Da Nang Diary: A Forward Air Controller's Gunsight View of Combat in Vietnam [Mass Market Paperback]

Col. Tom Yarborough (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 16, 2002

THEY FLEW LOW, SLOW, AND INTO THE FACE OF ENEMY FIRE...

In Vietnam, an elite group of air force pilots fought a secret air war in Cessna 0-2 and OV-10 Bronco prop planes-flying as low as they could get. The eyes and ears of the fast-moving jets who rained death and destruction down on enemy positions, the forward air controller made an art form out of an air strike-knowing the targets, knowing where friendly troops were, and reacting with split-second, life and death decisions as a battle unfolded. For Tom Yarborough, the risk was constant, intense, electrifying. A member of the super secret Prairie Fire unit, Yarborough became one of the most frequently shot-up pilots flying out of Da Nang-engaging in a series of dangerous secret missions in Laos. This is Yarborough's adrenaline-pumping chronicle of heroism, danger, and brotherhood in Vietnam. From the rescuing of downed pilots to taking out enemy positions, to the most harrowing day-long missions, here is the dedication, courage, and skill of the fliers who took the war into the enemy's backyard...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tom Yarborough served in the Air Force for thirty years in a variety of flying and staff assignments. A command pilot, he logged 5,000 hours of flying time, with over 1,500 of them in combat. During his two Vietnam tours as a forward air controller, he earned thirty combat decorations, including the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Now a business executive, he lives in West Springfield, Virginia, where he maintains ties to the academic community as an adjunct history professor at Northern Virginia Community College.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; Revised edition (September 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312984936
• ISBN-13: 978-0312984939
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #875,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There during it all, February 22, 2006

By 

sherdeane kinney "Registered Nurse" (Picayune,Ms) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Da Nang Diary: A Forward Air Controller's Gunsight View of Combat in Vietnam (Mass Market Paperback)

I am the Air Force Nurse that flew with Tom-I can personally say-he is one heck of a pilot-and was totally focused on the job at hand-the book allowed me to read -in detail- about the missions I only vaguely knew about then-the flying- the hanging it all out-these were people I would see daily but their 'jobs' went unspoken of-Thank you Tom for the ride-If you want truth- read his book-Sherdeane Kinney

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best, November 24, 2002

By 

J. Braun (B.C., Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Da Nang Diary: A Forward Air Controller's Gunsight View of Combat in Vietnam (Mass Market Paperback)

in my opinion these true stories of the vietnam airwar are the most gripping and entertaining i have ever read. i was so impressed by this book that i honestly wanted to travel wherever to met this man and shake his hand. i have worn out my paperback copy of this book. i can't imagine any aviation buff not thoroughly enjoying this read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, May 3, 2007

By 

Steve Dietrich (Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Monica CA, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Da Nang Diary: A Forward Air Controller's Gunsight View of Combat in Vietnam (Mass Market Paperback)

A rare combination a true warrior, who survived some of the most dangerous flying of the Vietnam War and a highly literate author. One wonders where our nation finds the quiet Paladins of the 20'Th century.

At one level a warrior's story of near hand to hand combat from the air with a fully committed enemy. The evolution of the author's transition from a member of the Air Force to his very close identification with the Special Forces who operated under his wing adds to the story. Live at the Muff Divers Club also brings color to the tale. As a war story it has the same ring of aggressive sacrifice of other great warriors.

As a psychological study it is a great story of the magnetism / repulsion of war and the warrior culture.

Finally, it is a story of flying on the very edge. As a pilot what is so stunning is the difficulty of the conditions under which they operated. Operating under ceilings a fraction of that required for civilian pilots while performing a difficult mission and finally trying to stay alive stretches the reader's ability to understand. Most non pilots will take for granted the brief description of descending into cloud covered valleys, far from navigation facilities as another day at the office. Far from it, some of the most dangerous and challenging things a pilot can be called upon to do. But that's just for starters; those of us in civilian life almost always have the ability to climb back though the clouds to sunshine when we are overloaded. However, it must be a totally different experience to be flying against a dedicated enemy while trapped under the overcast. The equivalent of fighting on the edge of a cliff.

.The reader is fortunate that the author brings a great story and the skill to tell the story. Even more of a gift is that the author lived to tell the story of those who did not return.