Pathfinder: First In, Last Out [Mass Market Paperback]

Richard R. Burns (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 26, 2002

December 1967: Richard Burns had just arrived in Vietnam as part of the fourteen-man 101st Pathfinder Detachment. Within just one month, during a holiday called Tet, the Communists would launch the largest single attack of the war--and he would be right in the thick of it. . . .

In Vietnam, Richard Burns operated in live-or-die situations, risking his life so that other men could keep theirs. As a Pathfinder--all too often alone in the middle of a hot LZ--he guided in helicopters disembarking troops, directed medevacs to retrieve the wounded, and organized extractions. As well as parachuting into areas and supervising the clearing of landing zones, Pathfinders acted as air-traffic controllers, keeping call signs, frequencies, and aircraft locations in their heads as they orchestrated takeoffs and landings, often under heavy enemy fire.

From Bien Hoa to Song Be to the deadly A Shau Valley, Burns recounts the battles that won him the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and numerous other decorations. This is the first and only book by a Pathfinder in Vietnam . . . or anywhere else.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

December 1967: Richard Burns had just arrived in Vietnam as part of the fourteen-man 101st Pathfinder Detachment. Within just one month, during a holiday called Tet, the Communists would launch the largest single attack of the war--and he would be right in the thick of it. . . .

In Vietnam, Richard Burns operated in live-or-die situations, risking his life so that other men could keep theirs. As a Pathfinder--all too often alone in the middle of a hot LZ--he guided in helicopters disembarking troops, directed medevacs to retrieve the wounded, and organized extractions. As well as parachuting into areas and supervising the clearing of landing zones, Pathfinders acted as air-traffic controllers, keeping call signs, frequencies, and aircraft locations in their heads as they orchestrated takeoffs and landings, often under heavy enemy fire.

From Bien Hoa to Song Be to the deadly A Shau Valley, Burns recounts the battles that won him the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and numerous other decorations. This is the first and only book by a Pathfinder in Vietnam . . . or anywhere else.

About the Author

Richard C. Burns retired from the army as a master sergeant, E-8. He completed two combat tours in Vietnam, serving as a Pathfinder with the 101st Airborne Division and the 1st Air Cavalry Division. He conducted Pathfinder operations for infantry and recon units, supported an element of Special Forces, and was attached to the 1st Vietnamese Airborne Division. After a stint as a recruiter in his native New England, he spent the bulk of his twenty-year military career in Special Forces. His training includes Pathfinder Course, Jumpmaster Course, Vietnam (MACV) Recondo School, and Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC): Light and Heavy Weapons. He has received numerous decorations, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, two Air Medals, and the Purple Heart.

Richard Burns has two children and lives with his wife in Gainesville, Florida. He has written many articles on elite military units and is a columnist and staff writer for Behind the Lines magazine.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (February 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804116024
• ISBN-13: 978-0804116022
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #576,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #79 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Military > Vietnam War

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Factual Account of Viet Nam History, December 30, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pathfinder: First In, Last Out (Mass Market Paperback)

I was a Pathfinder in the 101st Airborne after Burns and served two consecutive tours. Although I did not know him, I recognized many names from the book including Torch, the dog. I was rivetted by this factual recounting which was eerily real. With few exceptions, this could have been my diary. I am ordering two more copies for my family so they can better understand a very significant part of my experience. Airborne... all the way!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Story, April 11, 2002

By 

kregg P.J. Jorgenson (Burien, Washington United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pathfinder: First In, Last Out (Mass Market Paperback)

I was a friend of Richie Burns so I guess I'm a little biased when it comes to reviewing his book. However, that being said let me add that PATHFINDER is a remarkable first-person war story in that Richie not only told it like it was but made it a very moving, personal account as well. There's no ego here, no 'I was better than yoiu were' war story, just a good look at the Vietnam War.
As you read you're there with him, getting an inside look to the Pathfinder operations he took part in the war and better yet, a closer look at someone you would have been proud to call a friend as well.
When he died of cancer he left behind grieving family and friends and, this book that reminds us that a good man served his country with pride and integrity in the war and long afterwards as a career Special Forces soldier.
What the book doesn't tell you is that he also served as a veteran's counselor and that he had helped so many others try to make some sense of their own war stories.
Buy this book and hold on to it. People like Richie don't come around in life that often and the book is a reminder of what we all lost with his passing.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very well written, July 10, 2002

By 

B. Barrett (Kansas City, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pathfinder: First In, Last Out (Mass Market Paperback)

This book never drags, and kept my interest throughout. Different from a Special Forces story, Burns seemed to be on the receiving end of enemy fire most of the time while he guided helicopters for landings. He knew some of the other well known authors on LRRP's and special forces in Vietnam. He was lucky to not be hurt while being blown over by mortars or lightning, and also have a dud mortar round land a foot away. Very upbeat and refreshing.