The most memorable mission I flew in the CH-46, or in any aircraft for that matter, took place when the Prisoners of War were released from North Vietnam. These men were flown from Hanoi to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. From there the were flown to bases near their homes in the United States. I was the a 1st Lt aircraft commander waiting late at night at Andrews Air Force base for the return of a Navy Commander Ray Alcorn who had spent seven years in the Hanoi Hilton. After the briefest welcome as he stepped off the Air Force C-141 jet, he boarded our Marine CH-46, MX-19. He shook our hands and we welcomed him home. I recall that he was cold, having not an ounce of natural insulation left on his body, so I lent him my flight jacket. With tears in my eyes I lifted off of the tarmac at Andrews and headed toward DC. I called Washington Tower and requested clearance for the helicopter route to Bethesda Naval Hospital. I told them that Commander Alcorn was on board, returning from 7 years in the Hanoi Hilton. The response was: "Nighthawk-19 you are cleared anywhere you want over Washington. Welcome the Commander home from all of us in Washington Tower." This was unprecedented in an area of numerous restricted areas and busy commercial traffic. We gave our hero a beautiful flight right across Washington, an unbelievable sight at night from a slow moving helo flying at 1000 feet. If I was not choked up enough I was really in tears after we landed on the Bethesda Helo Pad. He thanked us again, returned my jacket and stepped off the bird into the arms of his wife and two young children - Home at last -after seven years in Hell!....
I since have read about Ray and in the write up he said:
After 3 Days in the Philippines we were flown back to the states. I was returning to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Washington DC so I flew into Andrews AFB. and a Marine Helicopter flew me around downtown Washington. I was met by my family. What a perfect way to come home.
Here's to “Going Downtown: The U.S. Air Force over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia 1961-75” going up, up & up in sales and readers' likes, Thomas McKelvey Cleaver.
I know how difficult it is to proof read my own work. Editors are a necessary and annoying evil. I've just posted my review. I've also suggested some edits in the Kindle app. There are a bunch of line wrapping glitches and a few other minor things that I hope will be of use. -- Pete
Just looked at Amazon - they haven't posted your review yet, but the price, which had dropped this morning to $28, is now down to $19.80 for hardback - which is best-seller territory! Hurrah for me!
I like your name! Your book will do very well, if we-your followers-have anything to say about the matter. You can be so proud. And, I like the descriptive title. Congratulations 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Word after word, I became hooked on topics I'd unlikely pursue independently. War, fighter jets...Congratulations!!! and thank you for expanding the reach of your stories.
A MOST MEMORABLE MISSION
The most memorable mission I flew in the CH-46, or in any aircraft for that matter, took place when the Prisoners of War were released from North Vietnam. These men were flown from Hanoi to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. From there the were flown to bases near their homes in the United States. I was the a 1st Lt aircraft commander waiting late at night at Andrews Air Force base for the return of a Navy Commander Ray Alcorn who had spent seven years in the Hanoi Hilton. After the briefest welcome as he stepped off the Air Force C-141 jet, he boarded our Marine CH-46, MX-19. He shook our hands and we welcomed him home. I recall that he was cold, having not an ounce of natural insulation left on his body, so I lent him my flight jacket. With tears in my eyes I lifted off of the tarmac at Andrews and headed toward DC. I called Washington Tower and requested clearance for the helicopter route to Bethesda Naval Hospital. I told them that Commander Alcorn was on board, returning from 7 years in the Hanoi Hilton. The response was: "Nighthawk-19 you are cleared anywhere you want over Washington. Welcome the Commander home from all of us in Washington Tower." This was unprecedented in an area of numerous restricted areas and busy commercial traffic. We gave our hero a beautiful flight right across Washington, an unbelievable sight at night from a slow moving helo flying at 1000 feet. If I was not choked up enough I was really in tears after we landed on the Bethesda Helo Pad. He thanked us again, returned my jacket and stepped off the bird into the arms of his wife and two young children - Home at last -after seven years in Hell!....
I since have read about Ray and in the write up he said:
After 3 Days in the Philippines we were flown back to the states. I was returning to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Washington DC so I flew into Andrews AFB. and a Marine Helicopter flew me around downtown Washington. I was met by my family. What a perfect way to come home.
Great story, Hale. One of those moments you really wouldn't ever forget.
Hale. That is beautiful. That story makes me proud to be an American. Thank you.
I ain’t so proud to be an American these days!
Yeah, but you can be proud of being your kind of American.
Old, cynical, and impatient
"Let's kick the tires and light the fires”
Here's to “Going Downtown: The U.S. Air Force over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia 1961-75” going up, up & up in sales and readers' likes, Thomas McKelvey Cleaver.
Congratulations!
Congrats! Didn't know other books were published about anything other than the fucking cowards who were in the trump administration.
It is yours, you can tout. You should, and you did!
It hit my e-reader today. Looking forward to another interesting read.
Please remember to give it and any others of mine you read a review at Amazon. Thanks.
Will do. Are you familiar with a book called "Motor Torpedo Boats" by James Beck? It could use some editing, but I'll bet you'd enjoy it.
Hadn't seen that. Too many writers fail to understand that if it wasn't for the editors doing their job, we'd be exposed for the idiots we are.
I know how difficult it is to proof read my own work. Editors are a necessary and annoying evil. I've just posted my review. I've also suggested some edits in the Kindle app. There are a bunch of line wrapping glitches and a few other minor things that I hope will be of use. -- Pete
Fortunately that's not stuff *I* did. :-)
Just looked at Amazon - they haven't posted your review yet, but the price, which had dropped this morning to $28, is now down to $19.80 for hardback - which is best-seller territory! Hurrah for me!
I like your name! Your book will do very well, if we-your followers-have anything to say about the matter. You can be so proud. And, I like the descriptive title. Congratulations 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks "going Downtown" was slang for a mission to Hanoi, the toughest target of all.
Great news.... you are prolific!
Well done, I'm going to attempt a raid on my library but, if they aren't up to speed, there will be Amazon.
I’m so proud of you, TC. Descriptions and 3 reviews on Amazon are wonderful. Your loyal subscribers will help “tout” you.
Cheers!
Word after word, I became hooked on topics I'd unlikely pursue independently. War, fighter jets...Congratulations!!! and thank you for expanding the reach of your stories.
It totally boggles my mind that all of you are reading my books. I love it.
Your book brought back a memory which I posted here. Hope that is OK. I wanna read Tonkin Yacht Club and Going Down Town.
Ha! Amazon beat you to the punch. Received an email about your book several hours ago! Congratulations!
Yeah, I got that e-mail too, which resulted in this. :-)
KUDOS!