesn't rant about his feelings regarding the war but he does talk about them a little, and the emotions are palpable.
The book is about his experience as a crew chief and door gunner of a Huey gunship during Vietnam. While he often discusses his daily life before and during Vietnam, the majority of the book covers his battle experiences, and he is effective
December 2, 2021
Excellent, and so sad
Mr Allen's description of his time in that hell hole was great. He didn't just cover his actions, but included Headlines and facts that most people don't remember. He started gung-ho, but as the months went by, he let the reader know what he, as a person, was going through and how he was dealing with it. God be with all our Veterans, they have seen the worst.
Mr Allen's description of his time in that hell hole was great. He didn't just cover his actions, but included Headlines and facts that most people don't remember. He started gung-ho, but as the months went by, he let the reader know what he, as a person, was going through and how he was dealing with it. God be with all our Veterans, they have seen the worst.
December 8, 2021
From duty to surviving
Captivating personal account of an eighteen year old's two year journey from patriotism and duty to basic physical and emotional survival. Nice bit of writing Fred. Enlightening. Sobering. Words of Vietnam combat veterans brings many emotions. Especially sadness . To give so much. To get so little in return. Sad. But i am one who values what you did, Fred. In that one year.. And the years since. Thank you.
Captivating personal account of an eighteen year old's two year journey from patriotism and duty to basic physical and emotional survival. Nice bit of writing Fred. Enlightening. Sobering. Words of Vietnam combat veterans brings many emotions. Especially sadness . To give so much. To get so little in return. Sad. But i am one who values what you did, Fred. In that one year.. And the years since. Thank you.
December 17, 2021
Fellow warrior,The graphic descriptions were strongly authentic without overwhelming blood and guts.The emotions a young man experienced in these frightening and unusual times are well written.an honest look at war and changes a young man
Tom Allen 1st Air Cavalry, 3rd Brigade 68-69
Well written graphic description of door gunners life on a gun ship in the heat of battle.Emotional time for boy changing to man under fire.
Tom Allen 1st Air Cavalry, 3rd Brigade 68-69
Well written graphic description of door gunners life on a gun ship in the heat of battle.Emotional time for boy changing to man under fire.
July 8, 2022
Courage is a lifetime virtue
This is an important story into the journey of a young warrior involved in the most controversial war this nation ever fought. It is the type of story that must be told, not because of the events of the time but as a record of personal actions and the gallantry of our soldiers engaged in those events. As a citizen, I feel grateful to Mr. Allen for sharing his story and I thank him for doing so.
This is an important story into the journey of a young warrior involved in the most controversial war this nation ever fought. It is the type of story that must be told, not because of the events of the time but as a record of personal actions and the gallantry of our soldiers engaged in those events. As a citizen, I feel grateful to Mr. Allen for sharing his story and I thank him for doing so.
December 3, 2021
Gripping
This intense and honest account by a warrior conveys the tremendous courage and risk helicopter gunship crews faced every day. He provides a sober and clear eyed view of the war with recognition of great heroism by some and profound strategic mismanagement at the cost of so many lives. A powerful book.
This intense and honest account by a warrior conveys the tremendous courage and risk helicopter gunship crews faced every day. He provides a sober and clear eyed view of the war with recognition of great heroism by some and profound strategic mismanagement at the cost of so many lives. A powerful book.
February 16, 2022
The Horror of Vietnam
I could almost feel the excitement at the beginning which eventually became frustration and even disgust. Young, idealistic Americans caught up in a war they could not possibly win. High political and military leadership failed miserably the boots on the ground. I had been there but, fortunately, before it got too bad.
I could almost feel the excitement at the beginning which eventually became frustration and even disgust. Young, idealistic Americans caught up in a war they could not possibly win. High political and military leadership failed miserably the boots on the ground. I had been there but, fortunately, before it got too bad.
July 23, 2022
A warrior's true experiences in Vietnam
Wow what a book. Fred tells us all the details of a war the US government sent him into without a end game plan. He shares livid details of helicopter gunship fighting and the physical and emotional aftermath for him and his crews. Thank you Sir for your service.
Wow what a book. Fred tells us all the details of a war the US government sent him into without a end game plan. He shares livid details of helicopter gunship fighting and the physical and emotional aftermath for him and his crews. Thank you Sir for your service.
October 17, 2022
Great read. The only issue, which I’ve found is common with a lot of older authors, is the failure to use contractions. For example:
“What is a grease gun?”
Or
“It is a weapon of last resort”
The lack of them makes the dialogue sound like two robots talking to each other instead of young soldiers.
Otherwise, a highly recommended book.
“What is a grease gun?”
Or
“It is a weapon of last resort”
The lack of them makes the dialogue sound like two robots talking to each other instead of young soldiers.
Otherwise, a highly recommended book.
October 29, 2022
An insightful view of the Vietnam war.
No punches pulled, war at it's most brutal. I have read other books about Vietnam,but this gives by far, a real sense of what is was like,and how it effected the men during their tour, and their later life.
Thankfully their experiences are now being understood.
No punches pulled, war at it's most brutal. I have read other books about Vietnam,but this gives by far, a real sense of what is was like,and how it effected the men during their tour, and their later life.
Thankfully their experiences are now being understood.
April 2, 2023
The ignore war
I had never read any literature about this war but knew it was unpopular in the US. That shouldn't take anything away from the courage of the military involved as described in a matter of fact way in this book. A window into a particularly difficult time for the US
I had never read any literature about this war but knew it was unpopular in the US. That shouldn't take anything away from the courage of the military involved as described in a matter of fact way in this book. A window into a particularly difficult time for the US
August 26, 2023
Good read from someone who was there, from the start of tour to the end and the mental changes that were undergone. Those who served there were often blamed, they were all just pawns, regardless of whether they joined willingly or were drafted. In the end just used to let the elitists profit. A situation that has only grown worse in the years since.
October 7, 2023
An eye opening book on the horror of war.
I have read many autobiographies of helicopter pilots from the Vietnam war. This is an riveting book on what it was like to be a crew chief and door gunner of a helicopter gunship. I hope writing this helped you find peace with yourself. Thank you for your service Fred.
I have read many autobiographies of helicopter pilots from the Vietnam war. This is an riveting book on what it was like to be a crew chief and door gunner of a helicopter gunship. I hope writing this helped you find peace with yourself. Thank you for your service Fred.
May 23, 2024
Heart rendering
I have no idea how these men climbed into their aircraft day after day knowing full well what awaited them, on top of facing their enemies they also had to face their own demons, it is no wonder they suffered so much with PTSD on their return to the normal world, as a ex service man who has experienced combat I salute you.
I have no idea how these men climbed into their aircraft day after day knowing full well what awaited them, on top of facing their enemies they also had to face their own demons, it is no wonder they suffered so much with PTSD on their return to the normal world, as a ex service man who has experienced combat I salute you.
October 15, 2021
Must read for Vets
As an ex crew chief /door gunner I felt like I was reading pretty much my own biography. No holds barred. Took quite a bit to write this book
It has taken me 50years to reach the point where I think I am ready to visit the wall
Welcome home brothers
As an ex crew chief /door gunner I felt like I was reading pretty much my own biography. No holds barred. Took quite a bit to write this book
It has taken me 50years to reach the point where I think I am ready to visit the wall
Welcome home brothers
October 18, 2021
Honest and Rewarding
I’ve read dozens of Vietnam books, written by our heroes who served. This is one of the best I’ve read; finished in 2 gulps. The author was, and is one of the best of his generation. I thank him for his service, and for his sharing.
I’ve read dozens of Vietnam books, written by our heroes who served. This is one of the best I’ve read; finished in 2 gulps. The author was, and is one of the best of his generation. I thank him for his service, and for his sharing.
November 2, 2021
Review
Thank you for the great read . I was 1st 22 infantry 4th division. Thank you for the chopper support. I got home DEC ,71. I hope we can all forget. We did our jobs. I was proud to serve. We were patriotic!!
Thank you for the great read . I was 1st 22 infantry 4th division. Thank you for the chopper support. I got home DEC ,71. I hope we can all forget. We did our jobs. I was proud to serve. We were patriotic!!
Read
November 26, 2021Opion
A very interesting read. I have just started reading books written by Vietnam vets. I am one. The stories are so exact to what I remember. This book is very intense at the end. I believe Sergeant Allen spoke for all of us.
A very interesting read. I have just started reading books written by Vietnam vets. I am one. The stories are so exact to what I remember. This book is very intense at the end. I believe Sergeant Allen spoke for all of us.
December 5, 2021
interesting perspective
This book was well edited and told an interesting story with little or no political slant. It was also told from a different perspective. Good read and short chapters were very appealing to me. Good job.
This book was well edited and told an interesting story with little or no political slant. It was also told from a different perspective. Good read and short chapters were very appealing to me. Good job.
January 17, 2022
This was a well written memoir of man that lived through one of the most dangerous jobs in Viet Nam
Thanks for serving and sharing your story.
If you are interested in Viet Nam a must read.five seventy three 573
Thanks for serving and sharing your story.
If you are interested in Viet Nam a must read.five seventy three 573
January 23, 2022
Another soldier's experience
A very good book on a helicopter gunners experience in Vietnam. If been trying to read on what others experience in the war was. The last two chapters hit me hard emotionally. Good job fred!
A very good book on a helicopter gunners experience in Vietnam. If been trying to read on what others experience in the war was. The last two chapters hit me hard emotionally. Good job fred!
January 24, 2022
painful
I knew guys who came back from this war who were never the same. Even the Navy guys who didn’t have to deal with the jungle, the cities, the dinks. Just “drop my load and back for chow.”
This tale reflects the loss.
I knew guys who came back from this war who were never the same. Even the Navy guys who didn’t have to deal with the jungle, the cities, the dinks. Just “drop my load and back for chow.”
This tale reflects the loss.
January 25, 2022
Very good and informative read.
I couldn't put the book down once I started reading it. The author not only kept the book informative but also made it a real nailbitter. I highly recommend this excellent read.
I couldn't put the book down once I started reading it. The author not only kept the book informative but also made it a real nailbitter. I highly recommend this excellent read.
February 6, 2022
Memories returned
I also was a crew chief/ gunner on a first Cav. Gunship. This book brought back lot of memories, good and bad. I am now 75 years old, it was good to read a book from the prospective of the guys in back.
I also was a crew chief/ gunner on a first Cav. Gunship. This book brought back lot of memories, good and bad. I am now 75 years old, it was good to read a book from the prospective of the guys in back.
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