Winged Sabers [Paperback]

Lawrence H. Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2001

The Air Cavalry Troops who served in Vietnam were an unusually courageous and resourceful lot. Constantly facing death, they developed a bravado and camaraderie that made them a force to be reckoned with. Winged Sabers is a comprehensive, multi-faceted volume on the men, the machines, and the missions that shaped this unique group. Author Lawrence H. Johnson traces the development of the Air Cavalry concept from its tenuous beginnings to its present-day status as an accepted member of the combined arms team. Available in paperback for the first time, Winged Sabers should remain an indispensable resource for years to come.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Conversion of the cavalry arm of the Army from horses to vehicles removed much of that service's reconnaissance role; switching to helicopters returned it. This copiously illustrated volume documents the use of Vietnam as the proving ground for this new weapon. Johnson concentrates on the military organization of the Air Cavalry troop and the changes combat required. He outlines tactics and the various helicopters and their typical weapons and performance. Johnson also includes sections on all the Air Cavalry units, their insignia and uniforms, with appropriate illustrations, and presents a typical unit commander's diary as vivid illustration of what command of an understaffed unit in a busy area in 1969 was like. Libraries with an emphasis on this subject must have this; moderate recommendation to others.
- Mel D. Lane, Sacramento, Cal.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

The son of a pioneer Air Cavalryman, Lawrence H. Johnson III served as an aeroscout platoon commander and operations officer of an Air Cavalry troop during the Vietnam conflict. A member of the Company of Military Historians, he has written more than twenty-five articles on the history of the U.S. Cavalry.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811729885
• ISBN-13: 978-0811729888
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,484,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book Out on Air Cav in RVN, February 4, 2001

By 

Dan Dantzler, the original B/7/17 Blue 16 (Radcliff/Fort Knox.KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Winged Sabers (Paperback)

This is the best reference book that can be found on the Air Cavalry in the Vietnam Era. It has the official history, (activations, deactivations, etc) of ALL Vietnam Era Air Cav units of any size. It has a color print of the OFFICIAL unit crest of every Air Cav Regiment. I served in the 7/17th Air Cav under the author's father, LTC Lawrence H. Johnson, Jr., who nicknamed the 7/17 as the "Ruthless Riders" and designed the pocket patch. I had NEVER seen a 17th Cavalry crest until I saw it in this book. book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book. Complete histories of Air Cavalry units., July 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Winged Sabers (Hardcover)

Awsome reading of the hottest action of the Vietnam War. Complete Cavalry unit histories. A must for any Vietnam or aviation buff. The Cavalry did it all. If you ain't CAV, you haven't lived. END

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book!, April 3, 2001

By 

John Hairell (Columbia, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Winged Sabers (Paperback)

The results of over a decade of research, this is by far the best book written on Air Cavalry units in Vietnam. Long out of print, the book has been eagerly sought after by many people and this new edition brings it to a new audience.

Lawrence "Hank" Johnson (himself an Army aviator and the son of one of the leading figures in the formation of the Air Cavalry) details the struggle within the US Army for a role for Army aviation and the doctrinal changes which lead to the formation of Air Cavalry units. He describes the early years in the late '50s when a few visionaries pushed to develop the concepts of aerial reconnaissance, and he follows that history as it expands with the demands of the Vietnam War. He describes the units from the time of their formation, their operations and tactics, the equipment and weapons they used, the insignia they wore, and the aircraft they flew. Each unit is described in detail and illustrated with abundant photographs. Of special interest are the descriptions of traditions particular to specific units.

This is a great book and is invaluable to anybody interested in Army aviation and Air Cav operations in Vietnam.