Vietnam: A Tale Of Two Tours

Book Synopsis: A U.S. Army helicopter pilot's candid first-hand account and photos in color (on a capable reader) of his Vietnam experience in the air and on the ground at the height of US troop strength (1969-70) and then again when he returned for a second tour of duty (1972-73) at the very end of the war. It is a non-political description of what life was really like for him and others who served with him in Vietnam and during that era. The author describes a first tour in the Central Highlands while assigned to the 4th Infantry Division as a pilot in an Assault Helicopter Company flying the UH-1H (Huey) and then most of his time as an OH-6A Light Observation Helicopter (LOACH) pilot assigned to an Infantry Brigade. The book includes a description of combat assaults, the Cambodian Invasion, ground an air tactics, people he met and worked with, helicopter operations, rescues, combat in the air and on the ground, leadership, unit life and living at four different locations, every day camp life and conditions, as well as many vignettes as to things both good and bad he witnessed during his first tour. The book continues with a short section on his experiences between tours while assigned to the Washington DC area with a description of dealing with returning to the USA during massive societal upheaval/changes, War Protests, stateside duty life, and the start of mandatory downsizing of the military as the Vietnam War started winding down. The last part of his book is a history of his second tour around Saigon while assigned to an Air Cavalry Troop and how much the war and other things had changed from his first tour. Events recounted include the Air Cavalry Troop mission and life at Bien Hoa, the cease fire and post-cease fire support missions, moving to Saigon and experiences living there, meeting his former enemy, the prisoner of war exchange, being shot down after the cease fire began, and being on the final flight out of combat troops that closed out the war for America. He closes with his overall reflections on his wartime service and how the war affected the military and veterans.Vietnam: A Tale of Two Tours is a must for those who want to know a Vietnam War experience without the hype, politics, or hidden agenda that usually was part of most Vietnam War reporting.