Customer Reviews

Rescue of Streetcar 304: A Navy Pilot's Forty Hours on the Run in Laos (Ausa)

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have never read a better book about heroism than this book, it is a must read. This true adventure takes place during the Vietnam War. Kenny Fields, a Navy Pilot, has written an adventure story about his escape from Laos after his aircraft was shot down. We are told in graphic detail of his experiences and of those attempting his rescue. The reader will feel as if he or she is in the jungle with him and in the Air Force aircraft attempting his rescue. It also tells of the heart ache and fear family members go through when their loved ones are placed in harms way. This book will become a classic of men at war. It illustrates the courage, love of God, country and family of our men in the military.

As a "bit Player" in the rescue of 304 I knew (know) most of those mentioned in the story. I was the flight scheduler for Nail Fac's at the time. It's a great read, very accurate as far as those things I personally know of. I met Kenny by chance a short time after his ordeal. Very professional, unassuming, and a very nice person. If you're interested in history, read this book. Buck Sheward, Nail 67, NKP '68-'69.

This book is the finest I have read with regards to the air war during the Vietnam war. I truely felt as if I were on the ground with Kenny experiencing all the emotions he felt during those 40 hours. The courage of Kenny and the airmen involved in his rescue is a true testament to the fine people that served in the Vietnam war. Thank you Kenny for telling your story.

I was also shot down in Laos, very close to the spot the author had his experience. My back-seater and I (flying an Air Force F-4E, in 1970) were luckier and were rescued after just one night in the jungle. This book is an "easy read" and I personally related to much of what he experienced. This is one of the few books I've read that I had to keep reading till I was finished. I'd like to think that I could have survived for as long as he did, but honestly, I doubt I'd have done as well. The rescue forces were outstanding throughout the war. Knowing they would perform as those in this book did was a significant factor in keeping our spirits high in spite of the questionable political conduct of the war.

This excellent book tells the horror story of a Navy A-7 attack plane pilot, who was shot down on his first combat mission in SEA: Laos. He ejected and landed amongst 10,000 or so Pathet Lao, Viet Cong, and NVA troops who were hiding in the Techpone area, unbeknownst to our intelligence officials or Forward Air Controllers (FACs) responsible for that particular locale of Laos.

After 40 hours of hiding, running, and acting as a ground FAC guiding fighter-bombers that arrived in force to defend him, he was miraculously rescued by a very brave USAF Jolly Green helicopter crew. This books tells his story, and it's one hell of a story!

For what it's worth, I was an RF-4C USAF fighter /reconnaissance pilot, who flew many missions in that same area, plus, many others in SVN and NVN. I and other pilots/WSOs always dreaded the possibility that we might suffer the same rotten fate as this author, Kenny Fields, did. We all knew that if shot down, there was a strong probability that we'd die with the plane, but also if we made it safely to the ground, the enemy was inclined to summarily execute us, or take us prisoner and treat us very brutally. Kenny knew the same possibilities, and when his moment of fate arrived, he was naturally scared, but he was also a determined and smart survivor, which played a major role in his escape and evasion followed by his eventual rescue.

The language and tone of this book vividly represent how it actually "felt," and how it actually was, for Kenny Fields and for many others. It's hard to put this book down, once the reading has begun. It goes to show that planning for the worst is what smart people do, and that good planning and thoughtfull actions play major roles in survival during the worst of times during a war.

Don't miss reading this terrific book. If you liked BAT-21, you'll love THE RESCUE OF STREETCAR-304! You'll feel like you're on the ground with Navy pilot Kenny Fields, but you won't be shot at, as he was!

After anxiously awaiting my pre-ordered copy of The Rescue of Streetcar 304, it finally arrived. Once I began reading it, I didn't want to put it down. It is an intriguing book from beginning to end. Kenny did a great job in telling his amazing story of survival. I think it would make a good movie. Definitely the best book I've read lately. I was so impressed that I purchased two more copies to give away.

An incredible story of REAL heroes who put their lives on the line for all they hold dear and believe in --- their faith, their country and their families. Kenny Wayne Fields tells of a fight to survive against insurmountable odds in such graphic detail and vivid description that the reader feels he is right there with him as he evades bullets, bombs, wild beasts, and most of all "the bad guys". You won't regret buying this book!!!

This is an outstanding book. Commander Fields gives an incredibly detailed account of what it was like to evade capture and probably death in the jungles of Laos. He battled the dangerous jungle elements and avoided the communist Pathet Lao and NVA for 40-hours. This book explains his thoughts, his fears, and emotions over these 40-hours. Commander Fields also recounts how closely he came to being captured multiple times as well as nearly being killed by friendly bombs. It is truly amazing that he lived through this ordeal. Fields also gives great detail of the men involved in his rescue, the struggles they experienced, and the sacrifice they made to 'pull him out of probable death'. Commander Fields reflects that this book 'was his feeble attempt to glorify the Lord and remind us whe the real heroes are'. I'd say he greatly accomplished this goal. Buy this book. You will enjoy it.

CDR Fields did a great job of reconstructing the events around his shootdown and rescue to illuminate the heroism of his rescuers. This book will absorb the reader in some of the loftiest and selfless behavior humans are capable of exhibiting. Men like this have been my heroes since childhood and deserve complete acknowledgement. The humility of CDR Fields is as obvious in the book as it was at the airshow book signing and is evidenced in the way he and the USAF rescue helicopter pilot openly express their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ which is particularly uplifting. What an example Sandy 7 provides in his sacrifice and lack of bitterness.

Rescue of Streetcar 304: A Navy Pilot's Forty Hours on the Run in Laos
One of the very best "war stories" I have ever read. The authenticity of this first-hand account jumps out. The guts of this hero and his tribute to those who would sacrifice their lives in a prolonged and extremely dangerous effort to rescue him demonstrates the best of the patriots who walk among us. This ought to be required reading in high schools throughout America.