MASH Angels: Tales of an Air-Evac Helicopter Pilot in the Korean War

by Richard C. Kirkland

An inspiring first-hand account by military aviation pioneer Richard Kirkland recounts how he and a handful of daring helicopter pilots revolutionized battlefield medical evacuation and blazed the trail for modern air-evac flying. Prior to the Korean War, the helicopter was all but unknown, and rescue was uncertain at best for downed pilots and wounded soldiers stranded behind enemy lines. In MASH ANGELS Richard Kirkland recounts his experiences on the front lines of rescue flying and military medicine. Kirkland, a fighter pilot in the Pacific theatre in World War II, came to helicopter flying after the war almost by accident. Many military higher-ups had little use for this new, “worthless contraption.” But its life-saving performances in the Korean War quickly changed minds. The helicopter was the perfect partner for another revolution in military medical care―the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, or MASH, and the book also documents the real-life experiences of the MASH characters so familiar from the hit TV the nurses, surgeons (including the real “Hawkeye”), and helicopter pilots who forged a new era in military medical care. “Helicopters of the Third Air Rescue Group were given credit for picking up 846 pilots and aircrew from behind enemy lines during the Korean War,” writes Richard Kirkland. “Add to that 8,373 soldiers and airmen we snatched from the battlefields and air-taxied to the front-line MASH. Quite a feat for a handful of taxi drivers.”

Genres: History, Military History, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2009

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would never have come across this if I wasn't specifically looking for books about helicopter pilots, but I'm quite glad I found it. I really enjoyed his stories about the war and especially about his helicopter flights. This book really made me want to go back and rewatch episodes of MASH, and take more helicopter flight lessons! My full review is here.

[Maggie Kazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because my Dad is in this book - Lt. Jerry Pouhlin. I never saw or heard about this book until my parents moved into an assisted living home. He was 90 when I found the book - which I love but it does need some editing I agree. My Dad only told us one or two stories from Korea. I think of us together, watching MASH on tv - he never said, that was my unit, but he did talk about Hawkeye being very funny. He's from an era where you don't talk much about your war experiences. When I found the book in a box, and read the inscription to him, he was proud that I had found it and wanted to read it. I was in a plane and a helicopter practically from birth on - and I have to say, I wasn't too crazy about helicopter rides. What I did like was seeing how much he loved flying - it was effortless for him. We calculated his airtime once - he spent between two and three years completely airborne! I'm grateful Mr. Kirkland wrote the book - MASH units and helicopters need their histories told.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains information on some of the actual people that were the based for some of the MASH movie and television series characters. It begins with the introduction of helicopters in the military and how this vehicle changed the way, doctors treated wounded soldiers during the Korean War. The author is a veteran who flew missions pick up down pilots from the sea and extract wounded soldiers from the battlefield. The book in includes photograph and sketches that support understanding of the people and places.

[Robert]

Though the writing could stand some punching up, and the editing was a little lax, this is a very good read. It's an honest, interesting tail of a small part of an honorable man's extraordinary life. Unfortunately Mr. Kirkland passed away earlier this year (at almost 96), otherwise I'd pepper the poor guy with questions and requests for more. As it is, I'll just have to settle for the 5 other titles to his credit. If you pick this book up you'll not want to put it down until you're done. Maybe not even then.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Surprising to find no memoirs of nurse I began this to see what I could glean. Wound up discovering that the writers of MASH the TV show used several memoirs this being another. The writer went from flying jets in ww2 to choppers in Korea. A very educational read. The many medical and lifesaving tasks choppers now do routinely grew from men like this one and units like this. They were groundbreaking. So many owe them their lives.

[Vendea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wherein a reluctant jet pilot becomes a helicopter pilot and it is entertaining but also quite inspiring. Great stories. My only gripe is that the editing was a bit lacking - several typos and grammatical errors, but nothing too distracting.

[Michael McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great medical military saga

Loved this! Well written,the descriptions of living conditions put you there.
Amazed what these people did in Korea
Thanks to Richard for writing this book and to all veterans for your service!!!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating! A great look into not only the Korean War, but also the history of helicopters. This book has definitely made me more interested in both subjects!

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most candid memoir I have read. Almost oblivious. Amazing, heartfelt work.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

so good

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, written by a decorated World War II and Korean War veteran. The emphasis is helicopter pilots risking lives and getting wounded to MASH units. Different from MASH TV series, I learned how pilots did not fly by themselves but flew with medics. H-5 & H-19 were the helicopters, other planes were P-61 - Black Widow Night Fighter, SA-16 - Grumman Albatross Air Sea Rescue Flying Boat. Doctor, Captain Sam Gilfand "Hawkeye" was mentioned showing his humorous pranks.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read after having gotten into the M*A*S*H television series. It was neat to hear stories about chopper pilots in the Korean war. I'd definitely recommend it.