To The Limit: An Air Cav Huey Pilot in Vietnam

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Manufacturer: NAL Trade

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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 959
EAN: 9780451222183
ISBN: 0451222180
Label: NAL Trade
Manufacturer: NAL Trade
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 416
Publication Date: 2007-10-02
Publisher: NAL Trade
Studio: NAL Trade

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Editorial Reviews:

During the Vietnam War, one out of every eighteen helicopter pilots never made it home alive. At age nineteen, Tom Johnson flew in the thick of it, and lived to tell his harrowing tale.

Johnson piloted the UH-1 "Iroquois"-better known as the "Huey"-as part of the famous First Air Cavalry Division. His battalion was one of the most decorated units of the Vietnam War, and helped redefine modern warfare. This riveting memoir gives the pilot's perspective on key battles and rescue missions, including those for Hue and Khe Sanh. From dangerous missions to narrow escapes, Johnson's account vividly captures the adrenaline rush of flying and the horror of war, and takes readers on an unforgettable ride.

Spotlight customer reviews:

Customer Rating:

Summary: RVN from the Pilot's Seat
Comment: In the fine tradition of Robert Mason's "Chickenhawk", "To the Limit" is the story of Warrant Officer Tom Johnson's tour of duty as a chopper pilot with the First Air Cavalry Division from '67-'68. The author's original base was at Landing Zone English, north of Qui Nhon. WO Johnson virtually puts the reader beside him in his chopper. It boggles one to even try to understand what these guys went through every day of their tour. And it is staggering just to read of the details-details-details these men had to keep straight just to keep their aircraft flying, let alone survive in combat over treacherous terrain. Talk about having it together! The reader will follow Johnson through battles for the city of Hue, the besieged Khe Sanh and the infamous A Shau Valley, which the author refers to as the "Lair of Lucifer". In one harrowing chapter, we read as 5 choppers near WO Johnson are shot down! There is also a fearsome escape and evasion as Johnson and his crew claw their way to friendly Landing Zone Vickie. Johnson also intersperses poignant flashbacks to his training at Fort Wolters, TX and Fort Rucker, AL. This Vietnam vet was humbled to read "To the Limit". His tour in country was a year at the beach in comparison. Some may feel that Johnson gets a bit too technical for nonpilots but the response to that might be that flying a chopper in combat is technical. The author is stonily realistic, Vietnam style. The author does include a helpful glossary and diagrams on "What Makes Choppers Fly". The first line above compared "To the Limit" to "Chickenhawk". Those who have read Mason's story know that is the highest praise a reviewer can to a Vietnam tale. A final compliment: The MAPS in "To the Limit" are excellent! So many military tales fail on this point. WO Johnson even surveys the wild bandit country of northern South Vietnam for us. Good job!

Customer Rating:

Summary: Excellent
Comment: This is the best book about Vietnam helicopter piloting that I have ever read. Mr Johnson makes you feel as if you are sitting next to him in the cockpit of a Huey. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in helicopters or the Vietnam experience.

Customer Rating:

Summary: risks taken, lives saved
Comment: The episode about flying a Huey with food and ammo into the midst of my surrounded battalion, 2/12th Cav, just outside Hue brought back a lot of memories. We wouldn't have survived the day without that support. I describe what it was like on the ground, but it was just as bad in the air.[[ASIN:1591144345 Lost Battalion of Tet: The Breakout of 2/12th Cavalry at Hue Still, thanks to some brave and daring pilots and crews, we survived. I never could determine how many helicopters and crews were lost trying to help us. Whatever the case, they will never be forgotten by those who were there and survived.

Customer Rating:

Summary: The Best of the Helo Memoirs
Comment: I have read several good books by VietNam era helicopter pilots and this is the best so far. Mr. Johnson has a knack of putting the reader in the seat next to him and makes us realize just how dangerous his job was. I particularly enjoyed his use of flashbacks to his flight training days and how he worked them into the moment. It is a wonder that any of the Army helicopter crews survived a full tour. Heroes all. Highly recommended

Customer Rating:

Summary: Thank You Mr.Johnson...
Comment: It was 5 years ago since I was first introduced to the legendary helicopter named "Huey". She is a lovely aircraft which teachs you the helicopter flight and also forgiving one.

I like to thank Mr.Johnson because he had let me know why this helicopter which I am lucky enough to fly with is called legendary. As a military helicopter pilot I am thrilled to read every page, every line. Tom A. Johnson did a great job, he conveyed the past, he conveyed the priceless experience about emergencies. Furthermore, I felt as if I dated back to Vietnam Era and I was one of the pilot on his formation.

I sincerely hope to meet Vietnam Huey Pilots and I am so eager to listen their stories. Land safely Guys,whenever&wherever.

Cem KURKCU
FW&RW Army Pilot

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