Customer Reviews

Hunter Killer Squadron: Aero-weapons, Aero-scouts, Aero-rifles, Vietnam, 1965-72

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With the exception of a few errors this book is a must read for those who want to try to understand something about a very elite unit, the 9th Cavalry. I was in the Blues in 1966. I was a squad leader and the assistant platoon sgt. On occasion I was the platoon sgt. Never have I met a finer bunch of men who endured the trials of their home on the wire at night followed by running through the jungle the following day. I still wonder how we maintained ourselves, that is, staying awake on the wire and running the jungle. It was impossible to do what we did without sleep but we did it anyway. What the book describes between the Blues and the pilots is very true. We were united in a common goal. I think that goal was to destroy the enemy and go home alive. I personally know that when the lift pilots dropped us Blues on the ground they bided their time in agnony waiting for the call to saddle up and retrieve the Blues, and bring us home. This book describes how the pilots protected the Blues as much as humanly possible. Well done, Matt.

Hunter-Killer Squadron stands alone as the finest book written on the helicopter war in Vietnam. Follow the 1st Cav's "Pink" teams as they decimate the NVA while incurring excruciating losses themselves. A "pink" team consisted of a (white) scout helicopter nosing around at treetop level, attempting to draw fire, invariably succeeding, covered by an orbiting (red) Cobra gunship. Once you read this, you'll understand what helicopter warfare was all about and the revolution it brought about in tactics. The book consists of 25 ancedotes from pilots, gunners and crew chiefs, every one a cliff-hanger. Other great Vietnam helo books: Crew Chief, Chickenhawk, Lest We Forget, and "Low Level Hell". And don't miss "Eyes of the Eagle" by Linderer.

While not as good as "Brennans War", it's a great book.

This is a great book that chronicals the experiences of an array of Vietnam Vets. My dad's story is in this book!

This was a very exciting and eventful book. I learned a lot from it and what life was like during the Vietnam war. Heroism was especially important to everyone but most of it was never recognized by the american public.

Andy Stone

Very good reading as a former member 0f the 1/9 Cav. My only critisicsm would be that the 1st year, 1965-1966 was not covered.

I flew with the men of the 1/9 for more than 2 years. Soldiers like Lurch, Lofton, the Saint, Poxon, Jones, Thomas, Burrows, Brennan, ...the list goes on and on. Their integrity was never questioned, their courage was matched only by their determination. I consider even having my name mentioned in a book about these great soldiers my highest decoration. Perhaps Viet Nam was the end of an era where men fought by guts, determination and intelligence, and began the fight by computer (or remote control) era. Each soldier of the 1/9 has my deepest respect, they risked their lives daily and are the essence of the American ideal of soldiering. Wherever they are today, may God bless them. If we are ever involved in a major conflict again, and these kind of men aren't around, God help us all.