Customer Reviews

A Lonely Kind of War: Forward Air Controller, Vietnam

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I served with SOG in many capacities. Responsible for getting OV-10s into the mission while at NKP RTAFB in 1969 - 70. Marshall's description of flight had me sweating profusely, while flying at low level, directing air strikes and tying to help the recon teams on the ground. Out of CCN, we added a "back seater" to take some of the stress off the pilot. His description of the young SF captain throwing a hand grenade in the bunker was hilarious. I can picture it as if I was there. I knew Marshall personally, and he was a big man, not only physically, but in heart and character as well. While he was on the ground overnight in Cambodia, he demonstrated courage, skill and determination. He was one of "America's Best" in the truest sense of the word. Marshal did a fine job of weaving the true story of a Forward Air Controller, his relationships with the ground recon teams and missions. He also provided a bit of humor to a great book.

I cannot count how many times I've read this book. A very well written account of the making of a forward air controller (FAC) and his tour of duty in Vietnam. This book is filled with non-stop aerial combat interspersed with wit and humor. I swear you can hear the engines, the explosions, the radio chatter and the myriad sounds of aerial combat. This is the definitive book on the FAC. Harrison's vividly writes about the inter-service rivalries, fighter pilot and elite unit culture. Vietnam had them all, from the ticket punchers to the true professionals, the "conscientious objectors" to the patriots, balls-out young men and know it alls, politicians and name dropers, clowns and cowboys, the scared and all too brave. Harrison's seen and flown with all of them. You will not put this book down once you start reading it. Harrison will hold you in suspense screaming, laughing and dying over and over. You will read it again and again in between browsing the web about the FAC and that "war" fought on the other side of the fence in Laos. How good is this book? I have seen precious copies churned out of copier machines circulating with pilots of the Philippine Air Force, 15th Strike Wing, one of the few users of the OV-10 Bronco in combat in the 21st century. This book should be made into a movie.

After having read at least 50 "true story" books on various aspects of the Vietnam War, this one rates as one of the best. It is very entertaining and gripping. Harrison weaves a good story and his accounts of what he did are incredible. Dont let the title fool you. I put this book way in the back of my book shelf for over a year, thinking it would be boring as the title suggests. Was i wrong! Its a must read for anybody interested in first person accounts of the war. His accounts of bravery and courage while under extreme pressure while, facing enemy fire are so exciting, it will leave you wishing that the book never ends.

This has to be the best written book on the subject matter. Throughout the book I felt as though I was living his experience and now when I remember the book sometimes I can't remember if it was part of a movie or the book, that's how good the visuals were while reading it. I highly recommend it and hope that the author brings more out into print

This is the second Harrison book I've read. Because the first is so good (Cadillac Flight), I bought this one and wasn't disapointed.

Well written and very believable, the reader feasts the FAC view of the war. I suspect most Vietnam readers know about FACs from other documentaries, as they always seem to be present in battle. This book satisfies the who were they, what did they do questions, in a big way.

The FAC pilots were warriors in every sense of the word.

This has to be one of the best books on combat aviation in Viet Nam. I've read a lot of book about this subject, but Harrison's ability to describe the life of a Forward Air Controller left me wishing that he had put more in print. There is almost a kinship that develops during the book - you share the sweat and I have seen no one else write about aerial manuevers as vividly. His style sems to assume that the reader has a basic understanding of aviation; he gives vivid descriptions of flight without excessive digression to explain the manuevers.

I won't loan this book to anyone.

Buy it.

This book is a thrilling account of a true hero who witnessed all aspects of the air war in the South. I flew 201 combat missions in F-4s and this book has given me a deep appreciation for what the FAC's were doing down below. I never realized how difficult their mission was, although on my very first in-country mission the FAC was shot down. I highly recomment this book.

Very exciting and spellbinding account of an Air Force OV10 pilot and his experiences in Viet Nam. Historically accurate, yet very entertaining style of writing. If you want to know what it was like to fly the OV10 in combat, read this book. it takes you there.

From the jump, you are in the action in this book. However, if you don't know military acronyms or can't pick them up quickly, you'll be lost. If you do or can, you are in for adrenalized enjoyment.
The now-obsolete hazardous task of airborne Forward Air Controller is material for a thrill ride of a read. Harrison's memoir exploits the material, but in a good way.
He opens in the action; he's flying a routine mission, putting in air strikes in a spot where the enemy probably isn't to be found. You are right in the cockpit with him when a stray bomb suddenly ignites a major battle. His failure to conclude this combat is a nice simile for the inconclusiveness of military action in Vietnam.
The next section, where Harrison pulls you back into the run-up to the battle, spares us the childhood stuff with his dog, parents, school, ad nauseam. By taking us instead through FAC training, it settles into the Air Force culture of pilotdom and quickly accomplishes the dual tasks of accustoming us to his viewpoint and pulling us quickly back to Vietnam.
Along the way, Harrison shows us both the camaraderie among pilots and the decisions he has to make as a commander managing the pilots and men who work for him.
He segues into flying covert operations for the CIA. When I came to this part, I expected these espionage missions into Cambodia to be comparable to the Raven FAC missions in Laos. Much to my surprise, they were more like the Jedburgh agent deliveries of World War II.
The book ends inconclusively with the loss of his wedding band while boarding his airplane home. It left me wondering if he had received a Dear John.
While this book has no blinding revelations, it is a good-humored modest account of his service with a knack for vivid phrases. Let me give two examples:
On his way home, a clerk exclaims that Harrison has a Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and a raft of smaller decorations. Harrison's reply is, Hurry up with the paperwork that gets me home.
Vivid phrases: try "Shell holes dotted the base camp like pimples on a teenager."
All in all, a good book. Also, if you enjoy this sort of tale, you might try In the Black by Joe Lerner.

If you are in any way interested in FAC's Forward Air Controllers, LRP's, Air Cav, and Vietnam... BUY THIS BOOK. Superb.