Customer Reviews

The Rescue of Bat 21

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The lone survivor (Bat 21 Bravo) of a six-man crewed American warplane shot down by a surface-to-air missile parachutes near the DMZ and seeks cover to await recovery. Heavy clouds obscure visibility, but other than that the search and rescue aircraft crews have no reason to believe that this won't be anything but a moderately easy pickup.

Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Jay Crowe commanding an Air Force rescue helicopter drops through the clouds heading for the survivor when enemy fire comes up from all directions. The dashboard begins to disintegrate. Crowe and his copilot struggle to control the helicopter and clear the area. The crew is amazed at the scene below. North Vietnamese Army trucks, tanks, guns, and soldiers are everywhere. Bat 21 is trapped between two enemy divisions barreling across the borders in a full offensive to conquer South Vietnam. Still, the rescue attempt goes on.

As the author of "Coast Guard Action in Vietnam," I am pleased to read, not only a darn good true book about the Vietnam War, but, one that brings out the fact that Coast Guardsmen were active in that long engagement. Flying combat search and rescue was only one of their numerous missions. For example, LORAN, the electronic navigation system used to keep Bat 21 pinpointed and to place ordnance on enemy positions, was installed in the theater and manned by the Coast Guard.

Do yourself a favor, get both "Bat 21" by William C. Anderson and "The Rescue of Bat 21" by Darrel D. Whitcomb. Read them in tandem. Read "Bat 21" first. It puts you with the survivor on the ground evading capture for twelve days. Then read Whitcomb's book. It pulls back the camera to take into view the entire panorama of situation, equipment, and people, that went into this remarkable rescue exploit.

When you start the reading make sure you have a block of uninterrupted time because you may not want to stop until--the end.

Most veterans are aware of the rescue of BAT-21 (Bravo), Lt. Col. Iceal "Gene" Hambleton, that was shot-down by an enemy missile during the April '72, NVA Easter Offensive. In the initial stages of this powerful enemy thrust into I Corp, U.S. intelligence failed to brief U.S. personnel who were flying in the area that the enemy had crossed the DMZ and had brought with them SAM missiles and an incredible amount of AAA fire support to provide protection to the massive NVA armored invasion. Brave men were caught off guard by these formidable air defenses south of the DMZ, and they paid dearly. The earlier movie, "BAT-21," touched on some of the truth about this rescue mission. But much of what was shown was purposely fictitious due to national security issues. Since that time much of the information surrounding this rescue mission has been declassified allowing the facts to be known to all for the very first time. Author, Darrel Whitcomb, has done an incredible job of collecting files, first-hand interviews, grid maps and photos to describe the events leading to the downing and rescue of BAT-21, and has written about the ultimate sacrifice of those who perished or were captured in attempts to rescue Hambleton. For example, just minutes after BAT-21 landed just south of the DMZ, Blueghost 39 and his crewmembers of F Troop, 8th Cavalry were killed or captured when encountering extremely heavy enemy fire when they entered the recovery area which unknowingly was in NVA hands. Days later the entire crew of Jolly Green 67 would perish when hit by massive enemy AAA fire as the NVA sprang a trap. Whitcomb fluidly reports of repeated and aborted attempts to extract BAT-21 and of the cost to the Nails, the Sandys, the Jolly Greens, the USAF, the VNAF, and ultimately the few MACSOG-80 personnel still in-country. All were involved during the course of not only rescuing BAT-21, but other downed airmen in the immediate area during what has to be one of the most intense--if not THE most intense--battles involving combined U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. "The Rescue of BAT-21" is much more than its title indicates. Whitcomb's book is also a well-researched historical look at the Easter Offensive and how the war very suddenly and dramatically changed in the closing days of U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia. In "The Rescue of BAT-21" Mr. Whitcomb has done a service to the veterans who participated and perished on this rescue mission. He has told their story, one which needed to be told. It is a fitting tribute to the countless brave and dedicated men who flew the air support and rescue missions throughout the war--often times at great personal risk and sacrifice. From Vietnam to the rescue mission in Somalia, Darryl Whitcomb has captured the moment in his incredible work, and warns of the "dangers of drawn-out coalition warfare without defined objectives." Darrel Whitcomb, who is a highly decorated veteran who served three tours himself in Southeast Asia as a cargo and Nail FAC pilot, has captured the spirit of America's fighting men...the 'how' and 'why' many willingly risked their lives to save even one fellow America in danger of being captured or killed by enemy forces. This is a true story of "duty, honor & country." In his poignant postscript the author details the return of Blueghost 39 in 1994 and more recently in 1997, the return of Jolly Green 67 and crewmembers who perished during this 15-day SAR mission. All of them were buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. They are now, finally, "home" We offer our sincere and personal thanks to Nail 25 for writing this important work and setting the record straight. His take of the prevailing attitudes of the aircrews in the chapter entitled 'A Long, Bitter, and Frustrating War' were precisely on the mark. And his 'Disconnect' chapter was especially insightful, describing the evolution of the American experience in the war brilliantly. We sincerely thank the author for newfound understanding and pride. We hope many will take the opportunity to read it. For many fellow veterans this work will be a very special addition to their collection. Mike Austin -- Blueghost 23 Roger Young -- Silver Spur Scout C.E.

This book is an extremely accurate history of this rescue and its heros. I was the on scene commander who arrived to find the Jolly in flames. There are other books written about this rescue but none are as accurate and well presented. The author did an excellent job in allowing a "non" military reader to understand this rescue situation without missing the power of the enviornment.

This was a well written and researched account which told the true story behind the numerous missions to rescue Bat-21 Bravo and other fliers downed during subsequent missions during April 1972. Firstly I must say I was amazed to read of the neglect shown in the passage of information and/or Intelligence between the American Air Force and Army. How this could come about or allow to continue amazes me considering it had some bearing on the lives of American soldiers and airmen and also on the prosecution of the war.

I was unaware of the full details of the rescue of Lt. Col. Hambleton and the role and involvement of Navy SEALS and Sth Vietmanese troops. I had only seen the movie 'Bat 21' before and figured that it portrayed the 'true' story - how wrong can you be.

I think the authors attempt to answer a number of questions in relation to the 'worth' of one man during the 1972 Easter Offensive is well done but I would recommend that readers should take the opportunity to read 'Trial by Fire' by Dale Andrade which offers a detailed and excellent account of America's last Vietnam battle and which could also place this episode in perspective.

'The Rescue of Bat 21' is a good, quick book (164 pages) to read, the narrative flows along and the story never gets bogged down. If you want to read about man's un-selfish devotion to duty and his fellow man during a terrible war this is the book to read. Well done to the author and well done to those men who played a part in this story, especially those who did not return.

For years my family has wondered what happened during this period of the conflict. I was eight years old when my brother, Bruce Walker - Covey 282 Alpha, was declared MIA. This book gave my family and I a real view of what happened to him. This is something the government was never willing to do. I'm thankful to Darrel Whitcomb for this well researched and well written book detailing the rescues and attempted rescues during the Easter Offensive.

Whitcomb does a great job of sorting out the complexities of a multi-faceted mission. Clausewitz called it the fog of war - this mission typified it. Excellent read. Joe Panza, Colonel USAF (Ret) Jolly Greens 1967-68.

Unlike the Hollywood film Bat 21, Whitcomb's book provides in-depth coverage of entire rescue effort of Bat 21, from the pilots who flew the rescue sorties to the staff and intelligence officers who planned the operation behind the scenes to the Navy Seal team who worked the effort from the ground. Anyone interested in why the SAR mission expanded so greatly during the Vietnam War and why rescues are so critical to the morale and welfare of the air services must read this book. A tour de force!

John Sherwood, author of Officers in Flight Suits: The Story of American Air Force Fighter Pilots in the Korean War

A terrific book. It details the complexity of the rescue and reads like a suspense thriller. I can only imagine the bravery and fear displayed by the participants in the rescue. The last chapter is thought provoking and insightful. It brings a clearer perspective to our involvement in Vietnam..

Great story of true to life use of mines and forward observers on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Gives unavailable information on the antipersonnel mines used during the Viet Nam conflict.

I am glad this book was written. When I saw the movie, "Bat 21," I was unhappy that the efforts of LT Tom Norris, USN, were not noted. Now the true story is out. There were many heroes in the book. It is good that they now get credit for what they did.