Reviews
With this book, you accompany Richard through several chapters of his life’s journey. You get one man’s view of US Army basic training, with many of its funny events. You get a first-hand view of becoming a US Army helicopter pilot, going through flight training, and even getting lessons on helicopter aerodynamics and emergency procedures. He is one of some 41,000 pilots who went through helicopter training at Ft. Wolters, TX during the Vietnam era (I am one also).
You get to see how he taught himself early in his career to fly to the edge of the flight envelope to gain valuable knowledge of flying helicopters. There are two kinds of pilots: the “early dreamers”, those who at a young age dream of flying, and the “late deciders”, those who decide to become a pilot as a profession later in life. Richard is one of those “early dreamers” and pursued his dream to become a pilot.
After completing flight school, he embarks on the journey of flying to Vietnam, becoming a helicopter co-pilot and later an Aircraft Commander in the Vietnam War. As a “slick” or “Huey” pilot, he shows how he received on-the-job training in the art of a helicopter war. He gives you insight into some serious, some tragic, and some funny war stories as “you are there” with him. His stories will spark similar memories in any Vietnam veteran helicopter pilot, myself included.
You can watch his progress from flying “slicks” (troop transport) to “guns” (gunship helicopters) as he proved his knowledge, experience, and superb airmanship abilities. His combat missions were first to move American troops and then later protect them. In war, lifelong “comrades in arms” are developed and a unique” brotherhood” is nurtured. Richard gives you an insider’s view of that brotherhood. I look forward to reading Richard’s future books of more of the chapters in his life.
Reviewer – Walter Sipes, PhD, Tucson, AZ.
282nd Assault Helicopter Company, HHC, 212th Combat Aviation Battalion 1970-71 Marble Mountain, Da Nang, RVN
Clinical Psychologist in the US Air Force for 16 years, NASA psychologist for 15 years.
Currently, an Aerospace Psychology Consultant supporting Axiom Commercial Space and Canadian Space Agency.
Review of the book VIETNAM WARHORSE: A HUEY PILOTS MEMOIRS
These stories are real. Richard and I were roommates during the story timelines. I consider myself a Teenage Combat Helicopter Pilot. This makes Richard older and more mature than I was. You will be as impressed as I am of his clarity, detail, and sequence of events and conditions. What a wonderful book of stories and I thank Richard for sharing the details.
CW3 Patrick Mullen (RET)
A REVIEW ON VIETNAM WARHORSE: A HUEY PILOT’S MEMOIRS
What a brilliant book! A very personal story of one man and his flying machine… at war!
No ordinary man and no ordinary machine - the Huey helicopter - the ‘Warhorse’ of the Vietnam War. A Warhorse that went ‘above and beyond’ in multiple ways.
The Huey had a huge impact on troops, both ‘friendlies’ and the ‘enemy’ throughout the long Vietnam War, more so than any other aircraft in any war before or since.
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. It is well worth reading!
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.
Richard is not a braggard and his writing style reflects that, it is not a ‘look at me’ book. He is a down-to-earth guy who anyone would love to have as a friend, and he has shared many of his experiences in bite sized chapters.
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
Australian
Richard’s book
I don’t like fiction because I can easily contrive my own fantasies, but Richard’s reality exceeds fantasy at times without the need for ego-driven pretence. He is committed to a reality imposed on him by others in which he participates with all of his natural skills and honest emotions, and writes in a way that makes me feel I’m right there - sharing the same dream/nightmare.
The story effectively demonstrates that all we can do is to function as well as we can in the reality in which we find ourselves, living the moment without the baggage of other times, with truth un- garnished by the spurious judgment of hindsight.
It’s one thing to write a book but another to make it readable. No matter how rich the contents, certain skills are needed to communicate them. Like other art forms, it’s often hard to pinpoint those qualities – I guess it’s a matter of getting the reader’s attention, getting to the point and expressing it with a pleasing flow, inducing anticipation with just the right amount of supporting detail – perhaps being a pilot yourself and fearful of taking your hands off the controls.
Richard is not acting, he’s ‘being’. He’s not bragging but draws you into his reality - almost like becoming him, connecting with his honest human reactions to that reality. The incidental observations are not clutter but living details you can almost touch, placing you in his situation. Richard comes out with plenty of bruises but has lived an adventurous life.
Ian Horn
Hey Richard, (and you can quote…!)
“What a fabulous read - I simply couldn’t put it down once I started! From Richards basic training in the US through to flight school – a real insight into how resilient you had to be to become a pilot back then, along with some hilarious parts! Then off to Vietnam where he really learned to fly and become part of an operational team. Some great humour in how Richard relates this to the reader as well as some poignant passages that reflect on the very real sacrifices made by some. Can’t wait for the next instalment!”
Alec Owen