Thanks Bill Lord for such a poignant article. I was Dustoff 22 flying with the 45th Medical Co Air Ambulance. The 9th Inf Div was an integral part of our operating area. I was there in 67 & 68 and flew many missions in support of the 9th.
Most of us were in our very early 20's, some still in their late teens. While the dangers were obvious, we all took a great deal of pride in being able to quite effectively save lives. Those of us who made it still speak of the brotherhood and the life-long bonds that persists. I found your words to be extraordinarily comforting and most appreciated. Funny though, those of us who flew felt safer flying than the thought of the things you "grunts" went through day after day.
In one of the comments, the crew chiefs and medics were mentioned. These young men (we had no female crew members in 67/68) never ceased to amaze me as to their extraordinary capabilities. They were the real life savers.
Thank you Bill.
2
I operated 93 “Sniffer” Missions with the 1st Cav primarily along the Cambodian border prior to the incursion in the Spring of ‘70. These were “low and slow” treetop level flights utilizing the latest technology to chemically analyze the air. The pilots hated them because we’d often draw ground fire. A “Loch” would hover above us if we got a hit, go down and scout the area, and call in a Cobra waiting @1500 feet if necessary. Frankly, I thought they were a waste of time as the VC and NVA had the option of engaging us if they wished.
I joined the Army to go to Flight School after Vietnam in 1977. I loved the job and the great men (veterans) that I met each and every day. These guys had the skills and the understanding of how to teach those things necessary to keep yourself alive flying for a living. And, there's nothing more interesting than listening to war veterans relaying their stories. I made it to retirement and enjoy the men I flew and served with and still stay in contact with. All those who've served understand the very special bond you have with men you served with (especially in war). Thank you for the great read Mr Lord, I truly enjoyed it.
For those that want to know of Vietnamese chopper cowboys, and the heart and bravely they flew with, read "SOG" by ret Major John Plaster (Amazon). American pilots and MACV-SOG Army Special Forces (SF) Recon men were joined together by their missions' requirements of getting into denied territory and hopefully getting out alive. These Recon men often found themselves in life or death need of rescue. Our chopper pilots came in again and again to get men out. AK-47s, anti-aircraft weapons and RPGs all, hit those choppers and pilots. Chopper pilots should have a monument at the Wall without question.
3
Bill Lord, you must have already left country when I got to Vietnam in December 1970. Thanks for your service with the 9th ID in the Delta.
I was on a Tango Boat (Assault Transport Carrier-ATC), and I have two experiences of landing Huey's aboard our (very small) flight deck - about 20 by 30 feet, on a boat in the middle of a river or canal. They would land to take off wounded, and it wasn't easy
The pilots really couldn't see the deck very well, and it required a enlisted boat captain waving him in, and a crewman (me) hollering into a radio telling the pilot how far off the deck they were. It took a lot of guts to make the landing, but those helo cowboys really knew their ships, and I still admire their courage to this day. It saved a lot of wounded men when they had them to an operating room in minutes.
2
Thank you Lord.
Two thoughts to add:
1. For the Army back then, there were usually two non-pilots in the back of the Huey. For Dustoff (medical evac), one was the crewchief who "owned" the helicopter, the other was the medic. While the pilots were mix & match, flying with different people and aircraft all the time, the crewchief and medic usually stayed together as a team. After flying, the pilots could go off and have a beer; the crew started the remainder of their day by cleaning up and servicing the aircraft. Also, it took a great deal of faith for them to sit in the back relying entirely on the skill and judgment of the pilots, and holding on during some violent maneuvers at the bottom of hot approaches. Then they had to get out in the face of whatever was going on to load patients.
1.a. At the time, as a pilot, I thought the main piece of the mission was the flying. But, in reality, the main piece was the medic, getting to the wounded ASAP and patching and stabilizing him enroute to the ER.
2. Let's hear a big hand for Textron Bell, makers of the Huey. By the time they loaded the strong engine into the UH-1H, that sucker was as reliable as an aircraft could be. It did what you needed it to, and then some. It didn't have the raw lifting power of today's utility a/c, but with skill and finesse you could always fill it and take off. And yes, you could chop down (very very thin) trees.
Dustoff 80, 82nd MED Binh Thuy (Delta Dustoff) 69-70
5
I now a Vietnam helicopter pilot who is now a neurosurgeon. He is on elf the best doctors and happiest people I have ever known. I feel just barely worthy to be in his presence.
My next door neighbor in Michigan the summers I spent there while attending college in Boston was a bit less focused on his studies than I was, and did not stick in the local college. Soon thereafter, he was drafted--into the Marines.
He got the 2nd cushiest job in the Marines for an enlisted man: guarding the nuclear weapons on an aircraft carrier offshore. (Cushiest was embassy duty.) A few weeks into his duty, the "down man" on the rescue helicopter did not make it back from a failed rescue mission. My neighbor was "volunteered" to be the replacement "down man" with no training or experience beyond boot camp and some quick discussions with the rest of the rescue crew.
"Down man" has to be one of the highest risk jobs there can be. Your presence is announced by a large, slow helicopter flying over enemy territory. You are lowered like a target in a shooting gallery dangling from a cable. Your job is to find the downed crewmen, provide first aid, defend the perimeter as needed, and get the men onto the copter. (This job description is from others, Navy fliers I had talked to at school--my neighbor did not offer the information.) You are the last man up.
My neighbor had made several successful missions when I met him while on leave the summer of '67. I asked him how scared he was. His response was a common one: "You are so busy doing your job, there is no time to be scared."
Heroes, self-acknowledged or not.
5
Someone asked for some stories about the South Vietnamese.
I know a remarkable man who was a pilot, and most unusually, a pilot with five children at the time. He was also shot down, serving his country, but survived. With the fall of Saigon he brought his entire family to his new home, the United States of America. He owns a superb Vietnamese/French restaurant in California and all of his children are independent and successful. Quite impressive.
3
I had a first cousin who was shot down as a helicopter pilot, just a week before he was scheduled for leave to see his mother who was dying of breast cancer.
I remember that two representatives from the army came to the door and told his father that he was burnt beyond recognition and that they identified him by his “dog tags”.
1
Thank for the perspective. I come from the rub some dirt on it and shut up about your problems era and I pretty much still live that way, but even I know you don't put a shell shocked pilot back in a chopper and hand him the stick as a form of therapy. Muy macho, but come on.
1
One omitted detail here: Did the CO who ordered that pilot to get in and take the stick ride in that chopper himself?...
3
Thanks for your story as in these challenging times many of our young and old pilots are struggling with whether to stay or leave service. Your perspective of these men and women are the enduring reason as to the "WHY" I've stayed serving more than 30 years. Thank you for your service and the awesome perspective of those above the battle.
3
Great read Bill. Thank you for your service.
4
Took me a second to notice that email address. Glad you liked it. It’s an excerpt from a book I’m trying to get published. Best, B.L.
1
“Never fly in a helicopter!” “There are too many moving parts!” 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion - Flying Dragons “Tet” - ‘68 RGM
2
With your thosands of whirring helicopters, your eight and a half million tons of bombs, your twenty million gallons of Agent Ornage, your free fire zones to drive the peasantry into the city slums so as to be able to control them, your hundreds of tons of dollars, your bribed crooked politicians, you Americans tried to smash a peasant people into submission. You failed because they were packed with guts and had unimaginable endurance. Sometimes good things happen in this world. Now just get into that failed Copter and go.
2
A terrible tragedy for both sides and yes they won.
1
A tragedy for both sides!
If you and anyone else takes a look at the Comment by Gal Philly you will see a reference to the book "Chicken Hawk" written by a Nam helo-pilot - Robert Mason.
Believe it or not this pilot says in his book up front and center exactly what you Herb Stein say about the devastation heaped unto the Vietnamese people ! Furthermore this pilot is revered by the military and attends an annual reunion like gathering of Army heli-copter pilots. So at least some of the actual military practitioners have learned and agree with YOU!
1
If this article grabs you, get a book called, "Chicken Hawk," written by a U.S. chopper pilot, in Vietnam for his one-year tour. What those pilots did was some of the most creative and courageous work ever.
Sample: If the pilot arrived at a site where someone was hurt enough to be hospitalized, but the casualty was under a thick canopy of treetops, the pilot would slowly lower the chopper down into the foliage until the rotor blades turned the machine into the largest gardening tool ever. When the body of the chopper was low enough, the casualty would be lifted into the Huey (a type of helicopter) and the pilot would carefully lift up and out, do a Huey slope and git the heck out of Dodge
Mission accomplished. No sweat.
4
I dont believe it, never saw it. I was there a year. That would be stupid.
1
George my man you were not there long enough. I did it, two tours as a combat helicopter pilot. One tour with the 336th AHC one tour with C TRP. 16th Cav.
3
As a 1400+ hr Huey aircrew (2 tours also), I can tell you what John Leandro heard. Crewchief: Can we go 2 ft left, we have some light stuff we're going to hit. Gunner: We have some 1" stuff we'll hit A/C: Put us through the thinnest stuff. CC: come to left a ft, swing tail a little right. (The tail is like the most sensitive flight surface there is and will bring you down fast if tangled up with anything much more than elephant grass is contacted, always keep the tail clear) To keep perspective on the overall, we will have 5-6 grunts onboard, in high temps 90-105f (high DA, is what reduces lift in a helicopter.) Aircrew did this wearing Nomax flight uniforms and gloves, about as comfortable as something between polyester and saran-wrap, a flight helmet with the visor pulled down for eye protection (holds in MORE heat), and the beloved "Chickenplate" a 8.5 lbs ceramic bullet proof vest, heavy and hot, sometimes sat on for vital equipment protection. Sweat pouring off your face, across your eyes wishing you were anywhere else than there. We did it for the guy that sat next to us because he'd done it for me. We flew support for 1/7th Cav, 75th rangers and the 5th from Tay Nihn in the fishook area on the Cambodian border. 1st Cav. A/229th AHB "Black Bandits" at your service. John Leandro, did I leave anything out? Other than our heart jumping out of our chests and remarkable all done in a calm, professional manner. Welcome home John.
3
Truly heroic: all my guys who served & had no choice.
I had over 100 combat assaults with the 1st Cavalry Division in 1967. I served with the 1st of the 9th Armed Gunship squadron (4 of our pilots received Medal of Honor during the conflict) Later served as FO on the ground with 5th of the 7th A company. Lots of stories. here is one from my first week in combat.
https://www.booksie.com/posting/generous-george/a-helicopter-ride-369480
1
I married one of these guys. The coolest of the cool dudes.
I am tired of these narcissistic American stories about Vietnam. Can we have the recollections of some Vietnamese, please? After all, it is their country and not yours.
How about the Vietcong and North Vietnamese helicopter and B-52 bomber pilots? Do they have no stories?
1
For a good read on this topic, I recommend "Chickenhawk". Robert Mason's narrative about his experiences as a "Huey" UH-1 Iroquois helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War (circa 1965). Mr. Mason does an excellent job describing aircraft, the war, and piloting techniques. He was particularly critical of the lack of armor plating under the pilots' compartment. The design flaw resulted in many losses to pilots, crews and aircraft until armor retrofitting was implemented.
8
The title, "Chickenhawk", came from a conversation Mason had with a fellow helicopter pilot in 1965 while waiting to pick up some "grunts" ("straight leg infantry","foot soldiers") in Vietnam. The two were describing their alternating feelings of terror and courage as they flew missions.
One of the best men I've ever met was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, and whose father was an Air Force general at the time of the war. He lost a lot of friends. I remember him saying how when he'd come into a hot landing zone, with bullets zipping past and even through the cockpit, he and his co-pilot would have to fight the instinct to "pull ourselves up into our helmets" to avoid the bullets, and rather, keep on flying the chopper properly. They were utterly dedicated to the welfare of the men they were flying into and out of combat.
7
I shared this with a few of my Hmong students whose fathers and grandfathers and uncles fought on "our" side during the Vietnam War in Laos. The bravery of the pilots and our soldiers is not to be doubted; their casualties tragic at 58,000+. My Hmong students' relatives too were persecuted and chased out of Laos after the war for siding with us--they were finally given asylum and veterans' benefits after the late (great) Senator Wellstone from Minnesota advocated for all the Hmong fighters who advocated, saved and fought alongside the Americans and South Vietnamese. Millions of Vietnamese died. Millions. Tens of thousands of Hmong as well. This war was a tragedy and its purposes dubious. The soldiers are never to blame. But I DO blame our leaders--then and now...chicken hawks who never fought themselves, but who easily sign on so other people's children can die for various leaders' pet causes. It was always this way and it has always been morally repugnant and disgusting. Will we ever learn?
18
No ... we will never learn and our senior politicians, military and religious leaders will continue to promote war.
2
I was a flight paramedic at MedSTAR, Washington Hospital Center's medevac program from 1988-1997; most of our pilots were Viet Nam War veterans. They loved to fly (as did the medical crew)! We trusted them with our lives, and they always came through. Often times, during a quiet night shift the guys would tell stories about their days in Viet Nam. Many of our pilots had been shot at and shot down over there. But not one of them would trade their time flying over there to be safe over here, not flying. I loved my days at MedSTAR and I loved all of our pilots, as well!! God Bless, gentlemen!!
12
I was a corpsman with the Marines in Vietnam. I had the honor of having gotten to know many, many brave men over there. As in any war, much heroism goes unrecognized because that's part of the job description. I never got to know any of the chopper pilots and crew chiefs personally so I never had a chance to thank them for what they did. It takes inhuman bravery to deliberately fly into a hot LZ to pick up casualties . . .
So I will take this opportunity to humbly and gratefully acknowledge those guys and their bravery. They risked their lives to save the lives of others. Theirs was a big load . . .
Thanks, guys.
18
Excellent article, Thank you
10
Thanks. The pilots were awesome.
Bill
2
I flew small fixed wing airplanes in VietNam (think Bat 21). I was lucky. I got shot at but definitely a little harder to hit than choppers landing in hot LZs.
I watched chopper operations from a little higher altitude and marveled at how 'crazy' those guys were. They did stuff that was mind boggling.
A few years later I joined the Coast Guard and flew Search and Rescue in Alaska in the venerable C-130 aircraft. Lo and behold the CG was chock full of former Army helo pilots (VN vets) doing the same 'crazy' stuff over the Bering Sea (think Deadliest Catch).
No doubt there were a lot of brave people in VN fighting that ..... war (you fill in the blank) but if you want to know what real bravery is, think chopper pilots.....combat and/or search and rescue. BTW how do you think the Navy Seals get to the scene where they do their thing? How do they get out? US Army choppers (160th Special Aviation Ops unit).
14
Hard and fast, beautiful and bold is how I would describe the Vietnam Helicopter pilots I've ever had the privilege to meet. Salute.
6
Those Special Ops pilots are the best!!!!!! They can land a chopper on a toothpick if they need to. Very brave men.
4
I was never on a chopper when I was in Vietnam, but my father was a passenger so often he got a air medal.
My dad loved those pilots, he wanted to be a flyer when he signed up for WWII in 1944, but didn't have 20/20 vision.
Dad was in Vietnam twice, 1964-65, Saigon and Pleiku, and 1969-71, Pleiku, and he said some of the same pilots flew him during both tours. He said that they loved it despite the risks, and noted got nice bonuses for extending their tours.
What can you say? Some people love their jobs and those that also love our country are doubly blessed when serving.
7
Thanks, Bill. That was great.
7
Glad you liked it. Sorry it took 50 years to tell the story.
Bill
2
The courage was real.
13
Every politician who chooses to send a young man to war should visit a V.A. hospital first. The next stop should be a Veterans Home. You'll see old soldiers, many with broken parts you can see, some you can't. Somewhere there, usually outside their room, you'll see pictures from when they were virile young men. Just like Bill Lord. Thank you.
27
I was a high school to flight school Huey pilot stationed in Korea in 1980. I was a inexperienced kid but most of the pilots in our air assault unit were Vietnam combat vets. Interestingly I don’t recall any of them telling me any stories about their experiences there. I know they had them but maybe the memories were too fresh. Thanks for the story.
5
I was in Korea flying CH-47s in 1975-76. I missed Vietnam. You usually didn't hear their stories from the pilots but from their friends. Occasionally they'd open up at the O Club or in the numerous bars in the village after the days flying. Some guys survived horrendous disasters and lengthy stays in the hospitals and showed no signs of the affects, perfectly well adjusted young men and usually very likable. I was always amazed. A few had severe trauma and self medicated with alcohol. All of us patiently looked after them and "covered" for some of their mistakes and they were always forgiven. Usually that happened on the ground. My unit sponsored a children's orphanage in the village outside the gate (Camp Humphreys). All in all there wasn't a better group of human beings I've ever been around. 213th (Black Cats) Aviation Company
5
War brings out the best and worst in humanity. The world can certainly do without it.
10
We should not glorify that "there is no time for grieving now" because it means, sadly, that it will be done later as PTSD.
8
Hugh Thompson was the bravest of them all
13
I've been telling my kids bedtime stories about Hugh Thompson since they were four years old. I think they just might know, now, what a hero is.
3
Is no one thinking of the 2,000,000 Vietnamese civilians killed or maimed in this senseless war? "Taking" hills one day, deserting them the next? How many My Lais were there, with old women and children of all ages slaughtered on the ground? And this was the best job these pilots ever had? Makes me sick to my stomach.
Escondido Bobcat
8
Most of the folks you condemn so casually Jan, were 18-19 year old conscripts and were probably just trying to get through the War in one piece (many of them did not). Others truly believed what they were told about the 'Domino Theory' in S.E Asia. So, I would suggest you focus your criticism, from the comfort of your home in Escondido, on the Masters of that war and their Chicken-Hawk enablers in the military-industrial complex-Who BTW are still very much with us, and still pushing for more Wars that surly and needlessly will cost our young people and their families so much pain and sacrifice.
16
BRAVO!
1
Would ever a current politician, those so eager to declare a war all remaining in the safety of their luxurious home, understand the courage and the self-sacrificing spirit of a soldier putting his own life at risk to save a comrade-in-arm from the enemy?
13
One of my best friends in college was an older and a returning helicopter pilot - We called him 'Captain Johnny'. He was one of the sharpest and shrewdest fellows I met while in school, had a beautiful wife and two young wonderful children; but he had a mad streak about him.
When we fellows would go out for drinks the girls were always all over him, and we learned quickly never to go with him into the rough sections of town t that he would sometime frequent, because of the trouble he could get himself into when he was in one of his moods. I only learned that lesson myself after a confrontation we had in a biker bar with some Hells Angles; which I think we two only survived after one of the elder HA's (who it turned out was a ground combat veteran himself ) learned John was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam.
So, yes John was a brilliant man, had a fantastic and sharp mind and was able to teach some of us young bucks in college a thing or two about math and about life, and how to conduct yourself around other people in tight situations. But the last I heard about him was that he had divorced his wife, dropped out of school and was selling cars at a large dealership (and drinking heavily). So thanks Captain John for your life's lessons ,and for your brave and valiant service in the jungles. But know that there is at least one person who is aware that although your wounds from the war were not physical, they still seemed to cost you (and your family) greatly.
30
My best buddy in artillery school became a chopper pilot. We went our separate ways after Ft. Sill but both ended up in Nam at the same time. It wasn't until 25 years I came home that I found that out and that he was KIA no more than 25 kilometers from where my artillery battery was based. I think of him often and how it was that some came home and some didn't.
10
A very unique story, finding an example that exemplifies the inner spirit of the pilot was special, Thank you. I do have to say I differ from your helicopter friend. When I got home I just thanked God I came back whole and moved on-away from the Huey:)
7
Thanks for this story that opens my mind and my heart for the relatives and friends who served in Vietnam. It also reminds me that we did not honor and treasure those guys at the time so any stories and accolades are much appreciated. Thank you Bill Lord, Vaughn Crayton, Mo Wilson, and all the other (formerly) young men.
18
Thanks, Bill. I really enjoyed this. I was a radio operator in the Marines, long after Vietnam and I swear we still used the PRC-77! I see that handset on your flak vest. Semper Fi.
5
Ha. Our battalion commander who flew above us always said I sounded like I was talking under water. But somehow it always worked.
Bill
59 thousand die for what? The Vatican was the largest land owner in South Vietnam, it's flag flew along side of the South Vietnamese.
These days we are losing 59 thousand per year from opioid overdose.
Millions have died in the Middle East, for what?
Unless and until we get our Military Industrial Complex and Deep State under control we will continue to sink into the abyss of money and death.
29
Actually, it was originally "The Congressional, Military, Industrial Conspiracy" until Ike's arm was twisted by House & Senate leaders.
Thus the confusion of his intentions that lingers to this day over 50 yrs later!
And how many choppers and chopper pilots did the National Liberation Front aka Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army have in Vietnam?
4
Good report. Thanks, Bill ... for everything. I left Vietnam 50 years ago this month. Life has been good to me ... a loving wife (the second one); healthy and educated children, all now productive adults; healthy grandchildren; seven dogs; two Harleys and several sports cars; a rewarding career and a secure retirement; retired military health insurance benefits; New York Times on the screen of my laptop, 24 hours a day. I'm living the American Dream. But not a day goes by that I don't think of the Vietnam days. Getting up and back on the bicycle has been a mantra ... a way of dealing with Life. And I owe it all to the United States Navy. I am the Fortunate Son.
16
I always used the song “Fortunate Son” as a little chip on my shoulder since Vietnam. I too am grateful for a great family, great jobs and good health. But whenever I visit The Wall I always ask how I got all this. Why are their names on The Wall and not mine. It’s always a sobering thought.
Bill
2
I know it is regarded as trite, banal, silly by some, but thanks for your service, Bill.
11
Thank you for publishing this article. My close friend was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He flew mostly night missions. He was awarded several several medals for incredible valor. I asked him what scared him the most when he was flying? Flying in storms at night? Conducting extractions of Seal team members under heavy fire? Crashing? Being shot at constantly from below? He said, "my greatest fear was me making a mistake that would result in me letting my team down".
39
I was almost a door gunner as it turned out what I had enlisted for was a poor choice. Luckily, I was offered a chance to go to air traffic control school. One of the best life choices I ever made.
10
God Bless all those brave men and women who protect our way of life.
8
Jane, if only that was exactly what so many were doing. As so many are not actually protecting us, but otherwise engaged in suspicious actions, that do nothing but recruit for the opposition, and harm our image and better intentions.
I also ask you/others, to evaluate the bigger picture of what "our way of life" truly means. Does that mean ,we get to go off and insert our soldiers and in far too many cases, off-book operatives, to commit actions that are less then legal, less then humane, or wholly not protecting our "national interests"..?
Does that include a President that denigrates our law enforcement agencies and agents? That desires billion dollar structures to pay him homage? (aka; The Wall) Whose family is making $$$ on their closeness to the Oval office.
Or how thousands of navy personnel were purposely exposed to radiation, with no safety protocols in place? Many of which are now suffering from cancers, etc...and the parties who knew better, knew the problems, are now pushing back. (Fukishima Nuclear disaster, and the USS Reagan, plus other ships crew exposure within hours of the events.)
Is that part of "our way of life"...? Is that what our service men and women are doing,why they signed up? To suffer and be denied health care, while the Trumps make bucks...?
17
Great story and as a Marine helicopter pilot in Vietnam, much appreciated. I too loved flying but not getting shot at. Our squadron, based at Quang Tri, lost many good men. I personally was shot down. My crew and I were rescued by our brave wingman who had to hover over a river while we swam out and climbed & pulled ourselves aboard. When I got back home I had a tough decision on whether to continue in aviation or use the GI Bill to go to law school. I chose the latter and have been practicing law for the last 40 years and continue to do so. Still fly occasionally, no regrets.
I will say it was a stupid war. 59,000 of my contemporaries killed and thousands more severely wounded, for absolutely nothing. And our country leaned nothing from this tragedy as proven by the Iraq War. Sending our young people to die in foreign lands is inexcusable. Not one war since WWII was worth even one American life. Why do we keep doing this? Why do the American people allow the politicians to keep doing this? I wish I knew.
130
Thank you, Chuck. Semper Fi.
7
The 1st Gulf War to eject Iraq from Kuwait was a just cause fought in an honorable way with allies and a clear objective against an unjust foe.
Sending our young people to fight in foreign ethnic sectarian civil wars that have no military solution nor an existential threat to American values and interests without a Congressional debate and declaration of war and financing' is inexcusable'.
31
You are referring to the first Bush Oil War aren't you? Saving the Kuwaiti dictatorship was no more just than JFK's Vietnam war.
2
As a psychologist at a Veterans Administration Medical Center, I knew a chopper pilot as he died of cancer in his mid-40s. He spent his time in hospital building scale models of the choppers he had flown, which the staff hung from the ceiling. Even as his body failed, his personality was large and bold.
Years later, I married a Vietnam Vet, one of the early advisors who went on to do covert missions in Southeast Asia. During dinner one night, I mentioned this pilot, who always stuck in my mind. My husband asked his name and dropped his fork when I told him. He said, in somewhat more colorful language, "That guy saved my bacon more than once! He was fearless, would defy orders to pick us up in the middle of a firefight. He never had to pay for a drink (or a woman) during his time in 'Nam."
49
So strange knowing it was 50 years ago for me, it terrifies me, but I miss it... and I cry in memory much more then 15 years ago
War never leaves you ... it never leaves us.
23
Thank you. I was an Army medic in 1965. It does not seem that long ago.
4
What is our nation’s history but the collected experiences of its citizens? The real history of the Vietnam war is the collection of events experienced by those who served, and experienced by every parent who lost their child in that war. Most of these stories will be lost to time. Thank you, Bill Lord, for sharing your story. Thank you, NY Times, for preserving it.
21
I got to know a couple of former Huey pilots (I guess you're always one, actually) while working for a big computer company in the Boston area. The primary manufacturing plants were in the western part of the state, and the company built a small fleet of 'copters to ferry employees between the two sites, saving a lot of time for getting to major meetings. Once they got to know you, and trust you, you'd get rides at treetop level, like a strafing run. It was incredible. Great guys, all of them. And we all were so amazed and thankful for their talents. The best people!
10
I have had a unique career in aviation when I started in 1980 the world war 2 generation of pilots were ending their career's while the Vietnam guys were fairly new so I got to hear war stories from both generations over beers at watering holes around the world.
Remember telling the captain on my first time flying into Frankfurt that it was a first for me. He casually remarked that on his first trip to Frankfurt he did not land, took a second to sink in then I asked Bombers or fighters? B-17 he replied and then told me some incredible stories from his youth in the skies over Europe. Wish I had recorded or written these stories down.
Same with the Vietnam guys, had a friend that flew rescue helicopters for the Air Force boy did he have a few crazy ones. Glad to see these stories in print. Thanks
16
Thanks, Bill. Good, strong, gripping writing. I received my draft card in '72 and never served, but that era seized and horrified, I think, just about every American. I'll never forget my mother saying to me in '65, "I'm so glad you're too young to fight in this war, it's a mess." Neither of us would ever imagine it not ending until the fall of Saigon in '75. From afar, I truly respected you who served, especially the 7th Cavalry units flying those Hueys. Incredible bravery. Politics aside, my thanks to you for your sacrifices and service. Blessings and peace, Bill.
19
Thank you.
Bill
Mr. Lord, thank you for this work. I did not understand this part of the war until now. This series and this column are very powerful and make me very thankful that I have never had to go to war. I cannot imagine the memories that soldiers deal with on a daily basis. I have a hard time understanding how American leaders let the Afghan war go on without end when we know that there is no victory.
14
Dear Mr Lord,
Thanks for writing this piece on helicopter pilots at war in Vietnam. It was forwarded to me by a friend that subscribes to "the Times", as he knew I was one. Here is what I sent back in my "thank you". ..."It is very true for a great many of us. It is very true for a great many of us. "It was singularly the most important job we've ever had...protecting our many brothers as best we could with all we had".
B troop 1/9
5
My hat’s off to all of you. Many thanks.
Bill
When I was in basic training in 1969, everyone of us with a college education was called into the company CO's office and offered the opportunity to go to helicopter training school in Alabama, and to become warrant officers. None of us took up the offer but chose to take our chances with enlisted life. I went to intelligence school and a tour in Hawaii. Most of the others became MP's. The pilot mortality rate was well known to all of us by that time in the war, and by that time, whether seen as right or wrong, the war was seem by all of us as a rather lost cause.
29
my brother was an air traffic controller. He never got over the flights that never returned.
13
I was an Army air traffic controller in the Central Highlands of VN 68-69. It was a great job & probably the best job I could have had, even when stationed in a forward area. All the the other Army controllers I knew enjoyed the job also. Sometimes we could hear the radio traffic of an air operation. Too bad I didn't get a chance to continue controlling as a civilian.
2
I grew up with a guy who became a Jolly Green Giant pilot pulling downed craft out of the jungle in Vietnam. He survived many missions and came home to fly commercial helicopters. He was killed during a landing when his bird was struck by a light private plane that was in the wrong place at the wrong time. His name was Sandy Jones and he was proud to have served his country. May he Rest In Peace.
60
One my classmates since elementary school became an Army helicopter pilot who flew many missions in Vietnam. He was a friendly and thoughtful kid who had a good sense of humor. He was just one of the class but everyone liked him. He proved to be an able pilot and brave man.
13
Dear Bill: What a powerful piece! You and that pilot and the gunner--you all had the right stuff. It was great knowing you a little bit at Medill (Class of 1973). Can't wait for your memoir. Martha
14
Great to hear from you, Martha. This is an excerpt of a book I have written that is so far unpublished. Hoping a little NY Times cred will help. This experience has given me a new vision for revising it. More work, but I can make it better. Hope all is well with you.
Bill
Do any of us have the right words to represent the bravery and dedication of these American soldiers?
36
I have no idea how many flights we made in the first eight months of 1968. I do know (believe) that each flight was unique. The unifying forces were the ability, judgement and courage of my pilot, co-pilot and flight crew. Ave...
USN 1967 - 68
Viet Nam 1968
36
I flew in a Bell Jet Ranger for 12 years working for the number one radio news station in Northern California. As a reporter I put my life in the hands of the men and women chopper pilots. They were some of the best people I've ever met, and every one of them had a deep love for the helicopter.
9
Thank you for serving our country.
3
As your class of '62 high school classmate, I'd like to know more about your experience in Nam.
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