Mended Wings: The Vietnam War Experience Through the Eyes of Ten American Purple Heart Helicopter Pilots

by Colin P. Cahoon

When courage, guts and loyalty merge, you’ll find Army helicopter pilots fighting in Vietnam, committed to each other beyond measure. This is their story. Buckle up. -- Admiral Thomas B. Hayward, Chief of Naval Ops 1978-1982, USN RetMended Wings has the full flavor of that long ago war from the dangers to the messiness that is part of war. -- Ambassador (Ret) Ronald E. Neumann, USA Lieutenant VietnamMended Wings is a great snapshot in the timeline of the Helicopter War in Vietnam.It is a humanization of the sky soldiers who piloted and crewed these amazing aircraft.I was transported back to Vietnam. -- Lt Col Eldridge Johnson, Vietnam War Helicopter Pilot, USAF RetYou hear them first, the whop whop sound of rotor blades chopping through the humid Vietnam air. Suddenly they appear, screaming toward the landing zone at treetop level. Gunships launch rockets into the nearby tree line. The resulting explosions announce the arrival of the lift helicopters, pointing their noses skyward like falcons coming out of a dive for landing. Unseen enemy respond with machinegun fire, spewing orange tracers toward the slowing birds. Bullets rip into the thin aluminum skin and plastic that surrounds the men who fly these machines. But on they come, determined to complete the mission no matter what the cost. When one pilot is hit, the other takes the controls and carries on. When one helicopter crashes in flames, the pilots in the others maintain formation and push ahead. Nothing deters these warriors, volunteers all, from flying on with the tenaciousness of zealots.Who are these men? Where did they come from? Where have they gone?Mended Wings is their story. Follow the lives of ten Purple Heart heroes as they relate the Vietnam War experience from the perspective of the helicopter cockpit. Get to know the generation of men who fought with pride, determination, skill, and courage only to be shunned when they brought their battered bodies and haunting memories home. Their fathers and uncles were heralded as the “greatest generation.” Meet the forgotten generation. Meet the men whose stories did not end as a name on a black wall in Washington D.C. Meet the survivors.

Genres: War, History

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2021

Reviews

[CATHY BARBER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each a Hero

This is truly one of the best written factual accounts of the many American heroes of Vietnam. This book describes the helicopter pilots and crews who flew, fought, saved and sometimes perished in a war that politicians sacrificed young American lives in. Colin P. Canon has presented a wonderful book that ie extremely well written and deserves the highest rating possible. Thank You Mr. Canon for this story of just some of the brave men of the Vietnam War.

[Clayton F. Abernathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent work !!

As you read this book I felt that I was seeing it for real. These men deserve our respect and consideration for their undying love of country. They were in a war that they had their actions limited by people who were not trying to win but to.save face. They were trying to protect democracy and freedom we enjoy. It is well worth the time to understand what they dealt with during their service.

[Bill Elston · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting reading

This was a very interesting book. It provided a bit more personal history of the pilots, the central characters in the book. Well worth the time as it provides another perspective of those who served and sacrificed during the Viet Nam war.

[William Prather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and stories that bring a tear &makes one proud

The back ground of each of the men added something special,
Thank you for this special read
God bless those who gave all

[Oscar Szigeti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Tribute To Courageous Soldiers

I've read many books about what the Vietnam Helicopter pilots/other crew members faced during combat and their personal history. This is one of the best, if not the best that puts the reader there and the struggles that the survivors dealt with. It's very real, but upbeat at the same time. Not all gloom and doom.

I'm of that generation and enlisted in the Air Force in 1966 for 4 years and was fortunate to be based in Cal

[Mack Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Vietnam helicopter book ever

As a Vietnam helicopter pilot veteran, I've read all the nonfiction books about flying in Vietnam that I could find on my Kindle, but "Mended Wings" last chapter about Dan Cheney's death and his unknown daughter's appearance caused the most emotional reaction I've ever had from reading. Thanks, Colin P. Cartoon for writing it

[Joshua Manley · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't need to have served in the military to appreciate this action-packed, in-depth look at the lives of some incredible heroes that put their lives on the line to serve this country. Sometimes poignant, sometimes thrilling, up close and personal stories. I only got the book a couple of days ago and I can barely put it down. Highly recommend!

[Mark S. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally Awesome

Ten well written stories of ten American heroes whose unquestionable bravery saved many lives while risking theirs. Also underscores the futility of a war being fought for an undefined purpose with ultimate command and control thousands of miles from those doing the fighting and the dying.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthy tribute to men who server as pilots in Vietnam.

Mended Wings is a testament to the human spirit. It honors those who served, and has a touching ending to the book. Definitely worth reading.

[Ron Risdon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read and Very Moving

The only issue I had with the book was the author's many statements about the aircraft commanders flight position in Hueys. The AC flew the right seat, not the left as he repeatedly stated .

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done

Excellent Man story almost brought tears to my eyes. Very well written well done. Excellent story about vou very much

[Luis Patron]

Who said I finish it? Getting ahead of yourself, pal.

[jerry poulin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about HEROS

This book is about a few of the patriots and heroes that answered the call. Well written and well researched. I laughed and I cried reading the stories.

[Francis W Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

This book tells the story of helicopters pilot and the action that they went through in Vietnam. I think you will agree that it is a very good book.

[RLD · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as a Christmas present. Not the kind of book I would pick on my own. But I am a "Vietnam Era Veteran" because I spent my time in an army reserve unit from 1964 to 1970. I also have close friends who served in Nam (one as a LRRP).
This was very well written and fully captures the lives of the pilots before, during, and after the war. Not really mentioned are the other heroes who put these wounded members back together, the medics and doctors.
Some people may be upset with the details of combat. But I highly recommend it to everyone else.
PS: I plan on forwarding to my copy to my LRRP friend.

[Kristie Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book

Wasn't sure I would like this book.at the beginning but the more I read the more I enjoyed it so much. This book brought so many feelings out being a Military brat myself and Dad having served two tour in Vietnam. I laughed, and cried reading this book. So glad I did decide to read it.