Firebirds: The Best First Person Account of Helicopter Combat in Vietnam Ever Written

by Chuck Carlock

Chuck Carlock volunteered to become a helicopter pilot in August 1966, convinced that by the time he finished training, the Vietnam War would be over. Little did he know that he would see some of the war's most intense action, including the Tet offensives. Carlock portrays countless dangers, from an elusive enemy and treacherous terrain to blinding weather, faulty equipment, and friendly fire. He rides the pendulum between fear and fearlessness during his many brushes with death. Along with the danger and tension, Carlock tells us about the camaraderie and humor shared by men who lived on the edge. Carlock's stories will sometimes shock you, sometimes bring a smile to your face, and sometimes make you angry. Learn about "secret" missions into a neutral country. Discover how the Walker spy ring cost American lives. Most of all, find out what it was like for a twenty-one-year-old farm boy to find himself suddenly immersed in vicious daily combat, making decisions that determined the fate of hundreds of lives.

Genres: History, Military Fiction, War

307 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 16, 1995

Reviews

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book about the Helicopter war in Vietnam. Chuck Carlock spent about two years flying Slicks and Gunships over Vietnam, a lot of it during the 1968, the year of Tet and two other major offensives from the Communist side. He survived, but lived a hair-raising existence -flitting between Firebases, Special Forces Camps and interminable LZs. Then he wrote it all down- with a tonne of cross-referencing with his fellow pilots.

In one of his musings, he opines that the sharp end of the American spear, was really only about 25,000 guys at any one time, so the fact that many of the actions in this book have begun to fit in to a larger story developed in several other books, should not surprise. Several stories in this book started to seem familiar- then I realized that I had read about the same missions and assignments- from other participants' books and stories! But the pilot's perspective is always as interesting as the grunts or LRRPs from any mission. And Carlock's pretty good at telling a tale.

Although there are plenty of adult concepts and scenes in this book, a mature junior read will be rewarded for their efforts with real insight into the conflict. For the Gamer/Modeller/Military Enthusiast, this is a goldmine, especially if it folds nicely into your previous readings as it did for me. Plenty of Scenario concepts here and even more Diorama ideas. Carlock did just about everything you could do in a "Huey", so the palette is rich.

Read this book! I predict "FireBirds" on every gaming table playing , 'Nam, Team Yankee, Red Storm Rising, or Fate of A Nation games. This is one of the books 'Helo enthusiasts HAVE to read.

[Andrew Murphy]

Firebirds
Written by Chuck Carlock
Document by Andrew Murphy

The book Firebirds fits into the nonfiction category because it was written by a veteran of the Vietnam war, Chuck Carlock. This takes place in the Vietnam War, following Kamikaze Carlock, as his friends called him, through his tours in Vietnam flying and assisting the Firebirds. He made me feel like I was there, because he described his tours in the gunships well. The book pulled me in with interest. The main characters are believable because, of course they are real people, and because it feels like they are there. The author adequately describes the characters as well. I like the author's writing style because he has short topics within the parts and it was almost like it was scattered to me. It was still organized though, and intriguing. For example, the author once was instructed to take a general to a special forces base that had mortars pointed at a landing pad. He was supposed to land on the bunker, but the general replied that he wanted to land on the pad that had the mortars pointed at it. He wanted to make a “special appearance.” Carlock told him that he would only be on the pad for two seconds at the most, so they better jump out fast and move at “double time” (running). He was on the landing pad, counted two seconds and went into a spiraling climb as he heard the mortar shell launch. When he looked down, he saw the general walking to the bunker! The mortar shell hit, and out of the smoke came the general running to the bunker. If I had to compare this book to something, I would compare it to Saving Private Ryan because it explains the war following a person.Overall, I enjoyed the book. I feel this book is also like other war books I have read because it tells of the war from a veterans’ eyes.

[Dawson Killen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[Paul Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the memoir “Fire Birds”, Chuck Carlock presents himself as a 19 year old, army helicopter pilot who is almost crazy after 1 tour in Vietnam. He writes his story to inform the reader of helicopter warfare in Vietnam. He writes his memoir to people who went through the Vietnam War or people who are interested in learning about it in more depth. The author describes very well what he did in Vietnam, and how he got it done while trying to survive. Carlock writes about his experiences as a helicopter pilot from 1967-1968, which was in the middle of the Vietnam War. He realizes that war is not always the best thing and peace is not won by killing.

[Dorcey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been there and having done a few of the things author Carlock writes about in his incredible account of the helicopter war over Vietnam, I tried not to be overwhelmed with one harrowing account after another, tales of losing gallant men and other nonfiction dramas that went down around him. A very capable writer, Carlock brings foggy things about the Ten Year War into sharper focus where many have failed to do so. His perspective is to be savored and respected for what it is, one of the most shocking anthologies to come out of the war in Vietnam.

[April Howie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very honest, and humor as appropriate. Great read thus far ... Page 107 ...

[David A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not finish this book, in fact I only got about 1/4 of the way into it.
After really enjoying the previous Vietnam books I thought I would like this one also but, no go.