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Vietnam Saga: Exploits of a Combat Helicopter Pilot
Vietnam Saga is a very personal story of Stan Corvin’s often perilous times in the U.S. Army as a two tour combat helicopter pilot in Vietnam. It’s a true-life story of soldiers who fought for freedom and often for their very lives.
Vietnam Saga is also a story about the meaning of life. Standing back from his war experience, Stan reflects on his ever-present faith and how it carried him through this challenging period of his life.
Originally written as a legacy to Stan Corvin’s family—something that will be passed down for many generations—Vietnam Saga is now an opportunity for you to share in this legacy and the personal recollections, memories, thoughts, fears and shed tears of a decorated and dedicated American soldier.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2017
17 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Stan Corvin Jr.
5 books1 follower Born in a small town in West Texas in 1945, Stan grew up in a military family. His father was a career U.S. Air Force fighter pilot from 1939 until 1974 when he retired as a USAF colonel. Stan’s mother was an elementary school teacher,
After attending Texas Tech University for his undergraduate studies, Stan was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967. While in basic training, he applied for and was accepted into the Army’s primary helicopter flight training at Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas, and graduated at Hunter Army Airfield located in Savannah, Georgia.
Serving until 1974, he flew eleven types of helicopters. Attaining the rank of captain, he accumulated over 7,400 hour’s flying time, including 3,200 hours of flying combat missions in Vietnam. In 1974, Stan resigned his commission in the U.S. Army to pursue a career in banking.
After forty years, Stan retired in 2014 from the banking and financial services industry. At the urging of his family, he spent ten months writing "Vietnam Saga: Exploits of a Combat Helicopter Pilot." Southwestern Legacy Press, LLC published it, and in September 2022, it was awarded a silver medal by the Military Writers Society of America.
Other books written and published by Stan are.
"Echoes of the Hunt, A Texan Told True Tall." (2019 1st place winner Texas Authors Association.)
"Vietnam Abyss: A Journal of Unmerited Grace."
"Attacked at Home: A Green Beret's Survival Story of the Fort Hood Shooting."
"It's Your Eternity: Last Breath, Then What?"
"The Eagle Above: Chronicles of an American Fighter Pilot."
"Skibirds: Adventures of the Raven Gang."
"Forged in Fire: The Dave Roever Family Story."
Stan and his wife live in Fort Worth, Texas. His days are filled with writing his first fiction book and co-authoring another memoir for a military veteran friend.
After attending Texas Tech University for his undergraduate studies, Stan was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967. While in basic training, he applied for and was accepted into the Army’s primary helicopter flight training at Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas, and graduated at Hunter Army Airfield located in Savannah, Georgia.
Serving until 1974, he flew eleven types of helicopters. Attaining the rank of captain, he accumulated over 7,400 hour’s flying time, including 3,200 hours of flying combat missions in Vietnam. In 1974, Stan resigned his commission in the U.S. Army to pursue a career in banking.
After forty years, Stan retired in 2014 from the banking and financial services industry. At the urging of his family, he spent ten months writing "Vietnam Saga: Exploits of a Combat Helicopter Pilot." Southwestern Legacy Press, LLC published it, and in September 2022, it was awarded a silver medal by the Military Writers Society of America.
Other books written and published by Stan are.
"Echoes of the Hunt, A Texan Told True Tall." (2019 1st place winner Texas Authors Association.)
"Vietnam Abyss: A Journal of Unmerited Grace."
"Attacked at Home: A Green Beret's Survival Story of the Fort Hood Shooting."
"It's Your Eternity: Last Breath, Then What?"
"The Eagle Above: Chronicles of an American Fighter Pilot."
"Skibirds: Adventures of the Raven Gang."
"Forged in Fire: The Dave Roever Family Story."
Stan and his wife live in Fort Worth, Texas. His days are filled with writing his first fiction book and co-authoring another memoir for a military veteran friend.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 25, 2022
When Corvin was in the military, I was watching: Watergate, the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago where the police were behaving like agents of Nazism; in 1970 many of my medical school class and the faculty marched in Washington against the war. I was attending every performance of Joan Baez that I could, and I as an Episcopal priest wrote in support of a friend's conscientious objection to war. Kent State. I had a lot to fear from the military, because -- although I didn't know it then - I was a gay man. I was quite sure I didn't measure up, and it was many years before my own healing could happen.
Corvin begins this book with a horrendous description of a massacre done by the North Vietnamese army. That was his call and his calling, to be an avenging angel conscripted from the Old Testament to wreak all kinds of damage on the enemy, to be a warrior exulting in any kind of blood loss he could conflict.
This man, as a twenty-something year old, was gifted with the physical and psychological abilities to be in exactly the right place in life as a helicopter pilot. He is extraordinarily integrated in his job and his relationships. It would be easy to say that he was a black-and-white thinker (which he is not), but he has the solidity of purpose that I have seen in black-and-white thinkers. He is also an unmitigated supporter of any fellow member of the military who is in trouble. He is able to devise and enjoy workarounds in the military, to achieve practical ends.
He served a first tour in Vietnam, some time in Germany, and then another tour in Vietnam. He is well and generously decorated for his brave military exploits. I am in awe of what he achieved.
His book is composed of short chapters, each of which has a story which is significant in one way or another. He is transparent in his telling, and I felt again and again that I connected with this man, so ostensibly different from the man I am. I am honored to be allowed into his life and to be given a chance to understand his service and in some measure to appreciate it. I am in awe of his passionate and precise telling.
Corvin begins this book with a horrendous description of a massacre done by the North Vietnamese army. That was his call and his calling, to be an avenging angel conscripted from the Old Testament to wreak all kinds of damage on the enemy, to be a warrior exulting in any kind of blood loss he could conflict.
This man, as a twenty-something year old, was gifted with the physical and psychological abilities to be in exactly the right place in life as a helicopter pilot. He is extraordinarily integrated in his job and his relationships. It would be easy to say that he was a black-and-white thinker (which he is not), but he has the solidity of purpose that I have seen in black-and-white thinkers. He is also an unmitigated supporter of any fellow member of the military who is in trouble. He is able to devise and enjoy workarounds in the military, to achieve practical ends.
He served a first tour in Vietnam, some time in Germany, and then another tour in Vietnam. He is well and generously decorated for his brave military exploits. I am in awe of what he achieved.
His book is composed of short chapters, each of which has a story which is significant in one way or another. He is transparent in his telling, and I felt again and again that I connected with this man, so ostensibly different from the man I am. I am honored to be allowed into his life and to be given a chance to understand his service and in some measure to appreciate it. I am in awe of his passionate and precise telling.
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June 10, 2022MWSA Review
Vietnam Saga is an excellent and easy read. It is more than one man's memoir. It has elements of war that are common to all who have served. There is the excitement/terror/emotion of preparing for and ultimately engaging an enemy. There is the frustration of failed plans and the loss of comrades in arms. There is the rapid shift of emotions between the stress in a war zone and the feeling of "escape" during R&R (rest and relaxation/recovery).
The most striking thing I found about the book was the style of writing. I felt as if I were sitting with the author in a small, warm room listening to him recount his stories just for me as a special friend. Throughout the book, the author expresses a deep conflict between his Christian belief and the killing required by the circumstances of war. He has a short-term rationale that sees him through the war years. His ultimate resolution, however, is found in his strong faith in a loving God and forgiveness through grace and faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Review by Jerry L. Burton (June 2022)
Vietnam Saga is an excellent and easy read. It is more than one man's memoir. It has elements of war that are common to all who have served. There is the excitement/terror/emotion of preparing for and ultimately engaging an enemy. There is the frustration of failed plans and the loss of comrades in arms. There is the rapid shift of emotions between the stress in a war zone and the feeling of "escape" during R&R (rest and relaxation/recovery).
The most striking thing I found about the book was the style of writing. I felt as if I were sitting with the author in a small, warm room listening to him recount his stories just for me as a special friend. Throughout the book, the author expresses a deep conflict between his Christian belief and the killing required by the circumstances of war. He has a short-term rationale that sees him through the war years. His ultimate resolution, however, is found in his strong faith in a loving God and forgiveness through grace and faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Review by Jerry L. Burton (June 2022)
December 13, 2017
Outstanding story written well!
I have read many books by brave men who served in Vietnam. This book was the most inspirational. Thanks to Captain (?) Corbin for his service, his willingness to serve, under such challenging circumstances! I am 76 years old, living in Dallas,Texas. I wish I could shake the author's hand and thank him personally.
Bruce Long
I have read many books by brave men who served in Vietnam. This book was the most inspirational. Thanks to Captain (?) Corbin for his service, his willingness to serve, under such challenging circumstances! I am 76 years old, living in Dallas,Texas. I wish I could shake the author's hand and thank him personally.
Bruce Long
February 26, 2023
a true story of a patriot…
Just an honest first person story of a true American Patriot. Stan Corvin puts you in the cockpit with him while flying dangerous missions all over areas of South Vietnam and….occasionally into North Vietnam.
Just an honest first person story of a true American Patriot. Stan Corvin puts you in the cockpit with him while flying dangerous missions all over areas of South Vietnam and….occasionally into North Vietnam.
October 20, 2017
A moving and captivating memoir
This book definitely deserves a five star rating. I served with the first Air Cavalry in 1970 - 71 in III Corp. The hunter killer teams were very active in our brigade and left a lasting impression on me. I Can't thank Cpt. Corvin enough for sharing his experiences.
This book definitely deserves a five star rating. I served with the first Air Cavalry in 1970 - 71 in III Corp. The hunter killer teams were very active in our brigade and left a lasting impression on me. I Can't thank Cpt. Corvin enough for sharing his experiences.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews