What do you think?
Rate this book
The Other Vietnam War: A Helicopter Pilot's Life in Vietnam
Each of us who served in Vietnam was the guy next door, the average Joe, not a hero. The boy who might date your daughter or sister. The young man who might mow your yard. In Vietnam, we weren’t out to be heroes. We just did our jobs.
For a helicopter pilot, each day was like all the others. You flew the mission and never stopped to think that it might be your last. You didn’t think about the bullet holes in the helicopter, the cracks in the tail boom, or about any of it until night, lying in bed when you couldn’t think of anything else.
The Other Vietnam War is the story of the introduction to a new country, a backward culture, the perils of a combat zone, and the effects on a young lieutenant fresh out of flight school. It does not labor the reader with pages of white-knuckle adventures, as so many other fine books about the Vietnam War do. It instead focuses on the internal battle each soldier fought with himself to make sense of where he was, why he was there, and if he was good enough.
The administrative duties of Commissioned officers, while tame compared to the exploits of valiant pilots who wrote about them, caused a deep introspection into life and its value in an enigmatic place like Vietnam. Aside from the fear, excitement, deliverance, and denial that each pilot faced, the inner battle he fought with himself took its toll. Some of us thought we’d find glory. But many of us discovered there is no glory in war.
For a helicopter pilot, each day was like all the others. You flew the mission and never stopped to think that it might be your last. You didn’t think about the bullet holes in the helicopter, the cracks in the tail boom, or about any of it until night, lying in bed when you couldn’t think of anything else.
The Other Vietnam War is the story of the introduction to a new country, a backward culture, the perils of a combat zone, and the effects on a young lieutenant fresh out of flight school. It does not labor the reader with pages of white-knuckle adventures, as so many other fine books about the Vietnam War do. It instead focuses on the internal battle each soldier fought with himself to make sense of where he was, why he was there, and if he was good enough.
The administrative duties of Commissioned officers, while tame compared to the exploits of valiant pilots who wrote about them, caused a deep introspection into life and its value in an enigmatic place like Vietnam. Aside from the fear, excitement, deliverance, and denial that each pilot faced, the inner battle he fought with himself took its toll. Some of us thought we’d find glory. But many of us discovered there is no glory in war.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2015
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 30, 2016
As I read this book, not being an American citizen, I found Marc's personal story very intriguing. It was unnerving and horrifying but that is the spoils of war. Though being there, living through death leaves it's own mark on your soul.
Marc Collison was a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, his tale is gripping and terrifying and vivid as I could imagine war to be.
Thankfully he returned home after his 4 year service to his country, a service that will forever be a part of him.
A true tale that left me with administration and respect for the men who served in the Vietnam War and who still fight their own war years after they left the strange land.
Well done!
Marc Collison was a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, his tale is gripping and terrifying and vivid as I could imagine war to be.
Thankfully he returned home after his 4 year service to his country, a service that will forever be a part of him.
A true tale that left me with administration and respect for the men who served in the Vietnam War and who still fight their own war years after they left the strange land.
Well done!
July 29, 2015
Not The Right Title
This book is not so much about "A Helicopter Pilot's Life in Vietnam" as it is about how Vietnam changed a man's life. It is more of an autobiography that includes some rather benign combat experiences. Although the author did not experience much of the Gore of war, many of us did. Advantage author.
This book is not so much about "A Helicopter Pilot's Life in Vietnam" as it is about how Vietnam changed a man's life. It is more of an autobiography that includes some rather benign combat experiences. Although the author did not experience much of the Gore of war, many of us did. Advantage author.
July 21, 2018
This is a true story about a helicopter pilot’s life in Vietnam. It is about how Vietnam changed him. Would he do it again...NO! Is he glad he did it...YES!
This book is hard to read in places. But, like the author, I am glad I did. I just cannot imagine going through what these guys went through.
The author did a fabulous job with all of his “learning experiences”. From the rats, roaches, and danger, I was shaking or cringing most of the time.
I also enjoyed reading about his thought process. During each of his experiences, you knew what he was thinking and how he came to accept what he could not change.
A very good memoir! If you are a war buff, grab this one!
This book is hard to read in places. But, like the author, I am glad I did. I just cannot imagine going through what these guys went through.
The author did a fabulous job with all of his “learning experiences”. From the rats, roaches, and danger, I was shaking or cringing most of the time.
I also enjoyed reading about his thought process. During each of his experiences, you knew what he was thinking and how he came to accept what he could not change.
A very good memoir! If you are a war buff, grab this one!
February 21, 2023
The Truth, the whole Truth…..
Do you like openness, do you like honest appraisal, can you handle unvarnished honesty? Then read this man’s viewpoint of his war in Vietnam, at least his take on it makes a lot of sense, no hoorah hoorah no gung-ho here we go, just the fear the worry the tedium and how he handled it and how he continues to handle it. In a lot of respects quite a moving narrative.
Do you like openness, do you like honest appraisal, can you handle unvarnished honesty? Then read this man’s viewpoint of his war in Vietnam, at least his take on it makes a lot of sense, no hoorah hoorah no gung-ho here we go, just the fear the worry the tedium and how he handled it and how he continues to handle it. In a lot of respects quite a moving narrative.
May 23, 2021
Offers an insight into the feelings and experiences of a soldier struggling with his sense of duty and conscientious.
Excellent book and in many respects an eye opener to the thoughts of probably many soldiers caught up in the Vietnam War.
Excellent book and in many respects an eye opener to the thoughts of probably many soldiers caught up in the Vietnam War.
July 1, 2021
Update
Great read. I was army infantry. ,tuy HOA and An khe. I was there in 71.
I really enjoyed the book. Thank you. Well done
Great read. I was army infantry. ,tuy HOA and An khe. I was there in 71.
I really enjoyed the book. Thank you. Well done
May 5, 2021
I enjoyed this book. About a chopper pilot, that does his duty, by going to Vietnam. And survived it too. Difficult part is, Vietnam War history now; with American involvement is over 50 years old now. And getting older.
August 3, 2016
Very good book, real life history of a difficult time.
Thank you Marc Cullison for your book. I enjoyed reading about your experience in the Vietnam war. I appreciate the service you and your fellow veterans gave to our country. The memory of your experience in Vietnam is greatly appreciated by me and others who lived through that time but did not serve. I cannot thank you enough for the time that you gave our country.
Thank you Marc Cullison for your book. I enjoyed reading about your experience in the Vietnam war. I appreciate the service you and your fellow veterans gave to our country. The memory of your experience in Vietnam is greatly appreciated by me and others who lived through that time but did not serve. I cannot thank you enough for the time that you gave our country.
September 6, 2016
4 Stars
An insightful tale into the life of a Vietnam Helicopter Pilot. This is the pilots story and experiences that he is sharing. Their is no glamour in war. War is Hell, and this story details some of what he has experienced and felt during that time. I hope everyone takes the time to read this story and remember those who were lost fighting for their country.
An insightful tale into the life of a Vietnam Helicopter Pilot. This is the pilots story and experiences that he is sharing. Their is no glamour in war. War is Hell, and this story details some of what he has experienced and felt during that time. I hope everyone takes the time to read this story and remember those who were lost fighting for their country.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews