Chariots in the Sky

A Story About U.S. Army Assault Helicopter Pilots at War in Vietnam

De: Larry A. Freeland

Narrado por: Derek Shetterly, Brittany Wilkerson

A dedicated U. S. Army assault helicopter pilot in Vietnam just wants to do his job and return home to his wife and family. But to do so, he has to survive harrowing combat missions, bad weather, mechanical problems, human error, and a commander who is more interested in personal glory and promotion than his men’s well-being. Along the way, he participated in the last major American combat operation of the war—Lam Son 719, a major incursion into Laos, which lasted sixty days and was the costliest period of the war for helicopter pilots and crew members.

The author drops his listeners right into the cockpit with a U.S. Army Assault helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. Strap in and Hang on! Chariots in the Sky is the story of Captain Taylor St. Jams, a dedicated U.S. Army Assault helicopter pilot at war in Vietnam. He just wants to do his job and return home to his wife and family. To do so, he has to survive harrowing combat missions, bad weather, mechanical problems, human error, and a commander who is more interested in personal glory and promotion than his men’s well-being. While performing his duties, Taylor will be challenged and tested beyond any measure he could have ever envisioned.

He is assigned to the Eagles, a Huey Assault Company with the 101st Airborne Division in I Corps. Their flying exploits take them into many familiar places to include: A Shau Valley, Khe Sanh, Quang Tri Province, Hue, DMZ, North Vietnam, and Laos.

Along the way, Taylor participated in Lam Son 719, the last major American Offensive Operation of the war. This historical campaign lasted for sixty days and involved over 750 helicopters flying in and out of Laos, supporting the South Vietnamese incursion into Laos. Lam Son 719 was the costliest period of helicopter warfare for the Americans. More helicopters were shot down and sustained battle damage than any other period during the Vietnam War.

©2021 Larry A. Freeland (P)2023 Larry A. Freeland