You can watch Richard’s interview with the Library of Congress regarding the content of this book, as well as many other stories, by following this URL- https://youtube.com/watch?v=GV1vvwdJSbc
It will stay on YouTube until it is eventually filed in the United States Library of Congress for posterity in late 2024 or early 2025 as a study in the History of the Vietnam War.
Every word of Richard’s memoirs is accurate, and he uses the short story format. The reader can pick the book up for their next experience without worrying about plots, counterplots, or trying to find an acronym index. Each memoir has a beginning, a middle, and an end. The Author wants to expand his readership, so using acronyms was avoided at all costs.
This book was written for a readership of not only the military or former military personnel but also the civilian masses. Richard employs humor as much as he does tension and excitement. The reviews he has received so far have been very positive and available on this website.
As the story is told on the back cover of his book about his first flight in combat; “Sit down, shut up, and don’t touch a thing.” Just enjoy the ride, one you most likely have never had before.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

I wrote this book for several reasons. My main motivation was to encourage those who have always wanted to fly, to take the next step into the utter freedom one feels while soaring through a blazing blue universe, to experience the exhilaration of flight, the feeling of purpose, and the wonderful sense of achievement on a daily basis. If this is you, this book may encourage you to take the necessary steps toward becoming a professional pilot. I believe there is currently a huge demand in the rotary wing profession for more pilots. Those of us who flew in Vietnam have now retired, and I suspect the vacuum created is larger than the potential supply required to fly helicopters almost anywhere in the world.

I have done my best to take the mystery out of military communications and use the basic English language. I’ve composed my memoirs in short story form, so the book can be put down wherever you choose without worrying about plots, subplots, counterplots, et cetera. All of the incidents are as true to life as I can remember them.

Of course, there is always the motivation of entertainment. Otherwise, why would anyone read someone else’s experiences? I truly hope that you enjoy the humor, the heartache, and the experiences of an intense wartime environment. I have chosen to include information about the dynamics of flight, sometimes even explaining what is going on in the mind of the pilot, as if you were sitting right next to him during critical maneuvers—which instruments to observe, what tolerances can’t be exceeded, how all of those gazillion moving parts work together to defeat gravity by staying aloft to ‘get the job done!’

Richard Guay, Author.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Richard was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, into a US Air Force military family. After World War II, the average posting was two years at each location. While growing up, he lived in Bermuda; Fairbanks, Alaska; Ajo, Arizona; and Panama City, Florida; finally settling in Van Cleave, Mississippi, where he completed his high school education. He then studied biology and botany at Perkinston Junior College in Wiggins, Mississippi, for two years. Afterward, he joined the Sons of Tyme rock band before entering the US Army.

His requirement to report for a draft physical in late June 1968 was the catalyst necessary to encourage him to enlist in the military. After passing his draft physical and discovering it was impossible to enter a military pilot training program without a university degree, he discovered that the US Army would accept candidates for helicopter training with the academic qualification of a high school diploma.

With that, plus an additional two years of college, his academic qualifications were met. He joined the Warrant Officer Flight Training Program in September 1969. In 1973, he resigned his commission and became a civilian again, moved to Australia, and married a civilian Australian nurse he met on his second tour in Bien Hoa, Vietnam.

After working in a family business for twenty years, he returned to flying helicopters and working in the airline business for over thirty years, mostly in Papua New Guinea. He will be writing another book about his second tour in the Vietnam War, as well as another two books on his time flying helicopters in Papua New Guinea.

Reviews

What a great read!
If you ever served in the military, went through boot camp or basic, and especially if you ever went to flight training—and ultimately anyone who ever went to war—read this book!
I know I laughed, might have even stifled a tear or two, but what I did most was remember. Not only did this kindle memories in my consciousness, it awakened a synapse or two that took me back to some days that were worth reinstating firmly in my brain housing group!
This Yank, now Aussie, has a style distinctly with an American bent, but laces in some Aussie humor and perhaps a bit of Irish too! This great American served with distinction, as did his father, and you can see he has “been there and done that . . . even got a T-shirt!” Now he writes to inform, to please, and most especially to revive the memories of the many thousands of the rest of us who shared his experiences.

United States Army Lieutenant General, John Sylvester (Retired).

What a brilliant book! This is the story of the magnificent flying machine but equally importantly it is the story of a man who piloted the Huey all over the world and that story is very personal. The book is an honest account of a man ‘at war and at peace’. It records the very active life of Richard Guay, someone I have known for over 50 years, someone who until now has kept many of his exploits private. The details Richard provides the Dear Reader (as he refers to us) are at times gripping, exciting, funny, frank and sometimes raw, always vivid, always informative and always interesting. For some readers it will bring back memories, for others it may reinforce an inner need to get ‘out there’ and fly.
Regardless, whether you are someone who aspires to fly, a qualified aviator, or someone who simply loves a great story this is the book to read – you will not be disappointed!

W N N Forbes, 2Lt – Platoon Commander Vietnam.

Richard's Memoirs: A Simplified Style

Richard's memoirs are designed to be simple, engaging reads for all. Each short story is accurate and follows a clear structure with a beginning, middle, and end, allowing readers to enjoy the book without worrying about complex plots or acronyms. While his writing resonates with military and former military personnel, it is equally appealing to civilian readers. Richard skillfully blends humor, tension, and excitement, making his stories accessible to a broad audience. Positive reviews of his work, reflecting his expanding readership, are available on this website.