Shadows of Saigon: Air Commandos in Southeast Asia [Hardcover]

Elton Fletcher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2001

Shadows of Saigon blends fact and fiction to tell the story of Air Commando covert Special Operations in Cambodia after the American Incursion in 1970. Attack C-119 Shadow gunships of Fighting C Flight stationed at Saigon's Tan Son Nhut Airport provide round-the-clock close air support for the new Republic of Cambodia. Former teacher and ninety-day wonder, Lieutenant Paul Knight, fresh from pilot training volunteers to fly unconventional air warfare in antiquated, propeller-driven transports converted to side-firing attack-gunships. Flying low and slow in the face of the enemy to encircle targets with four Gatling-type miniguns, the Shadows rain death and destruction on the North Vietnamese Army and the Khmer Rouge. Three of Knight's pilot training classmates are also stationed in Vietnam; two are fellow- Air Commandos, the third pilots F-100 fighter/bombers. Exploits of the four Lieutenants lead to unexpected consequences, not only from flying combat over the battlefields of Cambodia and enemy infiltration routes on the Mekong and Ho Chi Minh Trail; but in relationships with the women they love back home in the states and those they love in the war zone. Four major factors affect the survivability of Knight and his buddies: aircraft reliability, monsoon weather, daylight missions, and enemy anti-aircraft guns. Designed primarily for night missions, the big black AC-119 Shadow and Stinger warplanes are inviting targets for Communist ground gunners during daylight. Rich with historical and technical detail, Shadows of Saigon upholds the legacy of Air Commandos who fly and fight; anytime, anyplace!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Former United States Air Force Captain, Dr. Larry E. Fletcher flew 177 combat missions as a pilot in AC-119 Shadow gunships during his tour of duty in Southeast Asia. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Medal with eight Clusters. Nominated for Pacific Air Forces Outstanding Junior Officer of the Year, Fletcher was assigned to Fighting C Flight of the 17th Special Operations Squadron at Tan Son Nhut Air Base; Saigon, Republic of Vietnam.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 516 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris Corp (May 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738869295
• ISBN-13: 978-0738869292
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,244,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Larry Elton Fletcher was born in a log farm house in Moniteau County, Missouri in 1943. He first published "Moniteau County Schools History 1810-1984" in 1984 and then after retirement as a public school teacher / administrator in 1997, he published two novels about his experiences as an air force pilot in the Vietnam War, "Shadows of Saigon - Air Commandos in Southeast Asia" and sequel "The Shadow Spirit - Flying Stingers & BUFFs in S.E.A.".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Special Operations come into the Spotlight, January 12, 2002

By 

Donald A Craig (Lumberton, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shadows of Saigon: Air Commandos in Southeast Asia (Hardcover)

As current as todays headlines of the present Air Commandos operating their AC-130 Gunships in Afghanistan, Dr Fletcher's book is riviting. "Shadows of Saigon" is a thoroughly human story of people striving and sometimes surviving in the caldron of war. His treatment of the core characters emotions and feelings reflect the inner struggles of many at that time. But I think the strongest element of his book is the telling of the day to day activities of members of this special unit who had a unique mission. For the first time the story of the American effort to aid the Cambodians is brought to light. As this "Black" gunship operation aided the Cambodians, thousands of Communist troops were tied up in Cambodia and unquestionably reduced American casualties inside South Vietnam. Dr Fletcher's telling of the tale is very engaging. You can smell the smells of Saigon. You can see and feel the the experiences of combat at 1500 feet over Cambodia and life in Vietnam. Some day the whole story of the AC-130 operations in Afghanist an may be told. The story of young Americans engaged in warfare out of the spotlight. But for now we have this enlightening book of the Vietnam generation that speaks to many.