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Home | Chickenhawk
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Chickenhawk's Guestbook |
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Readers from all over the world have posted messages here, so send your message to :
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Dear Bob, I am
a helicopter pilot in Loudon Tennessee and I went to look at a helicopter in
Oak Ridge Tennessee where the owner told me about your book "Chickenhawk".
I had never heard of it but he suggested I read it. When I started reading it
I realized I was reading it late into the night and found it hard to put it
down. I even found it hard to stop thinking about it after I read it. The
sacrifices that you made and many other men made over there needs to be
honored, what you saw, endured and heard needs to be replayed over and over
for younger generations that know little to nothing of what happen in your
life and your comrads in arms. Best regards, David Norman Mr. Mason, The
first time I read your book I was in highschool and it deeply moved me. I ran
across a copy of CHICKENHAWK the other day and just finished reading it,
again deeply moved. I guess I wanted to thank you for your sacrifices, and
all you have done for our country. After reading a bit about the the Vietnam
war, I get a sense of how people felt then, what was trying to be done and
the futility of it all. After reading personal accounts on the Vietnam war, a
lot of the people there describe much confusion. It seems to come from trying
to impose reason and order on something founded in chaos (war). Your candor
left me stunned and speechless. It is the best book I have ever read. I will
look for more of your work, and I hope that life is good to you in the way
you so richly deserve. Thanks for the rare glimpse, Garrel Kinzler dear mr Mason,
i have just read chickenhawk,the first book on Vietnam that i have read, and
i had to tell you how much respect i have for you!The risks that you had to
take to help a people that did not want to fight their own war and then to go
back to the U.S almost as a criminal in some peoples eyes is hard for me to
comprehend! I was stunned by the latter pages of the book as to how your life
progressed on your return home, it must of left you very angry that you had
risked your life hundreds of times only to be treated this way,i am sure that
everyone that reads your book must feel the way i do, that you deserve the
highest accolades and should be treated as a hero !! Dear Mr.
Mason, I own both Chickenhawk and Chickenhawk back in the world. Praise. I
just noticed a Hughes TH 55 on Barnstormers this morning that says it was a
Fort Wolters trainer, it is a 67 model. I couldn't help but wonder if you'd
flown it. It has 13,210 hours on it. I'm wondering if you own a helicopter
now??? If so, which one? I was born while you were in Vietnam June 66. Love
helicopters. Working towards getting/owning one... JD Mr. Mason,
Thank you for sharing your amazing story. I am a Flight Engineer in the
Canadian Airforce flying the Griffon, Bell 412. Dear Mister
Mason, I've read your book twice, and enjoyed it both times. Your book is
just so well written, I tried to describe the book to a friend to get them to
read it and all I could say was, " Its so incredible, its like, well I
cant explain it, your gonna have to read it yourself to find out. I am a war
history person, and Vietnam is one of the wars I enjoy reading about. Though
some of the stuff is just gruesome and awful, its what makes the story good,
if it was all the nice things that happened the story wouldnt be good. So
thank you for keeping all the facts no matter how bad. I have the most respect
for men like you, you guys did the impossible and the unthinkable for men
that you didnt even know, and you knew the entire time you may not come home
from the mission you were on. Your bravery and the bravery of all pilots and
the men that you flew in support of should never be forgotten. Thank you for
your service and thank you for writing such a great book. -Brian D. Dear Bob, Just
got finished reading Chickenhawk; excellent, excellent. Thank you very much.
Apparently our service times overlap, Robert. I was in the Air Force from
July 5, 1963 to June 17, 1967. After a short assignment at Andrews AFB, I was
sent to Kadena AFB in Okinawa. I spent 9 months there, and then was
reassigned to Korat RTAFB in Thailand. I spent 1 year in Thailand. I worked
on the F105's that went on bombing missions over Viet Nam. So, although I
didn't see direct action like you did, I am a Viet Nam War veteran, also.
Once again, I enjoyed the book immensely. Gary Klein I have loaned
my copy of Chichenhawk and Chickenhawk back in the world out many times.
Chichen hawk is out on loan at this time. I volunteered for Helecopter flight
training in 1966, but after finding out about the 18 months extension, I
withdrew my application. You know 18 months seemed like a long time to a 19
year old. After reading your books I know that at that time I was not mature
enough for the rigors of the training. Thanks so much for your work. MR MASON, I AM
A 2 TOUR VIETNAM VETERAN,68-69,70-71,WHO SERVED WITH THE 1ST CAV ALSO AND
THEN THE 11TH ACR.I READ YOUR BOOK BEFORE AND RECENTLY BOUGHT IT AGAIN AND
THOROGHLY ENJOYED IT AGAIN.I TOO SUFFERED FROM THE DEPRESSION AND FOUND MY
WAY INTO A BOTTLE.BUT I JUST CELEBRATED 18YRS SOBER YESTERDAY.AND SOMETHING
FUNNY HAPPENED:WHEN I QUIT DRINKING,THE NIGHTMARES STOPPED.IF YOUR EVER UP
NEAR CLERMONT,I KNOW YOU ARE IN FLORIDA,PLEASE LOOK ME UP. BILL SEUFFER
RETIRED US ARMY RETIRED CHICAGO POLICEMAN Dear Mr Mason.
I just finished your book. It was assigned to me by one of my college profs.
My father was in vietnam and while reading your book I kept immagining that
everytime you flew into a hot LZ to pull out some grunt I kept thinking you
were pulling out my father. I know you your life was rough after the war and
so was my fathers. But if you didn't do your job then people like me wouldnt
be here. So thanks for doing what you did and thanks for writing a great book
I plan to read the rest of your books. Thanks Jesse Dear Mr.
Mason, First and most of all, I'd like to say that your description of this
most awful place is simply amazing and very hard to get away from. I have
been a great fan of the Huey, and your personal experience, has made me
realize, how difficult it was. Every soldier, every pilot and anyone who was
ever involved with this colflict and had to go through what you all went
through, deserves the respect and admiration only reserved for people who
through the years demonstrated their valor and courage, every single day of
their tour. It must have been very difficult for you, coming back to
normality! after you were in hell for a year! I admire how you came through,
and how you have managed to put your thoughts together. Very well done Mr.
Mason. A super Huey pilot and one heck of an individual. It is an honor for
me to be able to leave a message to you. God Bless you and your entire
family! German J Gutierrez Dear Bob, I
have just finnished Chickenhawk for the second time and it has left a great
impression on me. I have just bought the book for a friend who is about to
finnsh his training as a British Navy helicopter pilot, I felt that he really
benifit from your account. For me the lasting impression of the book is not
of the war but rather the effect it had on you and your family all those
years after your return home. I have long wondered how I would hold up to
being in a war and have followed careers that would test my courage and
confidence, and as such I have read a great deal of military litrature, but
your account stands out with its honesty. Regards Alex Howden Hi Bob. I have
just completed reading your book Chickenhawk. I was a teenager when you were
in Vietnam and I recollect seeing many news clippings and magazine articles
on the war. Unfortunately we didn't have television here in those days!! I
have always believed it was an injustice for all you young Americans to have
to be subjected to someone else's war as was so similar here in South Africa.
Having read the book, I feel like I we are old friends due mostly to the way
in which you make one feel part of the situation!! There were times when I
was rolling with laughter and times when tears were streaming from my eyes!
Although I have seen many documentaries and read a lot on the war, I feel
this is the most personal insight into what really went on. The fact that you
survived a year in that situation is in itself a commendation. Thank you for
allowing me to see the action through your eyes. It has given me a new perspective
of war at it's worst!! I have just
finished reading ChickenHawk; it's 00:14 local time. I am stunned. It
demonstrates bravery on so many fronts; not just in combat but also bearing
your sole to the world. I certainly couldn't do it. I'm not a helicopter
pilot (I fly light aircraft) nor am I a combat pilot; nor would I want to be
!!! But anyone interested in aviation or Vietnam should read this. Thankyou !
Jim Dear Bob,
Congratulations on a great read,I`ve just finished CHICKENHAWK for the first
time.It brings back memories of my teenage days listening to mid sixties TV
news coverage of the War with names like Da Nang,Hue and The DMZ. We did not
realise what a hell-hole the Nam was in those days, but your book along with
movies like "Platoon" and "We were Soldiers" has revealed
what mental anguish you and the "Grunts" must have gone through
during your time in-country. I still can`t come to grips with the reality
where you could have been killed instantly or severely mutilated-FOR A WHOLE
YEAR!. No wonder you suffered afterwards. Nice to see your pictures on the
website,am currently looking for a DVD of your Documentary. Best Regards Paul
Wilkinson I have just
finished Chickenhawk. Being someone who has come late in life to flying
(fixed wing rather than rotary) I lap up first hand accounts of flying. I
enjoyed the sections on the flying techniques applied but what I guess I was
not quite prepared for was the overwhelming sense of the futility of the
conflict and the waste of human life on both sides. Whatever the political
issues concerning the justness or otherwise of the war (and we've had this in
the UK over the invasion of Iraq) the public attitude, hinted at in the final
part of the book, towards the vets was and is inexcusable. The book was
tremendous and the economy of style and description reminded me of Hemingway
and his account of service in Italy during the first world war in A Farewell
to Arms. I also read in a recent UK flying magazine of your recent flight at
the controls of a helicopter after many years. I hope it was enjoyable! Dear Mr and
Mrs Mason. Greetings from beautiful Greece. You have to excuse my English. I
cannot tell you how happy I am to have found your site on the net. Although I
hate wars, I realise that they are sometimes necessary. My biggest love
though are Helicopters. I am now 50 years old. When I read Chickenhawk I was
30 and you must believe me by reading the first lines I was in shock. The
reason is: I also had dreams of floating but when someone watched I couldn't
levitate. I was really amazed to find that Mr. Bob Mason had also these kinds
of dreams as a child. Beyond this the books itself is my treasure and still
have the same copy I had purchased in 1985 and have read it over and over
again. Mr. Mason and rest of the men ordeals and struggles have moved me and
is the most memorable book I ever read. My best regards to the both of you
Tom Apostolou .I was
fortunate enought to receive both the auto biographies for Christmas, having
read Chickenhawk as a student I was impressed to see how fresh it still is
years later, Back to the World is just as engrossing, I have just ordered the
two novels from Amazon. Both as a graduate 20 years ago and as a cop now I
feel you obviously wrote from your heart and wish to thank you for the
vicarious thrills and fears you have put me through. I hope that you will
continue to publish as you have a rare talent. Thank you for
bringing the book back on printing. I been searching all over looking for a
copy of it and finally I found it. I think it's one of the best writen
accounts of the war. When I was in the Army I flew on Huey's ofthen and I
wonder how many man like you flew that bird over rice pads in Viet Nam. I
used to read the historical records searching for information on where it had
been and yes those birds were in Nam. God bless you Mr Mason and thank you
for everything. Hello Bob I
just finished my 2nd reading of chichenhawk. I was birn 1963 I have read a
lot of books about the war over the years and this is in my top 5. I rember
some of it but I was very young I remember my mother sayin to me that she was
afraid that I would have to go over their and I was very scared of that for I
was only7 or 8 years old and the last place I could think of was a war? I
still rember that day when it was on the news and my mom was upset about what
was going on over their when she said that. Anyway I had an uncle that was
over their in 69 in the 101st but he still wont talk about it to me to this
day. I have had to get all my info from books and tv shows. I just wanted to
say thanks for it and wecome home. If you ever come to seattle to do a book
signing or a speaking engagement let me know. Andrew Fortier Hi Robert: I
recently got my ol' dogeared original edition of Chickenhawk back,from
another close friend. Over the years,I have lent it out many times.You see,I
shared your experience.I am VHPA member MO9114.Flew with the
25th,YellowHornets,and was a Headhunter,with the 1/9th Many times over the
years,I have been asked,what was it like? I give them your book to read,and
then they understand.I have most of the other books,but yours was the
first,and is still the best!Glad you are doing well,am looking forward to
meeting you at a reunion someday CW-2 ret Robert Bean w1rlb@bellsouth.net Dear Bob and
Patience, I re-read 'Chickenhawk' last month (about the 10th time since 1985)
and then found your website. 'Weapon' and 'Solo' are old friends too. Found
'...Back in the World' at Powells and finished it Monday. What I've found so
remarkable of two decades of 'Chickenhawk' is that when loaned it is usually
passed on to another reader rather than returned. I once found two used
copies at a local bookstore, both with my stamp. Both had been very well
read. Wishing you good sleep. Charles Vigneron, Walla Walla, Washington I know
how to flight hunter killer scouts, class of 69-31, b co 123rd av btn
americal (war lords-aero scout co). i have tried to read CH
several times but never get past Fort Wolters. my first brother-in-law was an
assault pilot. me, i never got near one or even saw one. we were always off
by ourselves in some free fire zone just pickin and shootin. never the less,
your book has openned a lot of people's eyes to some of the things that would
never have been known about war. i think you know why i can't read your
book--sorry chuck Hello MR. Mason!
I read your book and was absolutly astonished by your life's story! In
Israel, Being a pilot is the most wanted Job in the army. I my self am a
candidate for The Flying Course. It has always been my dream to be a pilot. I
read your book and found it inspirational and amazing, I hope i will be able
to be an amazing pilot like you have been. Last of all, i wanted to tell you
that you shouldn't have listend to the people saying how stupid you are and
stuff like that. I think you are a hero and should be given the proper
respect, as one. If someone calles you an idiot, tell him to go up against
the blazing barrel of an enemy's gun before he speaks. Thank you for this
amazing book!! Hi, I read
your book "ChickenHawk" after my dad read it. I was never even
interested in Vietnam until my dad bought me a PS2 game based in the war.
Then i was just interested in it! I take it youve seen "Apocalypse
Now", how real do you think that film reconstructs Vietnam? Also i have
microsoft flight simulator 2004, and a downloaded Bell Huey, and tried a
running takeoff. The chopper was 1000LB over weight and i got it to take off!
I liked you book but i cant understand how you remember everything that ws in
the book, was some of it slightly different to what really happened or was it
all real? Also are you like a celebrity now, and do you still think about
specific times in Vietnam or have you forgotten about it? Please reply, kurt Dear Mr.Mason:
I just finished re-reading your great Chickenhawk book for the second or
third time and enjoyed it very much, but it set me to thinking about you and
all your post Vietnam problems and I wondered if you were even alive and if
so how you were making out. I had my wife search for you and was very pleased
to not only find your website but find that you were doing well.
Congratulations on your accomplishments and for surviving not only Vietnam
but also everything that came after. I am so pleased for you and relieved
that you made it! Your fan, Bob Little. Oh, I am a eight year vet of the
USAF. Absolutely
incredible book! I have deep respect for you and all respect for you and all
Vietnam veterans. Just wondering whether you kept in touch with the other
pilots, gunners, grunts etc. because they must have been like extended family
to you. Dear Mr.
Mason, Thank you for writing Chickenhawk. There were and still are many
things running through my mind in the aftermath of reading so I won't let out
all my thoughts here. But I think if every American reads Chickenhawk, they
will finally know what they are supporting and opposing instead of choosing
either side for the sake of. I met so many Americans who thought they knew
but I always had doubts and your book only further proves that. I would also
like to salute Mrs. Patience Mason who has undergone equal torture being your
steadfast and "unflagging" wife. All the best from this side of the
world. I've just read
(for the first time) your book, an old 1983 edition. Finishing the last page
I wondered what happened to you afterwards, I felt really sorry for you !
(and all other vets). So I was glad to find this web site and learn it turned
out ok for you and Patience. I certainly learned a lot from your book. Thanks
for writing it ! Mr. Mason, I
read Chickenhawk back in high school in 1988 and again when I came back after
three years in the Army (90-93). I am now a US Federal Agent with the US
Immigration and Customs Enforcement here in Atlanta. I am not at all
surprised since I always wanted to be Fed (next to being a helicopter pilot,
but we'll see). If you tour I would like to know or ever in the Atlanta area
please advise. Thanks for sharing your experience and I can't beleive Im
writing to you. Robert TWow ive read
your book many times and this last time i felt it was my duty to make sure
you were alright, I dont know why but I really felt I needed to know if you
were ok my book is old i got it from dad when i was 12 im 24 now and that
last chapter made me feel real bad for you. so i desided to search out and
see if you were ok and im glad it looks like it turned out ok for
you.Actually I hope to hear a replie form you to my email and dont worrie my
son will read you book to when he's old enough. God bless you :) Dear Mr.Mason,
I am contacting you to show my appreciation for such a fascinating and honest
account of your experiences during the vietnam conflict. I am 22 years old
and I have already read your book twice, however a recent programme on irish
tv remembering men born in ireland who fought and died in the conflict has
reignited my interest and has me back reading 'Chickenhawk' again. I've
always had an interest in the war in vietnam (friends say it is more like an
obsession) more so than any other major conflict,probably brought about by
films such as Oliver Stones 'Platoon' and Stanley Kubricks 'Full Metal
Jacket' but none of these films conveyed the reality of war and the attitudes
of young men at war more so than your book. As you mention in the authors note,
I also feel it is 'impossible to know too much about the vietnam era and its
effect on individuals and society', I heard Bruce Spingsteen once say that he
hoped 'that future generations would learn from the vietnam war, and the next
time some politician comes along trying to sell the youth of america a lie,
that they will have read a bit of history and not be lead by blind
patriotism' However, the lessons of vietnam it seems have not been learnt,
with the war in Iraq costing thousands of americans lives. Anyway, id like to
thank you again for putting pen to paper and im lookin forward to 'Back to
the World'. Brian O' Sullivan, Clonakilty, Cork, Ireland Mr. Mason,
Very good book. Very good job that you and all those men did. God bless you,
one and all. and welcome home.There were many people who were proud of you
guys and what you did. The media just didn't want you to see. I happen to
live a short 12 miles from FT Wolters, and I often go scaveging there. Talk
to me, Mr. Mason, and you too could have a small piece of US Army Primary
helo school mailed to your house!!!!!That is, if you want anything from that
place. I hope you have fond memories of my state, I hope so. In closing, let
me say just this. You did a job well. So, Welcome home boys! Kent Carter PS
wouldja like the door handles off of the base theater? hehehehehehehh Former
Sergent of Infantry FireFighter/EMT-Driver/engineer Dear Mr Mason,
I first read your book 'Chickenhawk' in 1985 and have re-read it many times
since over the years. Your style of writing is quite extraordinary in that
the reader is almost looking over your shoulder; hearing, seeing and feeling
the experiences as they unfolded. For a time there I felt I could almost
follow the movements of flying a helicopter. I came across your web site
recently and was quite simply blown away by the photographs! It was like a
time machine, a real glimpse at the past. It really drove home to me that
your Vietnam experiences were for real. The photos simply proved the text. I
still find your book an astonishing read. Congratulations. Robert,Chickenhawk
was an absolutely brilliant read! I've only just found your site and will
return many times I'm sure.Off to the local bookstore tomorrow to try and
order the illustrated version. If I can't get it I'll be back. Again well
done on stunning and frightning ride through Vietnam. Take care and a Happy
Christmas. hello rob.
Iread your book chickenhawk every two years. I have recently seen the film
Once were warriors (mel Gibson?) robert why havent yor book been made into a
motion picture? The helicopter seens in the Once were warriors, reminded me
of the seens you wrote about in chickenhawke. I have tried to get a copy of
the video about training USA army pilots here in Australia (narrated by H
Ford) but I am unable to get a copy anywhere. Do you have any Ideas. Robert,
Thankyou for a wonderful book. Tim Lambert. ex RAAMC Dear Mr Mason,
I bought "ChickenHawk" years ago, I had to order it as you cannot
get it in any bookstore in Paris :) I read it already three times. I really
like the book, even if I found it at the end very sad (regarding stuff as the
chest protector episode, and the post war "events"). Today by
looking for a link to the book to recommend it to fellows who fly sim
helicopter, I found your site. I'm glad to have found it, because it makes me
feel that you are happier now than at the end of the Book. It is kind of relief
to me. May sound strange, but that is true. It was so unfair to me, that
people "having make it through Vietnam" to face such terrible time
after... Thanks for for having wrote such a book, please forgive my english
mistakes, I'm just a frog after all ;) BTW I'm only 38, I was born in January
1967. Best regards GH Portefait Mr. Mason, I
have read the original "Chickenhawk" and "Back in the
World" so many times I have had to repurchase them as they wore out. I
am still riveted by your experience in in Viet Nam. It is truly a thrill to
write this and know you might read it. I won't dribble on and on, but you
should know how much respect I have for you and the courage you had during
and after the war. I have many questions about specific operations (LZ
X-Ray)for example. Rest assured I will continue to buy your books as they
wear and as new ones are published. Thank you for giving me a window into a
very hellish time in your life and our Country's history! dear mister
mason, thank you for writhing your book! i loved it! i read it for the first
time when i was ten years old and it has been my favorite book ever since.
now eight years later i bought my own copy and read it again, amazingly i
loved it still even though my taste has changed very much over the years. i
hope you have fully psychologically recovered and i wish you all the best.
love marina Mr. Mason: I
recieved my copy of Chickenhawk yesterday and read it almost all the way
through, I only have a few pages to go to finish it. I really enjoyed your
book. Your book was highly recommended to me by several people (ex Army
pilots and crew chiefs). I am glad I got the book. My dad flew in the Army in
the early 1960s (he didn't go to Vietnam). He flew Hueys, H-13s, H-21s,
H-34s, among others. He was with the 4th Division in Fort Lewis. My brother
flew Army Hueys for the 101st during the 1980s, and was with the Multi
National Force and Observers in Sinai, Egypt. My brother was killed in 1989
while PIC of a Delaware National Guard Huey. Your book helped me understand
and answer a few questions of my own regarding flying in the Army. I recently
got my helicopter license (in an R-22) after 3 years of on and off lessons. I
originall started the lessons to learn a little of what my brother knew, I
was only going to take a few lessons, and the next think I know I finshed up
my private pilot training. I am 49 years old and very proud of my
accomplishment (notice patting myself on the back). Have you watched "In
the Shawdow of the Blade" I have enjoed that video as well. I have got
to know Bill McDonald (crew Cheif on the project) through emails. He is a
great person. Thanks again for such a great book. Rob Pearce "Chickenhawk"
totally deserves the title of "THE BEST BOOK EVER!" I think i loved
it so much because you let the real thoughts of war and conflict spill from
its pages. It also lets non military people have an insight into the mind of
the people caught up in conflict. I hope that more people in power read it to
understand what it it is like in combat and how much politicians under value
life. I think "Chickenhawk" should be compulsary reading for all
teens and older , because i think the world would be very slightly better for
it. I first read chicken hawk at 14 and then again last week at 32 , now i
can't wait to get a copy and read " Chickenhawk Back In The World" Bob - I just
finished reading your book for the 11th time, and it gets better each time I
read it. I visit your website periodically, especially while I'm reading your
book; the photo gallery is an excellent visual reference to your written
accounts. Thank you [and all Vietnam vets] for your service and dedication.
---Scott Fees Edmond, Oklahoma P.S. I often visit your wife's website and
though it is intended for military personnel suffering from PTSD, it is a
valuable reference for law enforcement personnel as well. Please thank
Patience for her work; it is truely a blessing to others! P.S.S. As I read
about that one flight being filmed by the CBS news crew, have you ever
considered trying to locate that footage and posting it [or a link to it] on
your website? Robert, you
are an excellent writer and storyteller. Chickenhawk is one of the best books
that I have read about the Viet Nam War. It's hard for someone my age who
wasn't old enough during the war to understand just what a difficult time it
was for our country both at home and in South East Asia. Every book I have
read about the war I always wonder if the author crossed paths with my father
who died after being wounded at Con Thein during October of 1969. I know that
in your case you never did because you had long since returned home, but
never the less he could easly have been one of the thousands of grunts that
taxied in and out of the jungles. My father died in a hospital shortly after
arriving but from all accounts that I have read and from exchanging letters
with two of his fellow Marines that if it wasn't for a fearless dustoff pilot
he would have died right there in the jungle. Thank you for your service to
our great country, and thanks for Chickenhawk which is another great gift. Bob and
Patience, Re-reading 'Chickenhawk' after 10 years made me realise what a
great book it is. You tell your tale in a manner very similar to that of John
Forfar's 'From Omaha to the Scheldt- the Story of 47 Royal Marine Commando'.
Honestly, with warts,and with such heartrendering feeling. The folibules of
humanity, the pain of separation, the breaking down of men under constant
stress are all there. You chose to hide nothing, deny anything but through it
all display the pride and professionalism of the Serviceman in war. Sights
you saw most do not - thankfully. Your realisation that the war was perhaps
not as 'honourable' as the Generals and the politicians made it out to be is
gradually brought out. I could go on but suffice to say I would and do
recommend, along with John Forfar's, your book to all youngsters who
mistakenly think war is glorious. It isn't. Its dirty, degrading and once
fought never goes away. Perhaps all our politicians should read it too then
maybe they wouldn't be so keen to send our children (rarely theirs) to fight
in their wars? Thank you for such a good, honest read. I just hope that now
you are sorted and the memories are where they belong, in the Past. Thank you I read your
book more years ago than I care to remember and enjoyed it. I had almost
forgotten it until I was contacted by a distant cousin about family tree
stuff. He currently flies Hueys for the USAF. Reminded me of you book. I am
so glad you seem to have overcome the problems you were having at the end of
the book and I am really pleased you are still with Patience. I don't think
any of our societies do enough helping ex-servicemen cope with the transition
from active combat back to a civilian life. We owe it to you all. Hi Robert I am
a big fan of Chichenhawk and have read it about four times and I guess I'll
read it another four in my life time. The funny thing is that I am anti war
and that I had not even been born the time you went to Vietnam. But I am a
pilot and love helicopters and the fact that you made the book so personal
help me to relate to the situation you were faced with back then. Thank you
for writing Chickenhawk and shearing that part of your life with me and the
world. The copy of Chichenhawk I have is one of the early editions, but would
love to own a copy of the new addition with all the photo's, can I order one
from you and would it be possible to order a copy of the DVD of Flightline
from you, Oh and if you happened to feel like autographing then both that
would be really amazing. Thanks again Cheers Al Seconi New Zealand A good friend
handed me a copy of your book a few days ago. I couldn't put it down. I was a
grunt with the 101st in Vietnam in 69-70. At the time I envied you pilots for
being able to fly back to base after dropping us off at some nasty LZ. Now I
think I may have been safer hunkered down in the jungle. Either way, those
were horrible times that we lived through. Thank you for recording so much of
the truth for posterity. I only wish our country could learn something from
our mistakes. Like you it took me a number of years to readjust to the world.
But I eventually finished college and had a fine career as a park ranger in
Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Alaska. Ironically, I had many more
flights with Vietnam veteran helicopter pilots while doing search-and-rescue
missions in the American wilderness. Their experience cannot be duplicated by
any of the young pilots coming up. I have recently made an effort to contact
some of my old comrades from the 101st. Your work helps convince me that this
is the right thing to do. Hi Bob, Just
re-read your book ChickenHawk for the god knows how many times. was
introduced to it in '87 by my fireman in the New Zealand railways, he was a
gunner with the NZ 161 batt in Nam, I myself was in the NZ Navy for nine
years, so we had a bit in common. Unfortunatly Matt was one of the unlucky
ones,and it caught up with him- he took the hard way out, off a light tower.
Your book meant a lot to him(and myself)So I keep a (new) spare copy as a
memory to him and others like him. Pleased things are working out for you,
would have been an honour to fly with you. Ka kite ano Wayne R Abel. Kiwi in
Oz I just finished
your book and would like to add my compliments. I'm a 14-year old history
buff and i've read a lot of the books about Vietnam. I'd have to say that
yours is definitely the best I have read as well as the most detailed. Thank
you for fighting when you really didn't have to, people like you are the best
of humanity. I hope to read your other books soon too. Thank you again for
what you did and keep up your standard on books! Mate, Ive read
Chickenhawk so many times Ive lost count. Robert, are you going to make a
movie based on the book? I (and many of my friends) hope you do. I was only a
kid when the Vietnam War was in full swing but can still remember the sounds
of Hueys around Liverpool (just outside of Sydney) where the Army did most of
their training before they were shipped out. Best of luck for the future. Just finished
your book Bob I actually picked it up at a counterfit book stall
(photocopied) in Cambodia a couple of months ago I wasnt sure what what to
expect but it was the best damn counterfit they had there "who say's
dont judge a book by its cover". Anyways there isnt much I can say that
has'nt already been said other than this. Thankyou for sharing that part of
your life with me Bob I have grown as a person because of it, I will carry
you and your brothers in my thoughts for the rest of my life. Take care and
all the best Aaron. WoW, just
wow!, this book is the only book i have ever read and liked, i din't want to
put it down because i could tell this wasn't some fiction, this was an actual
account of a pilot in Vietnam. I am only 15 and i already have my sights firmly
set on joining the RAF (have done for years), and this has inspired me, maybe
the hot LZ's aren't too appealing, but as you said its nice to know you have
the control. Nice one, and i never thought a book would bring out emotions
from me, this one did, at the end with your nightmares. Cheers for the good
read!, i'll be picking up a copy of the after story as i read chickenhawk in
a day. 'Eddie' Hello Mr.
Mason... I first read Chickenhawk when it came out and loved it and have gone
back to read it again several times since then...a couple of weeks ago, I got
the book version of "We were Soldiers" (I loved the movie) and was
surprised to see your name mentioned as one of the pilots (I had forgotten
that you mentioned your involvement in your book)...this caused me to go pull
out your book and read it once again...and after several re-reads, it's still
great...I have always been facinated with the war in Vietnam because of my
age, I'm 52. When draft time came around for me, I had a high number and then
they started cutting back on manpower. This summer, we went to the New Mexico
and the Four Corners area of the Southwest for our vacation. One of the
places I wanted to see was the Vietnam Veterans Chapel (located in Springer,
NM) which is about a 30 minute drive from Taos, NM on the Enchanted Circle
Drive. I'm not sure if you have heard about it but I thought of you when I
got there because there is a Huey (mounted on a pole about 10 ft off the
ground) that looks like its coming in for a landing, that is on the hill
above the memorial. The Chapel is a memorial to David Westphall (a Marine who
was killed in Vietnam on May 22, 1968) and others who died in the war. If you
are interested, email me for pictures. Every time I read your book, I always
wonder what happened to your after your trouble with the law. I'm glad
everything is OK with you and your family. Hal Gibbs, Nashville, TN Hi there Mr Mason, My name is Craig Lyons and I have been having a look at your website.I really enjoy it and visit often just to check out the photos of you and the guys.When I first went on and saw that Don Reynolds had died I actually felt a little lost,and I didnt evan know him.I think that with the way you write and the fact I've read your book 6 times,I got the sense of what he may have been like.Anyway the reason I am writing is to try find out were I might be able to get a copy of the documentry you did called Flightline with Harrison Ford.I havent been able to come up with a copy yet.Can you help. Kind Regards Craig Lyons craig lyons <craig.lyons@iag.com.au> Hi, Im glad i
found this site. I looked for one about 5 yrs ago after my first read as i
wanted to say how much i love Chickenhawk. Im actually reading it again
currently for the umteenth time. Its strange as im not a miltary man, tbh i
dont read a lot except for this book but i have a profound interest in a war
that started over 15yrs before i was born! Finding Chickenhawk through this
was such a bonus. The detail of the actual flying is so great i feel i could
actually get in a heuy and stand a fair chance of taking off :) The pics on
here were totally unexpected and such a bonus - specially putting a face to a
name etc. Just b4 i picked the book up (last week)I spent a good few days
looking through all the pics on popasmoke.com on the off chance that i could
find any of your photos, so i was thrilled when i found this site. Anyway
Cheers for giving many pleasurable hours reading your book and giving such a
great insight into what it was like for you (and after). Hope you are well,
all the best! My dad was a
soldier in the Angolan wars, he was given your book as a gift and is adamant
that is the most sincere and hard-hitting war story he has ever read. Now I
am finally reading our very dog eared and well thumbed copy. (It has been
read countless times) and I have to agree with him. Your genuine humanity and
unwavering honesty is apparent throughout the novel, as is your attention to
detail. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us and for opening my
eyes as to the true horrors and human victories that you witnessed and
experienced. Chickenhawk had me laughing out loud (mostly thanks to Connors!)
as well as shaking my head in complete shock and sadness. Best wishes for the
future. Mike Firstly,fantastic
book.I have read this book and plan to read it over and over again.I may have
missed it but was wondering what happened to your gunner Rubenski.The last i
recall him being mentioned was when he found his friend McEllroy dead.Do you
know anything about him after this point. Bob, Its been
years since I first read Chickenhawk as a wide eyed teenager back in the
eighties and would you believe I'm reading my battered old copy again! I'm
pleased to have stumbled across your web site, its really the first time I've
been able to put faces to all the names in your book which is great. I'd like
to add your book was a true inspiration to me pushing me on to realise my
dream of Flying Helicopters, which I did for nine years before being seduced
by the shining jets that I now fly, I however do keep my rotary hand in and
was able to fly a genuine Vietnam era Huey last week, the A/C was a UH 1H
which had logged about 550 hours in Vietnam and was a real pleasure to fly,
anyway all the best to you. William. Dear Mr Mason,
Read your book again. Brilliant! I compare it with Len Deighton's work,
"Bomber". That was fiction of course. What they have in common is
this, once you pick up either book and open it, you are hooked. You have to
read it again! (you probably feel you and your colleagues have little in
common with Deighton's doomed aviators). Well, whichever way you look at it,
Chickenhawk is a first class book. I hope that you and your wife Patience
have now recovered from the war and are enying quiet prosperity. Kind
Regards, Ian White. Hello Bob! I
am very glad so You wrote "Chickenhawk" and as Huey-pilot tell Your
story, and the story about Vietnam War. Your book is also printed in polish
langauge as "Powiedz, e si boisz" (translate: "Tell, so You
fear"). Of course i have Your book, and this is one of my best favorite
books in my library. Thank You very much for this book! I wish You very good
heal and all the best!!! Jarek Dear Mr.Mason,
I have read all your books several times. Chickenhawk and Back in the real
world are my favorate books.Like you I love aviation and sailboats. Iam
currantly learning to fly the R-22 trainer and I sail a Westsail 32 on the
Chesapeake bay. Thank you for your outstanding service and for your wonderful
books. All the flite instructors reccomend your book highly. Good luck and
God bless I salute you sir. Vets for peace. I have read
both Chickenhawk and Chickenhawk: Back in the World and loved both of them. I
am currently taking a Prison Literature course in my Master's program and
would like to incorporate your second Chickenhawk into a study of Vietnam
vet's prison experiences. Do you know of any vets who, upon returning to
society, became incarcerated and then wrote about it? Any advice or
suggestions would be appreciated. My father returned from Vietnam and to this
day won't discuss it. I think there are many others out there who share in
those experiences, have become imprisoned because of it, and have written
their story. Bob and
Patience: Just finished Chinckenhawk and liked it a lot. I flew Cobras with
the 334th AHC out of Bien Hoa in 1969, we were a Cobra company flying a
variety of missions for units all over III Corps - Combat Assaults,
Hunter-Killer, LRRP and Special Forces support, Sniffer, Emergency Standby,
etc. I was shot down near the Iron Tringle, just south of Lie Khe, got the
million dollar wound with a broken back, with good fortune I got the use of
my legs back. Come to Peachtree City sometime and we can swap a few lies, and
maybe I can get your Atlanta friend Jack Horne to join us since I know him. I
don't have any helicopters for you to fly, but I just got a new 6-seater golf
cart and I'll show you what life is like in a golf cart town. I have a few
buddies here who flew hel in VN, we tell lies over breakfast now and then,
come join us. A few years ago I wrote about my Vietnam experiences in a book
about (for) my two daughters. Though I'm 57 and too old for this, I have 2
daughters adopted from China, ages 8 and 3.5, and in addition to many other things
I wrote for them, I wrote about Vietnam and the lessons of life learned
there. Maybe writing your book helped you. I know writing mine helped me.
Terry (770-631-1856) I have just
finnished reading Chilckenhawlk and found it totally facinating. I
particularly like the way in which PTSD and the impact of conflict was
addressed in such a sensitive manner. For a person who has always been
interested in the Vietnam war and helicopter warfare this book was the
perfect read. Given that the book has only recently been relased in the UK it
would be interesting to know how the writer got on following his conviction
and time within prison. Perhaps the web site could provide info in relation
to this. Cheers, Craig Brown Dear Mr.
Mason, I just finished your book, Chickenhawk, the audio book version, 13
discs long.WOW. It is great. Many, many times I turned it off just so I could
pay attention to my driving. I didn't want to miss one word. I am a corporate
pilot and have flown with a few VET vets. None really talk much about their
experiences so your book helped a lot. Thank you very much for writting it
and thank you for your service. Sincerely, Vincent Smith I have just
finished reading Chickenhawk, and it's excellent (though I must admit it
ended rather abruptly and unexpectedly). I am a GySgt currently in Iraq, and
there is quite a bit of downtime so I was grateful for a good book to read. Dear sir, i
too have just read your book for the second time and will be purchasing the
updated one very shortly. I am a serving firefighter and also a trainee winch
operator for a new local SAR operation here in the Channel Islands. After
having done some of the coursework, which covered the principles of flight,
some of the mind bending stuff was easier to understand once i`d read your
book, so thanks for that. I take my hat off to you for your honest appraisal
of your time in Vietnam and also to thank you for sharing your time with
everyone who reads your book. I hope life is treating you and your wife
Patience well. Thank you once again, Mark. Mr. Mason - I
started reading your book 2-weeks ago and am now 250 pages into it. I do not
have time to read with all I have going on in my life right now (full time
job, night classes at the college, a baby on the way, and an electronics
business I run on the side as well as an electronics book I am trying to put
the finishing touches on), but I cannot help myself - your book is too hard
to put down...so I find myself sneaking time from my other obligations to try
to read every spare moment I have. You have given this world a treasure by
sharing your story. I am 30, so Vietnam was not even a memory for me it was
history, but you have brought an understanding of it that school never gave
me. Thank you, for the book, for your service, and for your enlightenment.
You make me very proud to call myself an American. When my son (who will be
born in November) is old enough, I will have him read your book too. So you
have not only enlightened my generation, but future generation as yet unborn!
Best Regards and with great respect, Carl Hi Bob, I've
had Chicken Hawk since 1984 when I was a fitter (A&P) in the RAAF on
hueys. I've read this book so many times I may have to get myself a new copy
as this one's falling to pieces :) I was wondering if you keep in touch with
any of the guys from your tour in vietnam? Have you returned to that country?
I hear it's a much different place now. Thanks again for writing Chickenhawk
and I'm very glad everything worked out for you, Best Regards Tony PS - do
you have any photos of Reacher? I can really relate to that guy having spent
quite a few years maintaining the good old H model UH-1. I read your
book Chickenhawk for my history of the vietnam war class and i must say that
it is one of the three best books i have ever read along with Lord of the
Flies and Animal Farm, i usually can not stand to read but this is one book
that i could not stop reading, and i actually stopped doing homework for all
other classes until i finished your book. Thank you for a fantastically well
written book The book is
superb, i bought it back in 1998 when i joined the RAF, the bok has now been
read for the fifth time, and i'm sure i'll rea in agian in 18 months time.
The book is so much better and far more addictive and gripping and than the
majority of books that have been written by pilots who survived vietnam. Your
book just has something more than the norm. Thanks for putting you experiance
and soul into the no holes bared book. It must have been hard to admit some
of the events knowing patiance would read the book. Best Regards Hi Bob ,
bought your book in 1987 while on holiday . To date have read it 7 times you
& all vets have my respect . Could go on but have to work its 3.35 am
working nights. Good luck Dear Sir, I've
just finished reading Chickenhawk for the second time and I have enjoyed it
all over again. It only just occurred to me that you might have a website and
I was pleased when I found it. The photo archives are excellent, they add
tanigble images to the places I had imagined from your descriptions. In the
book you refer to the gunships often, at that stage of the war were they
rocket equipped Hueys? or had the Cobra been introduced already? Aaron Great book.
Thanks for sharing your personal experiences. Not having served in the
military, I was seduced early in the book by the romantic notion of heroic
combat, and the excitement of flying. The grim realities that become clear as
the story unfolds is not a substitute for being there, but your writing is a
safer way for lucky people like me to maybe learn a lesson or two about war.
My best to you and your family. Dear Bob, I
first read your book in 88 as part of a project that I did at school. I've re-read
it many times since and just wanted to thank you for writing it. I have just
(today) received my fourth copy of the book from Amazon because no one I lend
the book to ever gives it back! that in itself to me is stark testimony to
your story telling skills. The last paragraph of the book still makes me want
to weep with frustration and I'm enormously glad that things worked out in
the end. Anyway just felt compelled to write to you. One day I will learn to
fly choppers! (I blame that on you!) Thanks Dunc. Dear Sir, Have
just recently finished reading 'Chickenhawk', i found it very hard to put
down! I'm currently a trainee Helicopter pilot and there have been many
valuable stories and lessons that i have gained personally from your book, i
have found it inspiring and so have the many other students and instructors
that have read it here aswell, my instructor told me that it should be
required reading material for every new helicopter pilot, I second that!!. Hello Bob,
Hope all is well with you I just read your book Chickenhawk again for the
second time. I read it first in 1984 while I was a young airman in the air
force at clark air base in the Phillipines working on CH-3 jolly greens and
C-130's, it really put the hook in me I became interested in helicopters and
the vietnam war I have read many books that have effected me allot your book
the most also five years to freedom, Bloods, About face, and Tim obrien I
forgot the name of his book. I spent a few years working on B-52s Have been
on hueys and old Cobras for 14 years good old birds old and reliable. I would
be honored to meet you Bob and show you some of my amature photography I shot
ieght rolls on a three hour snake flight once pretty cool love to share them
with you and have you critque me I have no one else my parents have checked
out your thoughts would mean the world. Best Regards, Art Hi my name is
Dylan and i live in New Zealand, I absolutly love your book, it is my
personal favorite. Since reading it first, I have researched into the Vietnam
War lots, I find it really interesting. The photos that you have on you site
are great, I always woundered what everything and one looked like. This is
just a thanks for writing your book. From Dylan R. Thank you very
much Robert for your honest account of the War (and your life) in
ChickenHawk. I have now to date read it 4 times and it will not be the last.
I will refrane form writing the obvious comments that so many good people
have written already about your book, and just say that coming from a country
that has seen it's share of conflict too, i would like to think i knew
something of this type of conflict.But i cannot. Your book and others ( About
Face: David h. Hackworth. Dispatches: Micheal herr. Nam: mark Baker ) have
educated me about this subject, and it has angered me to think that the ARMY
( and government of many countries) ar still treating THEIR boys as
disposable tools. It's time these( i hesate to use the word)people start
looking after the soldiers they send in harms way! With that said it is my
hope that other Veterans can come out to speak too and to read your story in
the hope of finding peace. thanks again and i look forward to reading more
books from your good self. take care of your self and your family and good
luck in what ever you turn to................ Bob, I just
read Chickenhawk for the second time while on vacation on the coast of Maine.
My well-worn copy has been read by several of my friends over the past ten
years (and caused some outright purchases of the book). Your classic account
of the harrowing and heroic deeds experienced by yourself and your
comrads-in-arms should be required reading in todays high schools. I was
amazed to re-read your incredible book with a new perspective now that I have
read "We were Soldiers" (twice) and "Rumor of War".
Looking at the same operations that took place in 1965 and 1966 from three
different author's (and ranks) perspectives was eye-openning. I was an
innocent 7 year old in 1965, who's father, uncles and grandfather were all
combat war veterans. In '65 my cousin was two years away from ground-pounding
in Southeast Asia, and came back one year later "very quiet" as my
uncle described. My older sister was anti-war, and with my father the WWII
vet and sister at the dinner table arguments became heated. I am about to
purchase the new version of the book with your photos. Thank-you for
everything you did and the sacrifices you made. I hope we learned from
Vietnam, but the way this new war is being waged, it seems like our boys are
again in harms way "without the proper armor for their Humvees"
etc. Please send an autographed copy of the book to our current President.
Your web site is great, I wish I found it earlier. Keep up the great work
that you and Patience have achieved. Hi Mr. Mason.
I'm a 31 year-old film and video editor from Dublin, Ireland. I first read
Chickenhawk in 1988 while on a family vacation. Films about the Vietnam War
that had been recently released at that time (Platoon, Full Metal Jacket,
Hamburger Hill etc) had sparked my interest in the conflict, so I bought your
book because I was also interested in aviation. I got halfway through it and
realised that about 70 pages were missing in the middle so I couldn't finish
it until I got home and exchanged it for a new copy!!! Anyway, I did finish
it and have read it many times since. Your honesty and down-to-earth writing
style was so refreshing and your descriptions on how to fly a Huey were
simplistic and informative. After reading the book I felt like I could fly a
chopper myself! I recently found my copy of the book (the one with all the
pages inact, of course) and read it again. I enjoyed it even more this time
around and was left wondering what you were up to. So needless to say, I was
delighted to discover that you had a website. I am glad you and your family
are well. And thank you for sharing your photos and slides with the world.
It's great to be able to put faces on some of the names in your book. I was
also thrilled to discover that you wrote a follow-up book and I have ordered
a copy and can't wait to read it. I have recommended Chickenhawk to countless
family and friends over the years and they have all enjoyed it immensely.
Very best wishes for the future and thank you again for putting pen to paper
and writing the finest book I have ever read and will no doubt continue to
enjoy again and again for many years to come. James Halford, Dublin, Ireland. An amazing
novel from an amazing era! There is so much to be said about the Vietnam War
- it was covered well at the time by the media but Robert's book tells the
real truth. I am only 26 and have had a curious fascination with the Vietnam
war for many years and have read first hand accounts and history books, I
believe Chickenhawk is great because there normaly so much emphasis on the
war from the ground looking down. I discovered this book by accident in a
charity shop for only 30p ( how many cents is that? ) and could not believe
my luck as I had no idea about its existence! After learning what Robert went
through I realised how easy life is for young people these days and also how
boring and unadventurous life can be. Living through hardship certainly gives
you a strength of character that can be gained in no other way. I would also
like to suggest other accounts which I believe would be beneficial to people
hungry for more - 'If I Die In A Combat Zone by Tim O'Brien', 'Dispatches by
Michael Herr' and 'The Cage-An Englishman In Vietnam by Tom Abraham'. I hope
many more British people read about the human tragedy in Vietnam. Bob, Just
finished your book "Chickenhawk" which the library put in a book
sale. Thanks for being painfully honest. Even though I volunteered in April
74 (Naval Photo Interpreter) I was stationed stateside. Your Epilogue reads
like a friend of mine who was a medical corpsman on a Huey in Nam. He's still
recovering and starting to write. I'm passing the book on to him. Maybe it'll
help him recover. I see him differently now. Thanks for writing your book.
Charles Maynard Hello
Mr.Mason-My husband read your book Chickenhawk recentally and was very
interested and moved by it.We,in the uk,do not know much about the Vietnam
war,so it was a truly different to read a first hand account of it.He is
really interested to know what happened to you afterleft the armed forces.He
is a welsh farmer and this was one of the first books that he has ever read
all the way through.He could not put it down.He would most appreciate a reply
from you.Yours truly.Sue Williams Hello Robert
Picked up Chickenhawk from a book fair last week and could not put it down
until the last page. Immediately search for Robert Mason and boom! all the
pix were there. Great to put the face to the name. While I was never in any
war, I could feel the tension, the pain and the anxiety of Robert as I
followed his year there. I have travelled to Vietnam many times since 1995
and it is hard to believe the pain and sufferings the country and people have
gone through. Too many people have lost their lives and innocence there. Was
it justifiable?? We do not need another war, not then and hopefully never.
Robert, a great book and one which I will read over and over again. YT Hey Bob,
Wonderful book. It really opened my eyes to the conflict in Vietnam. Thanks
again! I have just
finished (the original) Chickenhawk and it is one of the most engrossing
books I have read, but it also makes my heart heavy by reminding me of the
shabby treatment we all meted out so unfairly to Viet vets across the world.
I wish we could turn back the clock, but then I also wish we would stop
having wars. At this time the U.S. has lost about 1800 of someone's children
in Iraq, and for what..............? I'll keep this
as short as I can. Chickenhawk is one of the best books I have ever read. I
see a natural talent for describing technical detail, coupled with depth of
writing from an intelligent and decent man. On my third copy now, I feel like
I know you and your old crew. The photos on your website have been a
revelation. Best wishes to you and Patience for the future - let me know if
you ever come to the UK and I will move heaven and earth to buy you a pint!
Regards, Ash Bob, I was
wondering what happend in your life after the book Chickenhawk! Can you
provide me with an up-date? I just read the book and related to your
challenges in life. Funny how life deals us cards and we all deal with them
different. I started as a grunt in 1970 with orders for Vetnam but things
were happing in my life different than yours, I never went due to a stange
set of events but ended up in Pam Mun Jom Korea as an MP....... Who's driving
the this bus? I hope to here what happpened after 1983? It looks good !! but
the details would be nice. Thanks, Jack Caswell Hi Robert. Are
there any others in the pipeline??? I first found out about Chickenhawk
whilst searching on the net for information on flying helicopters (not that I
can afford to do this mind!). I stumbled across a website suggesting a read
of Chickenhawk. When I found that this book was a true account of a
helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, I ordered a copy straight away. Having
an interest in the Vietnam War since a child (probably a rather glamorised
interest), an interest in helicopters, this coupled with an unwillingness to
read fiction, Chickenhawk seemed perfect....and it was. My glamorised view of
the Vietnam War was soon put to shame. I felt rather like an idiot. Reading
this book really opened my eyes to what it must be like being sent away to
fight for your country. I still dont like to hear people slate the Americans
for going into Vietnam. It is far too easy for people to blindly say it was
wrong. It is in our human nature to fight for what we believe in. I am not in
a position to comment on this war (although I think I just have), that should
be left to those who made the decision to fight, and to those that did the
fighting, American and Vietnamese. After reading Chickenhawk, I then went on
to read Chickenhawk, Back in the world. Wow! I really enjoyed reading this
one. My old attitude of 'lock up and throw away the key' for drug traffickers
has now been reluctantly disbanded. It made me realise that decent people can
get caught up in unfortunate situations. Next was Weapon. Probably the first
fiction book I have ever read from cover to cover. I also enjoyed reading
this one. I come from a Computer Science / Technology education background
(sounds rather geeky, but I promise I am not that bad). I have always been
interested in Robots, and technology in general, so again Weapon was really
appealing, and a damn good story. When I found that there was a sequel, I was
chuffed. So now I am about three quarters of the way through Solo, which is
just getting better and better. I am taking my time, knowing that there will
be nothing to go on to read. I have a solution; I am going to read
Chickenhawk again!! Regards, Mike. Bury St Emunds, Suffolk, UK. I listened to
Chickenhawk as a "book on tape." Now I'm going to read it. Amazing
number of parallels to Catch 22. You qualify as one of the greatest
generation in my book. Glad to see you are doing well. Mr. Mason.like
so many others I am glad to see that you have indeed had a happy ending.I
hail from South Africa and am only 26 years of age,but I am truly fascinated
by helicopters.The huey will always be a legend to me as will yourself and
your many fellow veterans, you guys are truly amazing pilots.The Viet Nam war
to some of us is about movies and shooting ,but I am glad that a book such as
yours can show us the reality and horror of war and give us some truths
surrounding our fantasies.I would just like to say thank you for being an
inspiration to fly helicopters as it is tremendously expensive here in South
Africa to train on them but with stories like yours we keep going.I am truly
happy for you that things worked out well and I would love to meet you one
day to hear some more stories Mr Mason I
first read Chickenhawk along with The 13th Valley back in 1985 or 86.
Chickenhawk was and is a real page turner. I found it quite disturbing to
read of a war I hitherto knew very little about. Also, to read of the after
effects of your involvement in Viet Nam and your incarceration stayed in my
memory for a long time. At that time I thought I could understand it. Almost
twenty years later as a services professional over here I found myself
incarcerated. I was informed that I too was suffering from PTSD. When my 12
yr old daughter, who, prior to this setback, earnestly believed her daddy sat
on he right hand side of God himself, asked me what happened; I sat her down over
three days and gave her some of the harrowing accounts of my time in service.
To this day only a month or so after my release, I do not know whether I did
the right thing. When I explained myself to her, the book I read twenty years
earlier came to mind as a possible analogy. Certainly the experiences were
different but the outcome; at least from the first original book, is rather
similar. I went to my local bookstore thinking I would never find your book,
however, their it was! I have presented it as a gift to my daughter who
already treasures it. It doesnt excuse her fathers behaviour, but it does
help to explain it....Thank you very much. Just finished
reading "Chickenhawk" and hit the net to find out what has happened
to Mr. Mason. My copy was an old one and the last word was about being up for
hauling weed across the border. Enjoyed the book immensely. I am a Vet from
the 17th CAG in Nha Trang for the year of 1969. Was interesting to get
perspective from the early years. For your info I have just published a book
on my year there. No harrowing tales to tell like Mr. Mason's but a
reflection of rear area perspective. The book is entitled 'REMF "War
Stories" 17th CAG - Nha Trang, Vietnam - 1969. It is available at majors
via internet right now but better price is on lulu.com. Intend to get
"Weapon" as soon as time allows and read it. Thanks to Mr. Mason
for your service and the book. I recently
finished Chickenhawk and absolutely loved it. I couldn't put the book down. I
felt ike I was there. Much thanks to Mr. Mason 1st of all for your service to
our country (Same goes for all the other Vietnam Vets who may see this post.)
Thanks also for writing this terrific book which has helped me and so many
others who were born after the war ended to better understand some of what
went on in Vietnam. have read
chickenhawk,the older version,many times.being 36 far to young to have
experienced the war luckily. your book is a brilliant piece of writing. im
not really into vietnam stories but yours is written with such enthusiasm
humour and descrption that it has made me want to go out and get my
helicopter pilots licence every time i read it. weapon is also a very good
read and im in the process of trying to locate a copy of solo. good writing
bob. tony bauer..... I just
finished reading your book today and I can honestly say that your book is
like no other. I have read many personal account novels on the Vietnam War
and your's is one that really hits home for me. Your honesty humbles me and
your emotions at the time really show through in your writing. Your have my
deepest respect for what your did in Vietnam and for sharing it afterwords.
Goodluck in the future. Mr. Mason, I'm
reading "ChickenHawk" now for the umpteenth time. It gets to me
every time. I was a UH-1 Crew Chief with the 201st Aviation Co. (Corps)
"Red Barons" in Nha Trang from Aug 71-Aug 72. I eventually retired
from the Navy Reserve as a CPO in April, 2001 with 24 years of service.
"ChickenHawk" and "CWII" (I've forgotten the author's
name) are the 2 best books I have read concerning Vietnam. I could smell Lane
AHP through your book. Tuy Hoa, Mang Yang Pass, the buried Frenchmen, Quin
Nhon, Pleiku, Kontoum, Da Lat, Cam Ranh Bay all came back to life for me.
Everyone I have loaned or given the book to has come up to me and said,
"Woah, what a book, what an ending, I hope he's OK now." I am glad
to see you are home and have "recoverd" much better than could have
been expected when you were in your low period. I flew with some like you and
would have been honored to Crew for you though I doubt I would have survived!
Thanks for your service, thanks for your writing. Welcome home! Dave Hi Bob,
Greetings from a near-by neigbor in Jasper Florida, and Vietnam vet. I still
have the paperback copy of "Chickenhawk" that I bought in 1985. I
was surfing the net and came across your site. I spent the next 30 minutes
looking in my bookshelves for your book. I had recently seen it there. I
found it and read it again. It was even better the second time around. Having
being a crewchief, made the book even more personal. Looking at the photo's
posted on your site cause me to dig out my one and only album of my war-time
experience, and relive old memories and friends. Last year I sat 6 of my 7
grandkids down and showed them the album, and told them about Vietnam, something
I had nevered shared with my children. When they saw what I was doing they
joined in. I'll forget what my oldest daughter Missy said. "Daddy, I'm
glad you did that. This is our family history, its our past too, and we need
to know about it." I have come to believe that she is right. I am now
planing to take the album to our next family reunion, and have encouraged my
cousins to do the same. I remember what one writer wrote in a book that I
read in high school. He said something like this, "How will we know it's
us without our past." Anyway, I just wanted to share this with you, and
let you know that I love your site...David Mr Mason, I'm
32. I live in the UK. I have never experienced war, or even great hardship.
Your book was fantastic. I bought it in a yard sale, and thought I might read
it one day, maybe. I opened the book, and read it all the way through.
Totally absorbing, and a welcome diversion from the glorification,
politicalization and one-sidedness of much about Vietnam in mainstream films,
documentaries and literature. I have one of the first editions from 1984 and
so don't have the updated afterword. I only hope that you are experiencing
the happiness and peace of mind that you deserve. I have suffered anxiety,
depression and alcoholism in the past, for no identifiable reason. I wouldn't
compare my strength to yours but I don't think people understand fully the horrific
nature of thinking you've gone nuts and trying to block out the fear with
beer. To overcome this is a mighty achievement for anyone, and I managed it,
as did you. It was a horrible period in my life but I feel it has made me a
much stronger person than most. That you also went through the remarkable
experience in the farce that was the Vietnam war makes you a remarkable
individual. Thank you for the pleasure you have brought me through your
decision to document it. All the best Bob, I
contacted you ten years ago, was thrilled with your book and your kind
response, now I am flying 205 in Ontario and just wanted to check in. I think
I am almost close to having enough information for a book myself with my
experiences hahhah...ofcourse everyone seems to be writing about their lives
now. So, write me when you have a chance, I have no combat experience yet
being a Canadian (English descent) and I look forward to your response. By
the way, your first book was a life altering experience!! Believe it or not,
it's true. Best Regards and I hope to meet you sometime Bob. Wayne Keizer PS
I fly for Superior Helicopters based in Longlac, Ontario....if you ever
venture up here we will be most welcome. "Chickenhawk"
was an inspiration to me as a conscientious objector against South Africa's
illegal occupation of Namibia and southern Angola and the deployment of the
army in the townships to quell protests during the 1980s and early '90s. The
title summed up my ambivalence about being an objector - feeling both brave
to be making a stand against a perceived injustice, but also deep inside
worrying that I might just be "chickening out", not to mention
terrified of the consequences (six years in prison if I had been caught).
Since then, I have learnt to fly sailplanes and light aircraft (unfortunately
not yet helicopters though). I have just finished reading the book again
about 20 years later and am again inspired by the courage, wisdom and
compassion that shines from every page. It is a truely remarkable account. I
searched the Internet to find out what happened to you after the poignant
ending. I'm pleased to see that, despite everythng you went through during
and after the war, things seem to have eventually worked out alright for you
and Patience. I salute you both, and wish you well. Hi Bob, I
found Chickenhawk on my husbands bookshelf and sat down and read it in a day.
I could not put it down. I have read several books about Vietnam, this one
was so real, and so honest. I want to thank you for your service to our
country. It is such a shame that so many people disrespect our men and women
for the sacrifices they make to protect us. Thank you again for such a great
book and I look forward to recieving one with pictures. Amy, Wasilla, AK God almighty,
Bob, I don"t know you ,But like so many Nam vets your book Chickenhawk,
sure hit home for me. I served with 2nd Plt 15th engrs Co. 299th CBt engrs,
attached off & on to the 173rd & the 4th ID. Did alot of traveling
around in the Dak To ,Ben Het area & later in the An Loa Valley ( you
know) near Bongson. We were slicked out a few times in Dak To up to hill 875
to distroy left munitions with the 229th but most of our flying was by the
Gambeling Guns. ( My memory is a little fuzzy)LOL.I remember one incident in
the An Loa ,with the herd . Our mine sweep hit a 155mm booby trapped round on
the ride back to LZ English,after we had swept the road.( those damm Army
mine sweepers) ,( home of the 173rd in 69). A 229th slick ,( belive it or not,took
10 wounded friends of mine to B- Med at English. That pilot was something.
Saved some lives that day.Anyway ,when I came home & for 30 odd years I
didn't deal with the war too well, Like you. Same ol Same ol. Finally got
some help from the VA. PTSD, WHATS THAT??Well any way I wept a lot reading
your book, Just remembering. My shrink says its good to cry. I don't know.
Was realy worth reading. You done good.You know I was proud as a PFC to go in
69 & am still proud of the fact that I did my duty. Jay Hello Mr
Mason, I just finished Chickenhawk the latest edition. Many thanks for
writing such a GREAT book!! I really enjoyed it, no doubt that I will re-read
this book in the future many times. Great to see photos in the book too. So
far the best book I've read about Vietnam. Again many thanks and all the best
to you and your family and to those who served and are still serving for our
freedom! Jeroen from Holland A great read,
Robert. I just finished another outstanding Vietnam reader, the short title
of which is "Patriots." How fast times change. On the AP wire today
was a story about the Vietnamese leadership visiting the U.S. to buy a few
airliners and such. Sincerely, Alan Gregory Lt. Col (Retired), USAF Hi...I was
just now watching a program on the military channel, and I'm moved to write
to find out if any of you might have any information on my older brother (I
was in kindergarten or first grade at the time my mom was visited by army
guys who told her Terrance had died). I have vague memories of his funeral -
I remember going to pick up spent shells that were left on the lawn after
guys shot into the air. He was buried in southern California on my mom's
birthday (2/14). He was in the 101st and 82nd. He volunteered. His name is
Terrance Feigenbutz. Can you help, or point me somewhere to know? Thanks...
An unknowing brother who wants to know... Andrew Hi Bob - I
dont know why I picked your book up but am very glad I did. Im half
Palestinian, half English so have no connections with Vietnam at all. Reading
your book was like a smack in the face. It was just the way that you got on
with life in a horrific environment that really got me. Your trying your best
to stay alive when everyone else is getting nailed. Your humane approach also
showed me that not everyone wanted to be involved in the mindless killing in
Vietnam. I could never have done what you did - your a true hero who had to
deal with a lot of wrong. I hope you are well and have a truly deserved good
life away from the nightmare that was Vietnam. Thanks, Anwar Dear Mr.Mason
, On Chickenhawk, I laughed with you , took every flight , cried with you ,
felt the adrenaline rush , and the crushing hopelesness of the losses you
encountered. The world can only be made a better place by men like you , who
not only have the courage to undertake that which he believed was true and
right, but then to share those experiences with the rest of us , takes a
brave man , of which i am eternally greatful. With the greatest respect,
Gareth Johns Hi Bob, Over
the past ten years I have bought several copies of your book Chickenhawk.
Each time I reread it and then pass it along to someone to enjoy. Currently
my 21 year old son is reading it. I love the way you write. Chickenhawk
transformed the way I viewed the war. I have read many books on Viet Nam but
yours was the most memorable and influential. A couple of days ago I was
visiting a favorite bookstore and found Back In the World, I was thrilled to
find you again. I am happy to know that you and Patience are together. She is
an amazing partner. How is Jack? I admire you greatly, not only for your
skill and heroic service in Viet Nam but your superb talent as a storyteller.
Best Wishes always, Mary Hello Bob,
Best wishes from this part of the U.K. I got into your book 'Chickenhawk' via
www.copters.com where it is recommended. I enjoyed the book very much, and it
has stimulated me to try and do our PPL(H). I just have a private pilots
license for light singles at the moment. I would have liked to know what
happened to Leese. I was in our Falkands War as a doctor (triage officer) in
1982, and I remember vividly the thudding of our light helicopters delivering
casualties to our door day and night, - this latter was before NVG's and I
never knew how the pilots managed in the blackness. A lot of our guys owed
their lives to this speedy medevac. As a doc I sympathize with your bad PTSD
and wish we had more to offer. I hope it's better now. Best wishes Peter Dear Bob: I am
a veteran of the Army of '68-'70. What memories you brought back to me. I was
a medical platoon leader in the infantry..yes, it seems like light years
ago..but once I was a soldier and young. Your book brought back images of
long ago friends still forever young and vital in my mind. At night with each
reading I would lay your book down and the memories would come flooding and
crashing in...the sounds, the smells, the voices..they were all there. For me
it was the "best of times..the worst of times" and forever
imprinted on my mind. Thank you so much for your wonderful book
"Chickenhawk". It was so very good for my soul. Best Wishes, Don
Brizzolara Mr. Mason, I
would like first to thank you for your service. I had a partner at the
firehouse that was a crew chief of a slick in Viet Nam, Roger K. I am far too
young to have been involved in that, but I did pick up your book in 1985 and
loved it. When I became a firefighetr paramedic and got my new (old) partner
Roger and found out about his service we were able to talk about your book as
he read it many times as well. I just got through reading that very copy
again and I finally read the last few pages. Or perhaps, understood more,
what you went through after your return. My partner and I were on duty the
day the first troops arrived home from Desert Storm. The big news coverage
and parades and bands and happy laughing people waving to all the solders. I
looked at my partner, and could see both anger and hate building in him
before he stormed out of the station. After a day or two I asked him what he
was upset about, and he proceeded to tell me of the return he got. Much the
same as yours was, there was nothing I could do or say to make that feeling
leave him. For Roger and you Mr. Mason as well as all the other service
men&women; of Viet Nam, I am sorry that our country treated as it did
when you returned. I saw how it hurt firsthand, and I will never pass a
serviceman again without saying "Thankyou, from the bottom of my
heart" Larry McKenna Mr. Mason, I
just finished Chickenhawk on tape as I drove down the highway. I am a
telephone technician and drive often for work. I must say that I couldn't
wait to get up in the morning to hear your book as I drove down the road.
Sometimes I'd get home and my wife would wonder what I was doing sitting out
in the van. Thank-you so very much for serving in Vietnam. I will think of
brave men like yourself when the whole parade route stands as the Vietnam
vets march by. My wife laughs at me now when I tell her not to get in the
rotor wash as I mow the yard. I love to hear the whoop sound of hueys and
blackhawks flying over my house. May God richly bless you, Patience, and your
family. I hope you are a Christian so that I can meet you one day in heaven.
I plan on buying your illustrated book asap. Hello Mr
Mason, I recently found your book Chickenhawk in the library and am currently
three quarters way through it. I am an ex infantryman, served in 1st
Battalion Welsh Guards and identify with the general banter, comradeship,
sense of humour etc that is second to none in the Armed Forces. A great book.
(Please keep this bit to yourself: We would be pleased to see you drop in to
our Regimental website WWW.welshguardsonline.co.uk if you ever have the time,
you would be most welcome) with the comradeship, general banter and sense of
humour of you and your comrades i just read
Chickenhawk... wow I'm 16 years old and found found it just in a bookstore
near my house. I got it for no reason in particular and it spent about a year
on my shelf before i got round to reading it... I picked it up about 4 days ago
and just finished it. It would be the most amazing book i have ever read! It
just showed me what really went on in vietnam and taught me so much about it.
I'm so glad that you are alright now - i read the last page and was
speechless! Thank you so much for putting your experiences down on paper...
It was truly amazing. God bless you Hi Bob, Just
wanted to say thanks for writing Chickenhawk and Chickenhawk Back In The
World. I read the former a couple of years ago and was disappointed that I
couldn't find a copy of the latter since it's now out of print. However, I
finally came across a copy last week and am having a hard time putting it
down. Great writing! My only complaint is that I'm going to finish it far too
quickly. Any chance you'll write a Chickenhawk Growing Old Gracefully? (ha
ha) I have just
finished reading 'Chickenhawk' and I must say it was honour to read it. It
was loaned to me a Australian Navy colleague who flew HU1s with the US Army's
135th AHC in Vietnam around 1968. My reaction to the book was something like
'Christ, how could anyone come out of that unscarred. I wonder what happened
to Mason?'. I was very pleased to track down your website and find that you
have made it through. Now my ebay search for the next installment starts.
Sincerely, Dave. Hello Mr
Mason, I first read chickenhawk ten years ago and have read it again many
times since. I have laughed out loud, quivered with rage and shed some tears
over a space of 20 pages. We had our own bush war here in Southern Africa for
a long while and a lot of the stories from Vietnam relate to our situation in
Angola and Namibia. I hope that your experiences are not being repeated in
Iraq, probably are though cos you can't change a politicians hue! Cheers Bob Greetings from
Minnesota, Bob. I wanted to add my thanks to you and your fellow servicemen
for your efforts in Vietnam, as well as other wars. They will not be
forgotten. So many of our fellow Americans don't realize freedom isn't free.
Thanks also for writing "Chickenhawk." I rediscovered my old,
tattered copy after a recent move, and I'm enjoying your book all over again
(as well as the new photos online). I, too, yearn for flight, and I became an
instructor in fixed-wing aircraft a couple of years ago. Take care, and best
wishes to you and yours... Can any one
help. My son is reading Chickenhawk at present and is on page 376. He has
just realised that part of the last page is missing.It looks like there are
only a few lines. The last sentence on page 398 finishes with "free time
it would give me for writing" Would some one please send me the last
paragraph. He is doing exams very soon and it would be a great surprise if I
could find this for him. Thanks in advance Hey I just finished
reading chickenhawk, and it is the greatest war book I have ever read. Mason,
you are now added to my list of heros along with people like Chuck Carlock
and Ed Ramisus. Great Job! Dear Mr Mason.
I have ten minutes before I have to go to my next class. Just wanted to say,
and wanted to say for some time. Your book has been an inspiration to me. Not
just in the courage it portrays, but in how sometimes the events of life, be
they good or bad can lead us to act or behave in ways we never would have
otherwise. I too was caught up in the illusion of drugs and the promises they
offered. I am now studying full time science education in Australia, and life
is going much better. Your book is not fully responcible for this. But
thankyou for sharing you story, and the inspiration it gave me. Yours
sincerely Alexander Ray Hello Mr
Mason!, First read Chickenhawk in 1984 and have bought half a dozen copies
for friends and relatives over the years - It's still the best book I've ever
read. I've heard the sound of a Huey twice, one in Edinburgh and one in
Washington DC...you're right, how could anyone be surprised by a flight of
Hueys :o), Great sound though. A movie by Ridley Scott would be a dream come
true. All the Best, Alan Bob, You were
at Wolters and the instructor of my class mate. We only flew together once
during that period. I treasure the signed copies of your books that you
signed when we met in Detroit several yeays ago. Chickenhawk brings back many
memories both good and bad. I will always keep that book for my
grandchilderen to read and discuss. Ray Klett Grandpa & Grandma Ray &
Celeste Full time in our Travel Supreme MH With the Wrangler riding in a
trailer FMCA, SKPs, Good Sam, Datastorm Location #1604, 91W - 6000 Hello Mr.
Mason, I'm a 17 year old junior who plans to go into the Army or Navy in the
field of helicopters. I checked out the book from the school library about a
month ago, and I have to say your book is probably the best book I have ever
read. My dad worked on Hueys 70-72, and I love learning and reading about
them. I really don't know what to say but, thank you for sharing your
experiences in Vietnam with the world. I look forward to re-reading it, and
buying your illustrated copy and maybe some pictures, Thank you once again,
-Jared Benes Hi Bob,
Chickenhawk is a fantastic book. Endurance and courage in the face of danger
is inspiring whatever the cause. Distressing and hilarious its incredible.
Will humans ever learn? Bob, Thanks
for a great book in Chickenhawk. I had always wanted to fly helicopters and
your excellent descriptions of learning to fly were inspirational. I even,
unintentionally, ended up being taught by an ex-British Army
Instructor/Examiner who taught me by sheer disappointment. My lasting memory
of getting something wrong is of him saying " Oh Nigel, ----------"
and rocking gently sideways when I failed to maintain a constant heading.
Having only expeienced the war, as many others have, through the medium of
television during the 1960's and early 70's, I found your descriptions of the
horrors of war truly moving. Once again thanks. Nigel All the best Dear Robert
Mason, I just read the whole book which is in Chinese version, your book is
so shocking and attracive. Iread it in three days without a stop. It tells us
the feeling of a real soldier and share the feeling deep inside. You are
right sir, the Vietnam war is a tradegy for every one....... the scholar who
developed the theory of "Domino" in South East Asia should be
blamed...... Thank you for your frankly writing, I think if the media frankly
like you , they would not lost our trust and respect. May God bless you and
your dear wife and family. Jimmy a Chinese teacher from Hong Kong Have just
finished reading GENERATION KILL by Evan Wright and his time with a recon
marine unit in Iraq (very good) which prompted me to get on the net &
find USMC& one thing leads to another & ended up at your site. Would
like to say that CHICKENHAWK was the first book i ever sat down to seriously
read (1984) and have kept going back to read it numerous times since . (Am on
my 9th copy) Although it is an enjoyable read your compelling descriptions of
what you saw & felt,puts the reader into a state of mind where he too can
almost feel the emotions that you so well describe at any given point of the
book. Is there any possibillity of a film ever to be scripted ? Many thanks
for a book well written & wish you luck in whatever the future holds for
you. marcus Hi Bob, We had
a few breakfasts and dinners together at Eglin. Finally got another copy of
Chickenhawk to give to my boss. He read it in college. Told him we spent some
time together, he could hardly believe me.....Good luck on your new and
future books... I'll tell Lamar I sent you an e-mail........John Dear Bob,
Greetings from a fellow Floridian who lives now in SE Asia. (I was born and
raised in the Tampa Bay area). I'm a missionary pastor of an international
church in Kuala Lumpur; been here seven years with my wife and two daughters.
We just came back from a trip to Saigon where I was given a copy of
Chickenhawk by an Australian friend who lives there. Just finished the book
last night. Like so many, I just want to say 'thanks' for serving your
country and sharing your story. I'm glad to know that, not only did you make
it back home, but you made it through the dark valley of depression afterwards.
Just sorry it took such a toll on you and your family. In 1979 I was a Univ
of Florida Air Force ROTC cadet hoping and planning to fly the F16. God
intervened, however, and in 1981, I responded to a "higher
calling". I've been a pastor and missionary ever since. (My wife is an
FSU graduate and a school teacher.) We attended seminary in Fort Worth, TX
and stayed in that area for 12 years. Thanks again for your book -- and the
photos. I will be sharing with others. Wishing you the best, Todd Nelson
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Congratulations
on the new "Illustrated Version of Chickenhawk"...the additional
info and more pictures will get everyone reading it again for the 3rd, 5th,
10th times. I know this was alot of work for you and I just wanted to let you
know how apprecated you are, and how much of an inspiration you are to so
many. Thank you for all you have done my friend. See you in Melbourne soon.
Love & Hugs Thanks Bob, I
have read your book Chickenhawk several times and enjoy it every time. Thanks
for your service. Bob, I just
finished your original Chickenhawk. Like everyone else, I am appreciative of
your service to our country, at what obviously was a great cost to you
personally. I have two sons who are military Helicopter Pilots. My son Jared
has just finished his second tour of Iraq. He is a Blackhawk medevac pilot.
He already has his orders to return in November for his third tour of duty
there. My next youngest Kelly is just entering pilot training in the next
couple of months. Looks like he will be flying a Blackhawk or an Apache for
the Utah guard unit 211th. I just wanted to tell you thanks for your service,
and for writing your books, and sharing your experiences with us all. Chuck. Great book,
Bob. I always wanted to fly helicopters since I was a kid, but fate stopped
me from doing so, via an accident which caused my spleen to be removed..then
my eyesight went! Still I was amazed at the detail even from the start - I'm
pretty sure you can teach people to fly choppers just from that :) PS: Good
fortune to all those in Iraq right now (or anywhere else for that matter) Greetings from
the top of the world Mr. MASON. Your book is a great pleasure to read, and
although it is before my time, I never tire of reading it or studying the
pictures of the cockpit in the Huey. Take care, from a fan North of 60. Hi Bob..I
recently saw a picture of a soldier in Iraq taking some down time. I noticed
he was Reading Chickenhawk! You have done the world a great service my
friend. Hope to see you guys soon in Melbourne. Love & Hugs Phew. Just
finished 'Chickenhawk' a few minutes ago and was so pleased to find your
website, and photography, and other books. Best wishes. I just
finished reading ChickenHawk. My uncle Mike whom I was named after died in
Vietnam on his second tour, he was a Green Beret. I served in the Navy and
went to Bosnia. I can't imagine going through everything you had to go
through. Wish you well. Just finished
reading Chickenhawk. It is a great book because it doesn't look back with
hindsight but shares the feelings you had at the time. It's great to find
your web site and discover you are still promoting your material and selling
fantastic photographs. All the best Simon I've just read
Chickenhawk and thoroughly enjoyed (if that is the right word) so honest an
account. Obviously I now want to know what happened next, so I'll be loooking
for those other books. I first read
Chickenhawk several years ago-great book, in fact I read it a couple of
times. I liked it so well I decided to share it with a friend. He must have
really liked it cause I never got it back! Watching "We were
Soldiers" reminded me of your book so I thought I'd get on the net and
see if I could find any info to see how you were doing. Thanks for sharing
your experiences and most of all Thanks for your service to your country. An hour ago, I
finished reading Chickenhawk, loaned to me by a friend who loves books,
movies, photos...of planes and helicopters. Your autobiographical account of
what you experienced is by far much better than any of the Hollywood
attempts, where the hero wins and the bad guys die, that I've watched on
television. You showed that in war, as well as real life, it is not clear who
the villian is and whether or not intruding on others lives is in their best
interest. I struggle with this concept constantly and you have helped shape
my thoughts on our nation's global intrusions. Your attention to detail and
your honesty (of your successes and failures) have made me want to read more
of your works...Thank you. Hi Robert, I
just wanted to thank you for your fine piece of work, Chickenhawk. It is a
book that truly involves the reader, I myself read it the first time just
after it was published, my intitial interest was just that of someone
interested at that time in helicopters, but in a few pages I was drawn into
the story of a young life and all the humour and tragedy and fear and
confusion experienced by yourself and tens of thousands of other Americans of
your generation. You have a tremendous narrative gift, if I may say so, and I
believe that your artistry will have gone a long way to showing those of us
not there exactly what young Amercicans like yourself were put through so
very far from home. [ by the way, the dry sardonic exchanges in the cockpit
are amongst the funniest Ive read , paradoxically enough]. On a personal
note, your epilogue was quite open ended back in the 80's edition, Im glad
that your life has steered back on course, and Im very sorry to hear about
your friend Don Reynolds. Best regards. Andy Saville. Dear Robert,
just a note to say thanks for sharing your experiences in vietnam with us
through the fantastic book"chickenhawk" i have it about ten years
and i find myself returning to it every few months and always enjoy the
story. Along with micheal durants "in the company of heros" it is
my favorite read. Thanks again from a fan from ashford,county
wicklow,IRELAND. Paul Cullen Ashford House Public House Main Street Ashford
County Wicklow Republic of Ireland Thank you for
writing such open, truthful and frank book about your times in Vietnam.
Although I am from England and was not even born when you served in Vietnam.
I have a great fascination with the Vietnam War and in particular the
aviators. I have read your book several times now and I never tire of it.
Just found your photos and they have helped put faces to names. Once again
thank you for writing a masterpiece. Bob: After
perusing your guestbook, it appears that reading CHICKENHAWK more than once
is the accepted norm; I have now joined that rank. I first read your book in
1985 on the recommendation of a friend who was a medic. To quote him: "You
gotta read this, Pete!" I was well advised. You've been through a lot,
as many of us have, but if we do anything with our lives, it would be enough
to know that we have improved the quality someone else's life. To that end
you're a smashing success. CHICKENHAWK helped me validate my own feelings
about the whole Vietnam thing. I'm sure it has done the same for many others.
Thanks! P.S. That little GE was the best damned engine ever made. Robert, your
book "Chickenhawk" is just great. Over the last 6 years I've read
it 3 times and every time its like a new experiance for me. Glad I found the
web site so that I can place pictures with faces. I would only suggest that
you place more info per photo, as to where it was taken, what is going on in
the picture and so on and maybe what part of the book it relates to. Are
there any group photos of all of you that played out "Chickenhawk"?
I have not read the sequel to Chickenhawk but would do so if I can find a
copy in South Africa. it was nice to
find a new print of chickenhawk...i read it first in 1987 as a sophmore in
H.S....my dad (another vietnam helicopter pilot) recieved it for christmas
and gave it to me since he hates reading and talking about the war. i did a
book report on it for english lit. and had a "unusal choice for a 15
year old" written under my grade. like i said, i was glad to find a new
print to read last fall. it had an even bigger impression on me the second
time as a 33 year old fixed wing CFII/MEI. mr.mason, you need to do a screen
play of the book and send it to the studios in CA. im glad i found your
website. sincerly, wes parker 0 + Coral
Springs, FL USA - Friday, March 18, 2005 at 12:31:30 (EST)what happened to
leese. my son is
serving in Iraq, with the National Guards..this is his second tour there.. He
called last weekend, and believe it or not, requested a copy of your book
chickenhawk! trying to find a copy.....but thank you! your helping somehow
through your book. God Bless you Gidday mate,
id just like to say what an awesome book chickenhawk is . ive read it 5 times
already and just bought it 4 a mates birthday. hes finished reading it n its
been awile since ive read it so ive borrowed it n am reading it again. I read
alot of books by many authors, but the way in which u wrote chicken hawk is untouchable.
I spent 9 yrs in the nz army in armoured so alot of books in rregard to
military are not quite there somehow, but yours is one of the few which was
in the zone so to speak. A movie needs to be made. I cant find flightline
anywhere, but chickenhawk definatley needs to be a movie. But an hour n a
half wouldnt do it justice.Plus there is only a handful of directors that I
would trust to do the job without losing sight of the whole story and
throwing in too much hollywood bulshit, (excuse the language). Whenever I
read it I feel like Im there with you every step of the way. Ive been out of
the army for 5 yrs now, but I thought I would share alittle storey with you.
Quite a few years ago there was a cyclone on the east coast. Some of our boys
went as part of the clean up , n I wasnt there but the storey goes, a couple
of the lads came across a helecopter in a barn in the country. This lad of
course had read your book n was quite intrigued to see if he push some
buttons n flick some switches n see what would happen. Nothing seemed to
happen immediatly, but then hey presto, time to get the fick out of there. A
couple of sly winks n nods n mums the word. Luckily had not been drinking
otherwise might have gone a step to far. Anyway enough of that dribble. Just
thought I would drop you aline n say gidday. Hope you n the family are well ,
n back to chicken hawk kind regards adrian I have adopted
a missing American Hero, his Name: Wilfredo D. Singson Rank/Branch: US Marine
Corps Unit: -/- Date of Birth: -/- Home City of Record: -/- Date of Loss: 28
January 1968 Country of Loss: South Vietnam Loss Coordinates: -/- Status (in
1973): AWOL Category: -/- Acft/Vehicle/Ground: Ground Refno: -/- Other
Personnel in Incident: (none missing) REMARKS: NOT ON OFFICIAL LISTS. For
instance, the Marine Corps does not maintain a missing fileon Wilfredo D.
Singson, reported missing January 28, 1968. Although he did not appear on
1973 lists, in 1980, the Defense Department listed Singson as AWOL - Absent
Without Leave. His story and his fate are unknown. All this sounds
"unbelievable" to me! If someone who read this and can help to
bring light into the darkness of Wilfredo Singersons military existence,
please be kind to contact me. There MUST be someone who knew him, from
Bootcamp, same Unit, Division, or Platoon. EVERY INFORMATION WILL BE
APPRECIATED! Thank you in advance, "SEMPER FI" I purchased a
copy of Chickenhawk while travelling throught the US en route to Latin
America. While there, I had the mildly "interesting" experience to
spend three hours in the back of a van looking down a gun barrel - rather
less unsatisfactory was the fact that the wonderful gentlemen involved also
found it necessary to relieve me of my copy of the book. After spending some
time trying to find another copy, it would appear that they perhaps had
better taste than I originally believed - Chickenhawk is without a doubt one
the best books I have ever read and despite several readings, it has lost
none of its appeal. When I found the web-site, I had to have a look to see
how things turned out. It's great to see the photos to put faces to the
names. Thansk for the great read. Hi Bob, Just
finished looking over your web site. Your book was so real to me I felt as
though I was there in the cockpit with you. Many times I wondered what became
of the others you flew with - did Kaiser stay in SE Asia with Air America,
did Rubinski ever pull off a big crime, who is still alive, who stayed in
aviation, who led normal lives back home. I am sure many others would like
some of the blanks fill in - perhaps you might get time to expand your web
site to answer some of these questions. About 2 years ago, I visited Vietnam
to see the places you described so eloquently. I hired a bike and rider and
toured from Qui Nhon and travelled up through An Khe, Pleiku and Kontum. I
had hoped there might be some remnants of your time there and for me to stand
where your friends stood but the guide had no knowledge of big army bases
around there. It was, afterall, over 30 years since the war ended and the
Vietnamese are a young demographic. I wish you well and hope that you might
further develop your web site. I read
Chickenhawk several years ago and I really enjoyed it. I was always curious
about what ever happened to you after the war. I plan to find a copy of the
follow-up book and read that too. You are a fine writer and stroyteller and
I'm glad your life has changed so much for the better now. Thanks for the
work you've done and please keep writing! I first read
your book in high school and it was my favorite. Like you I spent many nights
looking skyward. I lost my copy of Chickenhawk many years ago but have never
forgotten your story as it had moved my quite deeply. I came across a copy 2
years ago and just finished it again tonight( at least the 10th time). A
great and honest book. Thank you for sharing your story. A fellow aviator
Sean Barry N.S. Canada Hi Bob, What
can I say, I have literally just this minute finished reading Chickenhawk and
the first thing I wanted to do was post you a message. This book really made
an impression on me from the first few pages to the last words. I have to
admit a certain ignorance of the Vietnam conflict, being only 24 and British.
I have seen them obvious films relating to the subject, but they never
captured the real war. Your book has done this, I now feel that I have some
(however limited) understanding of the experiences you and your colleagues
went through. What struck me is your constant struggle with the issue of
whether or not you should have gone to Vietnam, or if anyone should have gone
at all. I guess the reason I find this question so pertinent is because of
the current issues surrounding Iraq. My answer is, you wanted to fly
helicopters and the military provided you with this opportunity. It was your
job, your career. I considered the British forces a few years back and was
asked many times how I would feel if I had to go to war, my answer was always
- it would be my job. No-one can ever truly appreciate something unless they
have experienced it themselves. Be proud of yourself because from what I have
read you have no reason to feel foolish. All the best, Mark. P.S. Feel free
to edit this as you wish if it is too long for the guestbook. Hi Bob great
books, I have been friends with Gerry Towler for many a years, we went to
same High School and double dated with the gals in our class. Glad that he
and the others made it back. I served the same time in the Navy aboard the
USS Intrepid that is now in NY City. Thanks again. Bill Hey Bob: Gerry
gave me you web site, glad he did. Gerry and Marty were just out here to
visit with us. We went, well I'm sure he told you already. I must tell you I
really enjoyed "Chicken Hawk", Weapon and Chickenhawk: Back in the
World." I must now read Solo. You did a great job with all of them. I
said to Gerry I hope we can meet one of these days. You guys did a great job
and I must say 'THANKS" many times over. Keep writting and hope we can
shake hands some day I just
finished "Weapon" and "Solo"...all I can say is, you are
so right, "High Tech Rules". I could not put these books down,
Pleaaaase write #3 pretty please? Love ya, Ter Hi Bob, We had
the pleasure of meeting you and Patience on one of your recent trips to
Gerry's. He's a good friend of ours so it was interesting to see pics of him.
Of course, like all you Vietnam vets, he's very humble about his work there
as you also were when we met you. Our sincerest thanks for the work you all
did over there. Truly an example to our heros currently in Iraq. God bless
all of you vets for your committment to us sometimes undeserving citizens of
the USA. Judy and Matt Peak Great site
Bob. I'm really glad Gerald A.(my best student ever at Ft. Wolters) sent me
the link. Makes me want to fly a Huey again. Hey Bob, This
is your old "stick buddy" Gerry,(aka - Gary Resler), checking into
your web site once again. I am always amazed at the tremendous response your
still receiving from readers of your book Chickenhawk. The postings are still
coming in from all over the world and their comments are always so positive.
I am sure that your many fans will be excited to buy the new addition of
Chickenhawk when it comes out this spring with the pictures of the acctual
characters you so wonderfully describe. I'm so glad we stayed in contact with
each other all these years and remain such close friends. You and Patience
are like brother and sister to me and helped me overcome many emotional
hurdles. I just want your fans to know what a true hero you are in my eyes
and that the meaning of "Band of Brothers" is as strong as ever.
Looking at the picture of us that you posted on the guest page is like
looking back in time(40 years ago) at another lifetime. I'm so glad you were
there to save me from those "ROCKS". If anyone out there would like
to drop me a line, I would be honored to hear from you. Until then, stay
safe. Your Stick Buddy, Gerry I am currently
building a 1/6 scale uh1-d for use on a future website concerning the vietnam
war.I have done alot of research on the web but there were some details i
couldnt figure out. Well, now thanks to your site i have the answers.Finding
your site has also lifted my spirits as i have been unemployed for a few
months.After reading the guestbook,i am going to seek out some of your books,
they sound like a really good read.During this project iwill be visiting your
site many times.Thank you Bob, you have made this 45yo Aussie boy very happy.
All the best mate. Regards Mark Meallin. Hi. Your book
was recommended to me on a RC heli website. I've really enjoyed reading it. I
found I could relate to the situations you were in as the fighting was very
similar to our own war in Rhodesia, where we used the alouette 3 and later
the B205. It ended before I was old enough for call-up, but I had friends and
family who were involved and some survived, but many didn't. I can understand
what they must have experienced. Great book, thanks. I have read
your books, and enjoyed them very much. Thank you for serving our country. I
am also a veteran, and a Helicopter Pilot. And Thank you for being willing to
share your experiances with us so we can all better understand. Thanks. I was speaking
with my dad today who was also in the Vietnam war. He mentioned your book
"Chickenhawk" and also mentioned that there was a movie based on
it. Where can I find this movie? Thanks, Steven West Dear Mr Mason
I have to start by thanking you for your book. I have just read it for the
Nth time. I have always enjoyed it. I am knocked over by the humanity of your
characters and the way you have brought them to life on the page. I have used
your book as a reference to world events. I have watched while our leaders
have taken us to the brink of war and beyond on several occasions. Your book
was my way of understanding what they were really doing on the ground. Of
seeing what the news reports failed to show. I fortunately have never had the
experience of war and I hope I never will. I shake my head in disbelieve that
a military solution would ever be contemplated. Yet I know that sometimes war
is unavoidable. Sometimes men have to be the opposite to stand for what they
are. Your book also crystallized some thoughts about the war and post-war
experience. The stories that my father told me about the men from his
battalion during and after Second World War were in parallel to your
experiences. It was a different time and place but I am grateful to have read
your book and understood my father a bit better. Hi Bob I have
just read your first book and thought it was a great read. I have to say i
have empathised with some of the emotions you describe having served for 11
years in the UK army. I am glad that i have located your web site and will am
looking forward to reading the next book. Regards Ron Bishop Today is the
first day using a new guestbook scheme which involves reviewing posts for
spam. Email me if you want your comments held private. --Chickenhawk Just read
Chickenhawk; couldn't put it down. Will try and get the others. Hope your
life has turned around; guess it has from the website. i finally
decided to look after Youre website Bob. sorry for calling you bob just like
that, but i've read over your book so many times, that i feel like i know
you. i bought it couple years ago and I'm steel reading
"chickenhawk". i like to open it somewhere in the midle and just
start read. neverenging plesure. thanks. Chickenhawk
has been passed around our group of drinking buddies. We have all
"enjoyed" the book. I'm now trying to obtain a copy of Back in the
World to complete the story. all I can say is that you are a LUCKY, Lucky man
to have a woman like Patience by your side. Best Wishes to you Both. I've just
finished your book chickenhawk it was first recomended to my by a frend i was
serving with he had read it will serving in Rowanda buring the sivel war as a
pece keeper with the UN. When i met him he was sufering from the night mears
that you discribed i too was in a simular situation as i had just returned
from a 2 year covert op in northern Ireland were the every day strees would
get to you what a pear of room maights we maid skreeming all night. I am not
comparing my situation to yours as i did not see or exspereance half the
things you did but i have had to reajust to life out side the forces and its
hared, 5 years and i sill duke for cover when i hear a car back fire. so
thank you for such a good book that even today can tuch the hart and relat to
an exservice man from an other part of the world (remember just keep
moveing!) Mr. Mason, I
have read many comments and I know these get lost in the shuffle but I feel
the need to share my gratitude with you. I am currently a CW4 OH-58D (Armed)
pilot in the US Army. i am pondering retirement. When I came across your site
I felt those old feeling I had while reading "ChikenHawk" for the
first time back in 1984. In a nutshell, I was inspired to fly helicopter by
your book, (although I already wanted too). Your book was what put me over
the top. I have not thought about it for years. Thank you again for a
rewarding career and a true love of vertical flight. BJ hi there bob
hows things goin? 1st of all i would like to say that i started reading ur
book "chikenhawk" after my brother forgot to bring it back to
australia and it was just there lying around so i decided to flip some of its
pages but next thing i could not put the book down i kept on going from one
hot LZ to another the book had its pages around my face kept my eyes awake!
sometimes my friend was asking why i was laughing in a book that tells a war
story well at that time i was reading the part where you shot at one of the
huey controls i forgot.......well bob im almost done with the book im in the
part where u were in the prospectors where u and resler where allowed to fly
together and hey ringknocker is really a nice guy and also a entrepreneur
does good business! well tke care there bob! God Bless! Hello, I'm 15
and I read "Chickenhawk" 6 months ago. It was the best book that I
ever read. My dream is to talk with Robert Mason, but I can't find his
e-mail. My e-mail is smyq-da-boss@o2.pl . I want to thank you Mr. Mason for
write this book, it help me in my life and I understand that life without love
is nothing. Thank you very much. "Thank you" in polish:
"dziekuje" :D. Goodbye! I listened to
Chickenhawk as a "book on tape." Now I'm going to read it. Amazing
number of parallels to Catch 22. You qualify as one of the greatest
generation in my book. Glad to see you are doing well. Robert, I read
your book prior to attending IERW at Ft. Rucker back in 1990. Parts of the
book came back to me time after time throughtout my training and the
following eight years of my service. I like to read, but
"Chickenhawk" is the only book I have ever read twice. Two weeks
ago I was at a flea market and saw the book 'Weapon' with your name on it. I
am only part of the way through it and am riveted. Thank you for your
contributions to our country and the arts. Bob, Really
loved reading Chickenhawk and was very pleased to find this website with a
gallery of photos related to your tour. The bravery shown by you and your
comrades is amazing! nice site i
really like the guestbook Bob, a
fantastic book which I have read several times and one you could never get
board with. Hats off to you fellas, must have been a life changing experience
which I could only ever imagine.The photo's and slides are excellent and nice
to put names to faces, amazing to see how young you all were. Best wishes to
yourself and Patience, obviously a wonderful woman. Reading
Chickenhawk for the second time. Great book! You the man, Mason. You the
man!!!!!!!! Reading
chickenhawk at the moment - very good read and absorbing too. I didn't
realise you had written 'Weapon' - though I read it some time ago it is still
one of my favorite stories. Thanks for sharing your memories with people that
were lucky enough not to be involved - maybe sometime people will try
learning from history, rather than trying to repeat it. TTFN Paul A friend lent
me Chickenhawk years ago and I really enjoyed the book then and recommended
it to loads or people, it was the honesty of it and the humour in a basical
humourless world. I have recently managed to buy my own copy and having found
the website it was amazing to put faces to names that I known so well from
the book. Bob, Just
finished Chickenhawk and want to find your book about being home. I fell bad
saying what a story given the fact it was your life. What an ability you have
for remembering detail and creating a book from those experiences you lived
through Great book i
felt i got a inside look at being a VET ,flying birds in Vietnam.You have my
respect, just got back
from traveling vietnam. picked up a second hand edition or
"chickenhawk" in Hoi An. i read i non stop in my hotel room.
amazing and enlightening read. you must be the luckiest man alive! thanks Just finishing
Chickenhawk - brilliant book, can't put it down. I work in the North Sea on
oil rigs and travel back and forth on helicopters. While travelling to a rig
a pilot noticed me reading your book and said that it was 'the bible' to all
helicopter pilots out in Aberdeen in Scotland (the busiest heliport in
Europe). Thanks again for a terific insight. As A two tour
100% disabled veteran from combat wounds , I found that even as it remains
hard to have things too do , finds frinds to fish play cards with, Gets
better in reading both you and your wifes books. A graet read, Thanks for the
work , I have been tring for 7 years to write a book so I salute you for your
skill in helping us Even as many like me life a lony life disabled I've just
finished reading a second hand copy of 'ChickenHawk', a book I couldn't put
down. I'm glad to have found your website and glad there is a happier
epilogue than the end of that particular book ! Just finished
reading Chickenhawk. Excellent book. One of the best Vietnam personal
accounts that I have read to date. Thanks to you for your service to this
country and sharing your experiences with the readers. I hope things are
better in your life then how the book ended. Just finished
Chickenhawk for the second time. First time was in the late 80's during
college. Finally got on the website and enjoyed the pictures. Hope you are
doing well, you are an inspiration for all. Nothing short
of brilliance, every time I read this book I feel that I almost know you and
the guys you served with. God bless the freinds you lost for those who came
through will live happy!! Hello again
Bob,Having bought 4 copies, lent them to friends,and not have them
returned,Ive just bought another copy at London Heathrow,and read it
again,Chickenhawk is up there with Fate is the Hunter.Compulsory,for any
aviator.Continued best wishes,to you both,Steve I would just
like to thank you for writing the best book ever written! I have read it
countless times over the years and it just keeps getting better and better. I
really respect you and other such people who served on the Hueys and other
units through the conflict, you are all heros. Mr. Mason, I
LOVE YOUR BOOK CHICKENHAWK!!! I'm looking forward to a job in the U.S. Air
Force to be a fighter pilot. And your book is really making military aviation
sound EXCITING. Thank you for all your stories! Dear Mr.
Mason, Thank You very much for sharing your extraordinary life experiences of
Vietnam in your book "Chickenhawk". I am on my second copy, as over
the years my first copy became so dogeared, broken spined, ripped and stained
from all the people who loaned it, read it and loved it. Even in that
horrible condition, someone still borrowed it and I can only presume enjoyed
it so much, that they never returned it! Thank You again. Best Regards,
Harry. First read
your book when I was living in Africa in the late eighties. That is one thing
that Vietnam (66-67) did for me is make me want to see more of the world.
Spent 18 years working in Africa and Russia. Have always been a big reader
but seldom reread amnything. Your books along with Wilfred Thesiger's
"Life of my Choice" are exceptions. Gib Boyd LibertyMo 64068 Bob, I read
"Chickenhawk" recently and thought it was excellent. I found the
website not long ago and I'm pleased to see you're doing well. "Back in
the world" arrived at my door today and I'm looking forward to it. Thank You for
serving and sacrificing part of your life in service to your country! It will
never be forgotten! Thanks. For
your sacrifices and your stories. I hope you have found peace and some
happiness. Best wishes. Mr. Mason - I
read your book, Chickenhawk, when I was in high school about 17 years ago. It
was a awesome read for someone who grew up with people my parents age who
served in Vietnam. I really didn't understand alot of it then - I thought I
did. After graduating high school I joined the Marine Coprs. I was a UH-1N
Huey Crewchief / Doorgunner. After 12.5 years I wanted something a little
different. I joined the Army Warrant Officer ranks. Shortly after flight
school, I went to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Div. While there I read
Chickenhawk again. It made alot more sense and helped me get through some
tough times. Thanks for the book Mr. Mason. It's nice to know that there are
other people out there that understand. I prefered the days of feeling like a
hawk. I am sure you did too. Just finished
ChickenHawk. It is by far the best book I ever read. I currently have a
rotorcraft license and am planning on a commission in the Army. You really
captured what it was like to be a first timer in a helo. Thanks Again -brett Hi Bob..we
really enjoyed the pics that Don Reynolds Wife gave you. Really tells me the
story a little more. Hope to see you and Patience soon, maybe near the end of
Oct. Love & Hugs, Terri & Charlie I just
finished Chickenhawk for the 7th time. I absolutely love this book. Looking
forward to my 8th read. Many, Many thanks. - Just finished
ChickenHawk and want to say what a great read. I felt like I was there with
you. Hope your ok and looking forward to getting your next book. I'm just
glad you took the time to write such a great Novel!!! Thanks Dear Mr.
Mason, finished reading your book last night with tears on my eyes. Had to
find out more. I loved seeing the photos on your website. I'm off to get the
Back in the World copy now. Thank you for such an awesome read. All the Best. Just finished
'Back in the world', in a marathon reading session. Was in 1st Cav in 70, had
similar experiences returning to the world. Haven't read Patience's book but
will certainly have the wife read it since my retiring from the Army last
year. Thanks, Bob. I recently
aquired your book while travelling round Europe and have already read it
three times. The main enjoyment from your book came from the honesty and
non-politically oriented narative, which had me both crying with joy and
sickened at the fuitility of war. If you every read and reply to this message
i have just one query; as a combat veteran what is your opinion of the war in
iraq? i have many of my own but am intensely interested in what the thoughts
of a man experienced in such terrors are. Anyway i will endeavour to force my
friends, family and probably any random person in the street to read your
book. Yours Faithfully Liam Roberts Bob: I have
read Chickenhawk well over 100 times since I first got hold of a copy in 1987
and I never cease to be fascinated by your accounts in this way excellent
book. (My cousin, by the way, WO-1 Bill Bertalassio, served as a helicopter
pilot in Vietnam in 1969). The thing that holds me and keeps me coming back
to the book are the people...I have grown to know these people over the
years, through you, and I often wonder about how they have done since the
war. I have read about you also and the difficulties that you encountered
since Vietnam...I hope and pray that everything is going well for you now. If
it is possible, could you tell me a little bit about those with who you
served and what they have been doing since then? People like Farris, Leese,
Connors, Resler, etc. By the way, I enjoyed the photos greatly...Lastly, my
condolences, however late, on the passing of Don Reynolds a.k.a Bill Kaiser.
I know from personal experience how hard it is to lose a comrade. May he rest
in peace. Thanks Bob for the wonderful book and for giving me much to think
about over the years. Lou Bornes (intellibyte@yahoo.com) Bob, I thank
you and Patience for your hard work and for caring. We loved your
book and the site. it was very strange to see the photos of your comrades
from the book. Take care! i read your
book after it first was published. it was intense.i feel that anyone that can
overcome the feelings that you had after that makes you a stong person.
everybody has a backlash from trama that you see from something like war!
blessing to you. write another book as good as CHICKENHAWK I just
finished "Chickenhawk" and had to find out what became of you,
Robert. A great book: so very honest. Thanks, man. just seen both
chickenhawk and chickenhawk back in the world books for sale on ebay and
wanted to see what all the fuss was about, i have just
read chicenhawk for the third time well done bob,now i,ve got to find the
next book to finish where it left off Dear Mr.
Mason, Just wanted to let you know that along with the AFT manual for every
helicopter currently on line at Fort Rucker, many rotor wing pilots and
soon-to-be pilots carry a copy of your book with them- it is indeed the
"bible of modern day helicopter pilots" - many thanks for a very
good read. Just this
minute finnished re-reading Chickenhawk. I had to look up Bob in Google. I
wanted to see how you are these days. With very much respect and best wishes.
Steve just received
and read "back in the world" after a real struggle to find a copy
but what a worthwhile find, i first read chickenhawk back in 87 while living
in canada and read it many times but worth the 17 year wait back in the real
world.. well done to you all Ray (two
entries below) was my former commander and teased me all the time about being
a "grunt" (like me teasing him being an member of our so-called Air
Force). Despite being a grunt I am able to read, even English books and all I
want to add is that I finished yours in two days. Now Ray sent me the link to
this homepage. You kept it very private and not too commercial, what I really
do appreciate. Good to know that you are fine and sorted yourself out. All
the best to you and your family, take care! What more can
I add that hasn't been said by others. Just finishing Chickenhawk for the 4th
time (it's the only book that I'v ever read more than once!)in less than a
year. Reading your book is like chatting with old friends. Yes, I know what's
coming along, but still feel the emotions every time. Just trying to track a
copy of your second Chickenhawk book down to enjoy more of your writings.
Thanks! Great book I
have read it some years ago and read it once more now in 2004. The end
shocked me and thus I wander what happend to you and thus searched the
internet. Glad you are okay and that life moves on. I know the feeling when
you are grounded. Flying was my life too. I am especially impressed bof the
technics you used to land by cutting branches etc. I will now buy your other
books, but most of all I am glad to see that your life has turned into a
happy ending ......... Simply
beautiful. 'Chickenhawk'
What a book, What an Inspiration. Read it after I started to fly Helicopters
back in Jan 1999. I now have 1860 hours as an Instructor here in the UK.
Chickenhawk is a must for my students. I visited Vietnam last year 'Amazing'
because of Chickenhawk! Best wishes to Robert and Patience. Just finished
Chickenhawk for the 2nd time this morning. Will it still move me as much as
it did 12 years ago when I was only 22? What a stupid question! Really
pleased to find this site, looks like I'll be reading the sequel next! Thanks I was in Nam
66-67; enjoyed both your books, and will soon have Patience's book for my
wife to read. just finished
reading your book Bob..."WOW" hi robert,just
finished chickenhawk(again,for the tenth time)so wondered if you had a
site.fantastic read ,always get somthing more out of it everytime.as an
english kid in the sixties i poured ova the press coverage of vietnam.started
collecting patches etc on the 1st cav,and any first hand info.your book is
the best vets account ive read.thank you.all the best 2u an yours.regards
steve. I am almost at
the end of Chickenhawk, and as i was online thought I'd take a moment to
check out info on Bob Mason. It was wonderful to come across this site,
especially seeing pictures from the time. I wasn't going to leave a message
until I finished the book. But on looking at the message board felt I had to
due to the high number of 'adverts' placed upon it. If the placers of these
'ads' had ever taken the time to read and try to understand a book like
Chikenhawk they would realise how benign, sad, and inapropriate the placement
of the messages are. Hey Bob...just
popping in to say hello. We miss you and Patience. Hope to get up there
sometime soon. Hope all is well with you guys. Love & Hugs, Ter &
Charlie Robert, I have
just finished reading your amazing book Chickenhawk. I got on the internet to
see if I could find any recent info about you. Your pictures are fascinating.
They make your story even more real. I hate the Vietnam War and what it did
to people in both countries. I am so sorry that you and your friends were
treated badly when you came home. You should all have been hailed as heroes,
even if the war was stupid and unjustified. I hope you have found peace in
your life. Thank you for sacrificing so much for our country. I will think
about you, your wife, and your friends from the war for a long time. i have just
finished reading chickenhawk for the fourth time and it is with out doubt the
best book i've read. thanks for an amazing story of real courage. Lost my
original copy of CHICKENHAWK to our then new German Shepard puppy .. thought
all was lost till I discovered re-print a couple years later , THAT copy is
now WELL WORN from reading .. best Helicopter book and narrative ever .Thanks
for writing it . Fred Pointer I am on my way
to the CPL helicoter in New Zealand, and your book is still traded as the
bible of helicopter pilots. Read it twice, cheers Cool stuff out
there! Really nice to read! I have read
both Weapon and Solo and loved both of them as well as reread wach many
times. Is there going to be a third book ?? I would like to see how things
turn out for both Solo and Nimrod Just this
minute finished Chickenhawk. A very compelling read, especially in the light
of recent events. I can understand how the boys in Iraq feel trying to help
the small fraction of Iraqis who wany them there and delaing with extended
tours. Many thanks. Would love to
read "Chickenhawk,Back in the world",is there any chance of a
re-issue??!! I read
Chickenhawk because I have just connected with a high school boyfriend who
also flew slicks ('71-'72). He won't talk about it so I'm glad you did. I,
too, was devastated by the ending, and therefore relieved to see your
website. Thank God you and Patience have survived and thrived. I just ordered
Back to the World so I can finish the story. Chickenhawk was so dear to me
that I can't put it in the bookcase--it's still out where I can see it every
day. I also have the video--didn't realize you had a part in it until now. I
love those guys and start to miss them if I don't watch it for a while. God
bless both of you. I read
Chickenhawk because I have just connected with a high school boyfriend who
also flew slicks ('71-'72). He won't talk about it so I'm glad you did. I,
too, was devastated by the ending, and therefore relieved to see your
website. Thank God you and Patience have survived and thrived. I just ordered
Back to the World so I can finish the story. Chickenhawk was so dear to me
that I can't put it in the bookcase--it's still out where I can see it every
day. God bless both of you. Mr. Mason, I
thank you, your comarades, and all who served in Vietnam. What you did over
there was inspiring. You are all heros. I have read the book for the 6th time
in 20 years. Each time, I learn something new about myself and values. I too
was concerned with you at the end of the book. I am glad you are healing.
This book is part of my military history collection that I hope my children
will read. I read your
book many years ago, every know and then an excerpt pops up and I wonder how
you are doing. You have effected me in ways I can't discribe. I worked with a
Cobra Pilot for a while , for some reason the subject of your book came up.
This guy made some disparaging remark about your overall character service
and drug dealing. I questioned him about his service, seems he was partying
and flying missions in Germany during the war. Never fought. I called him on
it and lost all respect for the man. I'm glad your well, the path led me to
this web sight. Thank you for your service. Bob, I just
finished your book "Chickenhawk" and I went online to see if you
had a site and found this one. I just tranfered to the Canadian Airforce from
the Army as a Seaking crew member. I just wanted to write this quick note to
say your book really opened my eyes to airmen in Vietnam and how you guys
lived and worked over there. I hope your doing well and wish you and your
family the best in the future. Cpl Paul Comeau, 403 Hel OTS, CFB Gagetown,
NB, Canada Besides being
informative, humorous, and poignantly touching, I thought your book was so
genuine & humble. You make me proud to be an American. Thank you for your
sacrifices to keep our nation free. May God bless you & your family &
friends. Sincerely, Susan C. Periano I have an hour
commute one way, 5 x's a week. I have just started "reading"
ChickenHawk on my way from and to home...It is so apparent that nothing
really ever changes...what I listen to can be easily translated to the desert
sands of the Middle East. A "first
british publication" of your book Chickenhawk appeared in my personal
library several years ago. I'm not sure where I aquired it, but that's not
unusuall for me. I still process my feelings about that period of time in
small bytes. So I only recently opened the book for the first time. I read
almost non stop untill I finished it. A very good read! However, the ending
distrubed me and left me feeling concerned for you. I did an online search to
see if I coud find any info about you, and was VERY relieved to find this web
site and evidence that you are alive and hopefully at least somewhat well. I
was a Navy Corpsman attached to the Marine Corps but was luckily never in
county, but I dealt with a lot of guys that were when I worked for the V.A.
after I got out in '73. Like I said, I still deal with my feelings about Viet
Nam in small incriments. Thank you for being there and helping me get in
touch with where we came from, and how we arrived here. All the best! Hey Mason!
After listening to your book on cd while traveling I feel like I know you. I
used to parachute from Huey's as an SF guy, and was always facinated with
helicopters. You give an honest and very courageous sharing of a difficult
time for you. Currently I'm a university prof in a counseling dept and will
definately recommend your book for discussion in certain classes. I do wish
you all the best. Thank you again for sharing. Scott Hall, Dayton, Ohio Mr. Mason, I
first read you book Chickenhawk when it came out. I have read it at least 4
times since. Not sure why I keep reading it. I am glad to see you are well
and happy. Thanks for an honest book. Just finished
reading Chickenhawk. Thank you for sharing with me your experiences.
Understanding others helps us understand ourselves. Many many thanks Hey there! i'm
19 years old and my dad showed me a copy of your book "Chickenhawk"
and i'm amazed! that book really got to me. I applaud all your hard work in
Vietnam and i thank you for sharing your story with the world. Amazing. Spellbound by
your book. Service here in norway is mandatory, so I got Huey lifts through
the mountains as an Artillery FO years back. It always pissed the pilots off
when I asked them to show me an autorotation! HAha - And they'd say:
"You're a chickenhawker too, huh?" You left a mark Mr Mason. I have never
read a more moving book than Chickenhawk. I can only thank you for emparting
your experiences to us all. I appreciate the reality you portrayed without
political bias. All the best .. I have never
read a more moving book than Chickenhawk. I can only thank you for emparting
your experiences to us all. I appreciate the reality you portrayed without
political bias. All the best .. Dear Bob, I
was so pleased to find your site on the net tonight. Some of my friends call
me helicopter freak because of my fascination with helicopters. I was given a
copy of Chickenhawk for my birthday last year. I hate reading so reluctantly
picked it up. I could not put it down and had it finished within a week. The
way you described how a helicopter flies and what it feels like to fly it had
me captivated right from the start. One of the guys I work with is a Vietnam
vet and he often tells stories of what it was like. I would listen to his
stories but not really hear what he was saying. Now I feel I understand
totally where he is coming from. I'm so relieved to find your site and know
your ok. I was devastated at the end of the book. Wishing you and Patience
all the best for the future. HI, I HAVE
FINISHED READING YOUR BOOK NOW, MANY TIMES AGO IN POLAND WAS FIRST EDITION
THIS BOOK(1993). AMAZING, GREAT WAR STORY!!!. THANKS AND I WISH YOU WELL
JACEK FROM POLAND Mr. Mason: I
just finished listening to "Chickenhawk" on tape in my car. I'm
from the era, but didn't see Vietnam. I expected to go there as an MI Special
Agent when I enlisted, but as it turned out I served my time in a CI
Detachment in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I couldn't have survived Vietnam, not
mentally, and probably not physically. I admire the men who did. I served 17
years in the Utah National Guard, and the best men I knew there were Vietnam
Vets. Judging from your website, I'm guessing that things have gone better
for you than they were going at the end of "Chickenhawk." I hope
so. I wish you well.---C. Douglas Mr Mason it is
an honour to be able to leave my comments. I have read and reread Chickenhawk
over the years and it never fails to move me. I would like to thank you for
bringing your experience to those of us who will never know what your war was
like. I grew up in the US during the war and remember what it was like. Your
book captured the mood perfectly. I am very pleased to hear that you made it
and that Patience is still at your side. Be well. AMK An amazingly
moving and powerful book. I came across it when I was looking at website on
helicopter flight (as I'm about to start training for my PPL(H)) - Paul
Cantrell's www.copters.com - he said that whenever he was in a tight spot
with an overloaded helicopter in a tight space, he would think of what you
learnt from Leese and act accordingly... That was enough to get me intrigued
- I bought the book a couple of days later and had finished it within the
week... That was about a week and a half ago - I'm now half way through
reading it straight through a second time. Thanks for a great insight into
something I'd never really understood much about before - it scares and
encourages me - I finished reading the book a first time feeling that I
understood so much more of war (I'm not naive enough to think that I *do*
actually understand it - I'm not sure I ever want to have the kind of
experiences that would do that...) As a soon-to-be trainee pilot, I found
your flight training stories informative and amusing - I suspect my first
lesson will be similar to yours - it's amazing what you think you can do
before ever getting your hands on the controls! Anyway, thanks again for
sharing your experiences! Bought
Chickenhawk when it was first released & have re read it time & time
again. good to see you came through OK. So many didn't. Mr Mason, i
have read "Chickenhawk" a number of times, each time refreshingly
new items come to light. As I was a young lad living in Rhodesia at the time
'63-'69, Vietnam and aviation was a lot on my mind. Your book really
expresses the war as it was, warts and all. Well done. If you are the
snme Bob Mason in 1966 in Phan Rang we worked to gather for a short time tell
you took to flying in the door. If this is not you then welom back and I will
keep looking. [Duane--I was there from June-August 1966-Bob] I just read it
again for the 10th time. I keep picking up on little bits i missed in the
previous read.. You're a talented writer Bob. I wish other experiences were
written in the same manner ;) "I am a swave and deboner army
aviator!" "the word is suave," i said "not over here it
aint" [How true!--Bob] :) I have just
finished reading your book whilst on holiday in america,although the more
poignient i thought.I knew of your book when i was a serving solidier in the
eighties but never read it as was to gung ho.Now a lot more wiser i enjoyed
the book very much.Whilst i was suprised by the ending i think you have to go
through bad times to become a better person.I never judged you through this
book but before i visted the site i knew bt writitng the book you had turned
the corner.Good luck Bob, read 2 of
your books many years ago. I was Bluestar36 in Ninh Hoa all of 1970. I'm a
member of the 48 AHC Assoc. and the VHPA Bob I have
just finished reading Chicken Hawk for the second time and it have moved me
again for the conditions that you guys had to put up with. I myself am a
pilot with limited rotery wing experience having done most of my flying in
fixed wing aircraft in the outback of Australia. Both of my Grand fathers
served in wars and they told me very little about them because of the
memories that it brought back,I thank you for writing Chicken Hawk for it
told us the truth and what really went on over there and tell us how lucky we
are to live not in fear. I just
finished Chickenhawk. Totally riviting and chilling account of that period of
time. You write beautifully. Keep it up. I think I want to be a helicopter
pilot now. Hi Mr Mason,
Ive read your book chicken hawk 9 times now and still i cant put it down. The
saddest part for me is the ending. I am currently studying for my A levels
and always include your book as an example of the horror and suffering of
war, but whatever happens in my life, im sure ill never forget the message
that you present so well in your book. Thank you for such a great book Rupert
White 19 Hi Robert,
Just finished reading in chickenhawk,I bought that book back in 1986,but with
the American boys in Iraq,seeing their coffins going back home,side by
side,brings back memorys of the Vietnam war,I was fourteen years old when the
news on the TV was always about Vietnam,and it moved me deeply,since then
I`ve read a lot about it,and saw many films and documataries. And now we`re
in 2004 and you have a website!!!! and you`re still alive,and together with
Patience!!!!!i`m happy for you!! Now i`m 42,and just finifhed a course of
Reiki,i`ve learned to give healing energy through my hands,and i want to give
it to you too Robert, you can be sure that it will help you further on your
path in a positive way. But I live here in Holland,so do yourself a favor and
ask Patience to find a Reiki master for you,and herself,she will find one
because she must be made of gold. Have a good life Robert,and thank you for
writing your books,they help[ more people than you will ever can imagine. God
bless you tender loving care from Corrie I stayed here
while shooting in vancouver, very very nice. Check this loft out:
www.vancouverlongstay.com Hey Bob, I
read CH shortly after I was assigned to the 180th AVN Co.(ASH) in 1983. BIG
WINDY you may remember them as the guys that came and picked up the UH-1's
after they got shot down. I was fortunate to serve with a lot of Vietnam
Vets. I really had no idea what life was like for them over there until I
read your book. Because usually any Nam vet refused to talk about it unless
he was completely drunk and talking to another Vietnam Vet. After reading CH
I realized why. Just to damn painful. I can sure empathize with your loss of
flying. I left the Army as a Disabled Vet, Physical injury as well as PTSD.
Still having a hard time with the VA on the later. Was hoping to become an
A&P mechanic after I got out so I could earn enough money and take
helicopter flying lessons and find me a real job. LOL. 17 years later a Buddy
from Big Windy found me a job working on Hooks at FT Campbell as a civilian.
I start in a few days. This may sound crazy but I was never more alive as I
was when I was working on Army Helicopters. The last few years seem like I
have been in a coma. Now I am coming out of it because I am going back to do
what I love. I have also started a book about the life and times of an Army
CH-47 crewchiefs & pilots Starting with Vietnam and working my way up to
now. Hookers haven't gotten the amount of press that slicks and guns have
gotten. so I am gonna see what I can do to make up for it. Sort of funny now
that I think back on it. With all the TM's and Army Regs we had available to
read. The prerequiset to getting to flight platoon was to read Chicken Hawk.
They wanted to make sure you could cut it after reading that. Be surprised
how many people your book weeded out. Thanks for all the writing inspiration.
When I complete my book I'll send you a copy for review how would that be? Feel
free to check out these sights Bob http://communities.msn.com/BIGWINDYCLUB or
e-mail me @ securedantiqueinvestments@yahoo.com Found the book
gripping, fascinating and in the end disturbing and sad. Excellent book about
the bravery of the young men involved and damaged by a pointless war. Wasn't
taken with the video - too brief, rather flat. ive just read
chickenhawk you certainly were brave along with the other men who flew with
you and the one`s which died. mike, england I bought
"Chickenhawk" many years ago. I have read it several times. I was
66-23A3 3rd WOC at Wolters, A-227 1st Cav 4-67 to 4-68, TAC Off. 6th WOC, IP
Charlie Division, and finally Flight Eval. Thanks for the
"Touchstone". Thank you for
"Chickenhawk" its the beast book I ever read. I would like
to get the word out that we are having a welcome Vietnam Vets cyber parade at
Freerepublic.com. For anyone interested here is a link
http://www.proudpatriots.com/funforall/parade1.htm God bless our troops and
Vets. You are the people I have to thank for my children's freedom. Thank you Mr.
Mason, for your brutally honest book, Chickenhawk. I am still taking it all
in, after having just finished for the first (of many, I am sure) times. I
hope that the world can learn by its history, but it only has the chance to
do so, if people like you tell your stories, so eloquently. Thank you, and
best wishes from an admirer. You have re-lit my desire to write my story. Hi, I've just
finished Chicken Hawk for the second time. I feel as if I could fly a
Huey(Not really). I was stationed a Tuy Hoa AB 69 & 70. Rode in a Dust
Off Huey a coupla times and I really like being around them & listening
to them. Brings back some fond memories. Mr.Mason,
During the Viet Nam War,I was out of the country. So, I didn't see it on TV
everynight. We returned to the USA in 69. It was both a a shock of coming of
age and a cultural shock about the way the country had changed since 64. (I
grew up a Navy Brat) My interest in Viet Nam began about the same time I was
approaching 50. You know, thoughts of youth gone by and the major events that
affected by life. I started reading about Viet Nam. I have been consumed about
learning more for over a year. My library included a warehouse of books.
ChickenHawk is one of the best I have read. Best wishes. Hi Mr Mason,
I've still got an old battered copy "First British Publication" of
Chickenhawk, read and re-read about a dozen times. Luckily it was one of the
first books I ever read and has been the standard for every book I have read
since. The nature of the courage that you (and others) demonstrated also set
standards by which I have chosen to lead my life since then. Thank you. Pepe. You have a
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thirteen, and i read chicken hawk, it realy gave me a difernt out look on the
vietnam war, and realy gave me respect for the people who fought in that war,
i'd liek to thank you for righting that book. Hi Mr. Mason,
I just finished reading your book "Chickenhawk" after picking it up
on impulse at an airport. I don't think I've been so deeply affected by
writings of any kind before. Thanks for taking the time to share your
experiences with the world.. I've learned a lot from you and I hope others
do, too. Bob, I re-read
your books every three to four years and have been doing so since they first
appeared. I have recommended your books over the years and more recently to a
co-worker friend whose husband is flying Kiowa helicopters around Iraq right
now. She plans on sending her husband your book based on my enthusiasm...
your tale is touching and sincere and by far the best historical reading I
have embarked upon. Regards, S.McCutcheon Hope you found
that peace you were after. The ONLY way I ever found any was spiritually.
There are still many bad days however but some that are "OK". Hi bob, found
chickenhawk maybe 10 yrs ago, read it and found it
honest,exciting,interesting,sharing, but mostly in the end sad, sad for many
reasons all of which you all ready know. I gave the book to my brother-in-law
to read who gave it back to me saying "thats one of the best books ive
read" and then i put it away in the loft were it stayed untill last month
when i re-found it while tidying up, so off to work it came with me to be
re-read in my lunch break ( painter & decorator in private houses so nice
and quiet). Well bob once again i found it the same as last time an amazing
read, the photos on the web have brought it to life for me. I was born in
1962 and to think that i was playing football, oops! i mean soccor while all
that was going on with you is, well life i suppose. Take care and i hope you
got over the clap o.k cheers John Dear Bob, I
read Chickenhawk years back, then I managed to find Weapon and Solo - loved
them; Solo rocks! I`ve just finished reading Chickenhawk;Back In The World
for the second time. Anyone who enjoyed Chickenhawk needs to read this book.
I`m so glad you`ve put your photos up on the site; I`ve always yearned to see
them, they`re stunning. Jerry Towler does indeed look like Stan Laurel!! Take
care Bob - We love you. As i approach
50 i have never been sucked into war, although it fascinates me as i now
understand from reading books like yours and speaking to vets of all
conflicts that war condenses so many basic emotions very quickly in a person,
and then the trial of that person and those around begins. I, like many
others have had trauma in life, often only known to themselves, and reading
your story helps to put the pain in perspective, you have to reach inside and
learn to re-accept yourself at a different level, not just for granted as
when you were young. Also there is always someone with a tougher tale. best
wishes jc hi read your
book chickenhawk a few years back (well about 20 years!!doesnt time fly) just
got another copy today in a charity shop looking forward to re-reading hope
everything worked out with you in the end cheers buck taylor chief petty
officer royal navy MR.Mason my
name is Daniel Lloyd and would like to no if you could provide me with info
on Johnny w Lloyd which was in the ARMY as a pilot with you .THANK YOU
DADNIEL LLOYD [johnnys yougest son] DEAR ROBERT: I
WAS WONDERING WHEN LEARNING HOW TO HOVER A HELICOPTER DO YOU HAVE TO LEARN
ONE CONTROL AT A TIME? Dear Mr. Mason
Since 1986 I've read Chikenhawk countless times. It's the only book that I
buy knowing I'm going to give it away someday. Introducing this book to
friends is a real pleasure; sharing with others what you've shared with so
many grateful readers is just my own private way of saying thank you for a
wonderful book. P.S. When my old instructor was asked about the
"ticking" sound that you said bullets made when they hit the
airframe, he said "Ticking?? Sounded like someone was beating on the
side of the thing with a sledgehammer to me." I hope this makes you
smile. Chickenhawk (I
just got around to reading it) was very moving. We served abut the same time,
but I never left the states. I think you tell it like it was, and needs to be
told. Maybe someday we will stop making the same mistakes over and over.
Thanks your book was
so honest and amazing. it was the first book i've read about vietnam, and
when i finished, all i wanted to do was read more vietnam war books or watch
movies about vietnam. living in thailand, it's very interesting to read this
history that i knew so little about. and your pictures are amazing! you
seemed to have captured everything so well, i was very glad to have found
your site after reading the book. also, i have to know, are there any
pictures of connors?! :) thank you for sharing this experience. Hi Bob, My Dad
was a Chinook Crew Chief/Flight Engineer in the Cav, 228th, C Company June 66
to July 67 An Khe.....I've read your books several times, and always very
moved. They helped me to understand what He went through. Thank You. Ray
Aakjar Jr. Just an old
doorgunner saying hello. SP5 240th ahc
70---71 Canadian citizen--joined at 17 Mr.Mason,I
have read your book twice and thourghly enjoyed it.There were passages that
made laugh and cry at the same time;how you could find some humor in your own
misery is truly a strenghth of character.I think the book would make an
excellant movie if it was done properly,in fact i think it would be one of
the best movies about America's involvement in Vietnam.I hope you have found
the peace and serenity that you so richly deserve.May God bless you and all
the young men and women who served their country. Bob, Like many
others I have read and reread Chickenhawk a number of times because it is
just such a wonderful book. The first time was in the eighties, when as again
like many others, after the first few chapters I thought I would be able to
fly a helicopter purely on your description. I have just finished the book
again and again wondered what had happened to you as the book ends with you
in sad circumstances. I can rest easy having found your web site and look
forward to reading your recovery story. Regards, Noel Bob, just
finished reading Chickenhawk for the first time. Very moving and honest book,
the best book I have read on the conflict. Could not put it down once I
started reading it, none of the usual "gung ho" type rubbish that
spoils many books. Best wishes and good health, Dave. Mr Mason, I
spent a few weeks in Vietnam this Christmas and came back determined to read
more about the war. I overheard some Americans in the old Presidential Palace
in Saigon mention Chickenhawk and found it in my local library when I got
home. I don't think I need to read anything else. I came too close to being
sent to Vietnam and have known a few vets over the years - so much so that I
never really thought of going there for a holiday. I am happy to say that I
and my family had a fantastic time - there are still obvious scars there but
the people in both north and south seem determined to keep building a new
country and put the war behind them. As an example we had an ex-ARVN guide
showing us around the Cu Chi tunnels area. Thank you for your book and your
website - what a great guest book! Thank you also for those photos -
especially the one of Long. Best wishes I'm not from
TS, I'm a Texan... hardcase@airmail.net God bless you. I read your
book " Chicken Hawk " some years ago, it had a very profound
meaning to me...I remember writing you when you were having hard times..You
wrote me back, I still have the letters..Best wishes to you and your wife. Just read
Chickenhawk and of course immediately wondered what happened after 1983...
awesome book, very well written, very moving. You did such an outstanding job
of conveying your fear and extreme desire to survive Vietnam and it was
heartbreaking to discover that so much of the bad stayed with you to ruin
your life once you got back. Best wishes to you and your marvellous Patience,
from an Australian in Moscow. Hi Bob- Gave
your book to my brother, Jim,about 20 years ago. He flew slicks with
Americal, Jan-Nov,68. He crashed and burned in Nov, '68. He never recovered
from the emotional impact of the war and died by his own hand in 1986. I'm
also a Viet and Cav vet and, aside from a couple of drunken nights with my
brother when I got home and a couple more when he did, I never talked about
that time and place. While reading Colin Powell's autobiography about a year
ago I discovered that my brother was A/C for Americal's commanding general
when he crashed and burned and that Powell was on board as division
operations (S-2?). Have been involved in trying to put together some of his
tour and am chronicling mine as well. Came to realize that war was part of
his and my legacy. I was also surprised that my children resented that I had
never shared anything about that part of my life. It has been a roller
coaster ride emotionally. Here is what I have discovered: War is best in
memory. Your book touched me and it touched my brother as well. Thank you and
welcome home, brother. I KNOW
MISSPELLED VIETNAM/ WE WERE COMBAT/ENG /HAVE AIR MEDAL/ARMY COM W/V CHICHENHAWK
GREAT BOOK READ YEAR'S AGO (HARDCOVER)SILL HAVE.I SERVED IN VIRTNAM WITH
"C" co. 8th eng bn.1ST CAV 1968-69 CAMP EVANS I first read
Chickenhawk when I was fourteen (many times since then) and it had a profound
affect on me. Firstly I have been obsessed with Huey's ever since (not many
to see in the UK though). After you had finished flight school, I felt that I
too could fly a Huey, the detail and the way you described the actions and
their reactions of a Huey, this completely enhanced the rest of the book.
Chickenhawk gave me a genuine and valuable insight into the Vietnam war. Many
Thanks and this is a pleasure to be able to tell you how much I enjoy
Chickenhawk. I know your
book, several years and i have read it 5 times. I'm 23 jears old and I know
nothing about Vietnam, But I whanted to know how it was . Now i can imagion
just a smal part of the way it was in vietnam. I must say dat you have
written a magnificent book. Don't give up. Glenn. Chief, I just
got done reading your book chickenhawk. I have so much respect for the real
men that fought in Vietnam. I am also a soldier, and also on a year long
tour, and its amazing the way the Army never changes things. Most of the
things I read in your book I can connect with so easily with here. I would
like to extend a sincere salute to you, and the men the died so I could write
this today. Just finished
Chickenhawk for the second time. A special,"Thank you", to you and
all the chopper pilots; and especially to the crew of the slick that picked
me up with Ak-47 wounds in boths legs on 1April69. Rob; 82nd
Airborne,Co.D,2/505. Robert, I just
finnished reading ChickenHawk while home on leave and really enjoyed it. I
was very curious to know how you turned out and then found your web site. I
really liked the pictures since I already read the book. I'm very glad to see
you are doing OK. Take good care of yourself. Eric Bob, just
finished a very long drive that was made much shorter by listening to your
book. I had 13 CD's worth of a hypnotic story. I found myself almost running
out of gas not wanting to stop in mid-sentence. I feel extremely grateful to
know more about what you and MANY others had endured in Vietmnam. Thanks for
the info. I have to know what has happened to you since 1983? Where can I
find out? Robert, I read
ChickenHawk while I was home on leave. The book was great but I was curious
as to how you turned out. I found your web site and really enjoyed the
pictures since I read the book. Great to see you made it OK. Take care of
yourself. Eric I am here
already.Thanks I Really liked
your site guys! I give it a 19-8930 grade! bontril I Really liked
your site guys! I give it a 19-8930 grade! phentermine Bob, I have
read Chickenhawk so many times I have lost count. I wanted to fly military
but the Falklands war in the 80's cut the defence budget and so my training
place. Chickenhawk is the best book I have ever read and it always makes me
laugh and cry for its brutal honesty. I am glad things turned out for you,
you obviously deserve it. Robert, (or
Bob) I bought your book, Chickenhawk, very recently and I'm just about three
quarters of the way through. Some may think this is therefore premature but I
just had to look you up and express a heartfelt well done to you for
everything you have written and giving someone like me a chance to read and
almost feel what happened to you guys out there. I am 27 and obviously not
around at the time of the Vietnam conflict. Also, I have always been
interested in aviation and find some of the detail you use within your book
extremely interesting and wishing I had the skill, which is why you have
inspired me to take up lessons flying heli's (I start in about July time).
Obviously you had to learn under different circumstances but I thank you all
the same for giving me drive and ambition. Many thanks! Nick (I'll post a
review when I've finished the book, but its excellent anyway...you know
that!) Bob, About
fifteen years ago, back in my country (Argentina) I read some extracts of
Chikenhawk in a old Vietnam War magazine from Spain. With only those few
extracts I was thrilled and Always wanted to know Who the hell had written
such a great thing!!! Two weeks ago walking in Hoi An, I came across with one
of these shops selling photocopied books and I couldnt believe my eyes!! it
was there, in front of me a photocopied copy of your book! I bought it for
40.000 Dongs, and I read it in few days while travelling for the DMZ.
Yesterday We came back to London from VN, and the first thing I have done was
to check your name in internet to know what Happened to you and your family.
I will find a copy of your second book, and since I have bought a fake book I
would like to know if you can send me one of your pictures to London. I guess
you are very busy, but please send me a few lines. I feel privileged for
having read your book in Vietnam, and one of your pictures plus a few lines
will be like a dream came true! If one day you decide to come to London you
can count on me on anything you need. gusbilbao1uk@yahoo.co.uk I read
Chickenhawk back in the late eighties and found it both moving and
disturbing. As an Australian living in a small country town I was aware of
the war but the sanitized government depicted version of it. I saw family
friends conscripted to South East Asia with the commitment to "the
cause" of fighting back the communists and stopping the domino effect.
It was through your personal account that I then learnt more of the reality
of the war and what the soldiers in SE Asia suffered. I have just finished re
reading CH again and felt compelled to seek out what ever happened to R.C.
Mason. I was pleasantly surprised to find things were well and have managed
to locate a copy "CH Back in the World" on the net. I wish you all
the best and thankyou for the wonderful account of your experience. Isn't
life a fragile balance, between what we believe in and what we are forced to
do which ultimately shapes us into who we are? Your contribution to a better
understanding of the war and journey through the rehabilitation process will
be seen by many as a true inspiration for many years to come. Wonderfull
book! I just finished reading it for the second time in ten years. I Hope
everything is going well for you. Take care. I am almost
through reading Chickenhawk, and love it! I wasn't even born when you were
risking you life for this great country, but you manage to put your readers
right there with you in the cockpit. Good work, and thank you for sharing
your experiences with the rest of us that weren't there. My brother
served with the Cav as a door gunner/ crew chief from 1967 to 1969. I was
only 7 at the time so I didn't understand alot of what was going on.
Chickenhawk spelled it all out. Great book, Bob! Glad you've come back to
yourself. I first read
Chickenhawk in 1985 as a confused and troubled teenager. I read it first for
pleasure, then reread it to write a book report for my sophomore comp class.
I enjoyed the story and love the style of writing. I was only 17 and had a
lot of troubles in my life. Between the average teen angst and outside forces
that treated me like some kind of lab experiment gone awry, my teen years
were a mass of confusion. I did know that I wanted to join the Army, and
after reading your book, I really wanted to fly. All the other stuff in my
life came with a price that kept me from flying, but I did join and
successfully became a tank crewman aboard an M-1A1 tank. For two years in
Germany, (during the end of the cold war and during the fall of the Berlin
wall) I served part of my first enlistment. I thought I would have a peaceful
two-year tour in the states upon my return in 1990, but as in your case,
world events made other plans for me. I served as a tanker with the 24th
Mech. Infantry Division in Desert Storm. After that, I returned to put in 9
more years with the National Guard, all in tanks. The point I wish to make
with this story is that you inspired me to reach within myself and set a
goal. I recently reread your book and again, enjoyed it, this time with the
insight that comes from experience. I have since made friends with people who
served with the 1st Cavalry Division from that time frame and learned more
about the events you first set to print. But current events make me wonder
what our government learned from the Hell they inflicted on your generation.
Again, we have entered a poorly planned war with unclear objectives. How many
other young soldiers will endure the same tribulations you endured because
our government had an idea with no real goal to aim for. My generation came
back from the desert to the return that yours should have gotten. It appears
that at least our citizens have learned you dont hold the soldiers
responsible for bad foreign policy. But I still fear for our future. Thank
you for writing your book; it was a great influence on me in a time when I
needed a clear direction to aim my life. I hope you still enjoy flying; Im
glad that your wife stuck by you through your turmoil, both military and
civilian. I hope your future just keeps getting better. Youve earned it.
Steve May I cordially
invite your visitors to also visit my website, relating to Operation
Babylift, Vietnam, April, 1975 at: www.Vietnambabylift.org Thank you, Lana
Noone. Dear Bob, I
enjoyed reading both CH and CH back in the world. My father was a crew chief
during the Rhodesian war and had some harrowing experiences of his own, which
includes being shot down twice. I did not follow his foot steps and fly
military aircraft. There is some regret in that. However, your books have
opened to me the reality and cost of flying military aircraft in war. Keep
well. would love to
be able to write a story like that, thank god i've never been put in the
position to have to... What a
fantastic read - I logged on to see how you were travelling and they seem
obviously well! So glad that things are working for you and Patience (by name
and obviously nature) BlackHawks
187th Assualt Merry Christmas Patience - Bob 2003 CW2 (From Ft. Wolters, Tx
-) Chickenhawk
has engulfed my every spare minute for the last 3 weeks - awesome read -
thanks for bringing this book to us - all the very best for the future. Hello Bob.
Just Finished Back in the World. I currently fly civilian helicopters and
found both books to be fantastic. I must read. I can't imagine flying and
having someone shooting at me. I wish the best to you and your family. I've been
reading Chickenhawk once a year since 1987. It never fails to grab me. I'm
glad that Mr. Mason has worked through his inner war. Chickenhawk is
a classic. The reality of war was brought forth in this book. I have read
this book five times, and it keeps on getting better and better. Thank you Loved
Chickenhawk so much, have read it 7 or 8 times. Have asked Santa to bring me
either an autographed copy or Video tape. Recently read "Back in the
world". Couldn't hardly put it down. Great Job!! I have some stick time
in R-22 and LongRanger. Have lots of hours hanging out shooting stills, video
or 16/35mm film. Shoulder mount or Tyler Mount. Many thanks for the hours of
enjoyment. Hello Robert,
I read your book several times and have been trying to find your next
edition. Finally tonight I have found it, thanks to the internet! I loved
Chickenhawk and as my family were about to take off on a chopper at the Great
Ocean Road I asked the pilot was he familiar with 'Chickenhawk'. He was so I
was sure he was a good pilot. We discussed the later book and now I can pass
on details. Thankyou for Chickenhawk and your other books. Regards Dave
White. (www.glenrowan1880.com) I have just
finished this most addictive and enthralling book Chickenhawk! Rob Mason
writes a truly heart rendering account of what it must have been like to
suffer the Vietnam War as an Army Helicopter aviator. The narrative pulls the
reader into the life of Rob Mason and his fellow helicopter pilots and shares
the horrific experience which must have been jungle warfare. Thanks Rob for
an exciting read. I too wish you the very best and hope and pray the future
proves to be a successful one. I for one will be looking for more books with
Rob Masons name on the top as it guarantees an exciting experience, Thank
you! After having
read more than a dozen books on LRPs & other grunts in VN it is very
enlightening to read about their transit service. Hard to put Chickenhawk
down & was sad to reach the end. As an ex-Navy "airdale" I feel
kinship with any military flyer. Hope your life remains on the level track
and you're enjoying success as author, photographer, etc. Don Hi Bob, I read
both "Chickenhawk" and "CH: Back in the World." Somehow,
I even got up the gumption to call you one day and, to my surprise, you
answered the phone! This was back in 1988 or 1989 I believe. We talked for a
few minutes and I asked you if "Chickenhawk" would be made into a
movie. You replied that you did not like the direction it was going for a
movie and so scrapped the idea. I appreciated your time and I was glad that
you were doing OK. I can't tell you how many people that I got to read your
book. Take care and good luck to you and Patience. Hello Mr
Mason. I have just finished reading Weapon for the fourth time and am about
to read Chickenhawk for the fifth time. I'd just like to say that these books
are two of the finest pieces of literature I have ever had the pleasure of
reading. Both
'Chickenhawk' books were incredible. The 'Solo' books, on the other hand, are
classics. Actually, I think the 'Chickenhawk' books are also, if not more so.
Enough sucking up, please write more books, Robert. About anything! Hi Mr. Mason
,I'm a 52 yr.old pesioner, found your book Chickenhawk when it was first
publised,I lent it out to a coworker and never did get it back until I found
another about 4 years ago, I am curently in the 13th. chapter of your book
Chickenhawk where I am into the 4th time of reading it.My heart and Prayers
to those still unaccounted for.Your book has inspired me to read other
Helicopter novels,Taking Fire by Ron Alexander&CharlesW;.Sasser,and
Firebirds , by Chuck Garlock of whitch I have a great interest in.Now I'm
going to do my best in finding your other novels, I am saddened to see that
they're now NOT in print anymore , I'm going to do my darnedest to find,
although I did see the movie Solo .And now just have to get and read your
books.Best wishes to you and your Family . and once again Thank You for some
Great Reading . Zryder I just
finished reading Chickenhawk for the second time. Since the first time I read
it, I started working as a software developer for flight simulation and
flight training which has given me a new appreciation for your skill and
experience. Your accounts of flying in confined spaces are extraordinary. Mr. Mason, I
am half way through Ckickenhawk and I just wanted to say that it's such an
amazing account of your service in Vietnam. Surely it's been said often but
there's a real warmth to your story. I read a lot of war history but yours is
high among the best. Congratulations on taking a real life trial and
transforming it into fascinating and stimulating reading. Bob, just a
quick note of thanks for your advice on writing, even my theripist thought it
was good for me to deal with some things. I'm not completley there(you know
edit, edit, edit)lol. My site will be up on Dec. 7th. Thought it would be a
fitting day. I'll send the link. Thanks for the encouragement. Sgt Tet Vet Brilliant
Book. Unfortunetly unavalaible in my country now.I hope that one day there
will be new polish edition. Bob, Your book
was givin to me as a gift from my eighth grade teacher about 5 years ago
after she noticed I had a great interest in helicopters. later that year I
had a friend bring his Huey gunship and a light observation heli to school. I
am about 2 weeks from 18 and almost out of high school, next stop is heli
pilot school. your book was and still is a great inspiration to not only me,
but many people around the world. I love the way you describe everything,
expescially your trainging. please drop me a line at helifrek@aol.com I'll be
looking forward to hearing from you. thank you for your time, Brandon No way!..I've
found you! Robert Mason. I owe you my gratitude. Having never read books as a
child, teenager and adult, I reluctantly received your book
"Chickenhawk" as a Christmas gift nearly 4 years ago. That book
changed my life. Totally absorbing - so much so that I finished the book in
the blink of an eye, something that I had never done before. The power of
this book inspired me to read more about the Vietnam conflict and to date I
have read just about everything Amazom.com has to offer! Last year I visited
Vietnam and having read so much about the place it was like putting live
pictures to what authors like you have written about with such passion and
brutality. Absolutely amazing! I am going back there this Christmas. I have
just had your book returned to me after giving it to all my friends to read
and thought I'd quickly read the first few pages - 7 chapters later and I
can't put it down! Second time round is even more interesting especially
having read other books about the conflict. Didn't realise you were involved
in the 1/7 Cav at LZ XRAY (dramatised in the Mel Gibson film "We Were
Soldiers Once...and Young"). Any way, I just wanted to say a big THANK
YOU for writing this book and kick-starting my passion for reading. Cheers. I read
"Chickenhawk" almost 2 years ago and can't stop thinking of it. It
was so different from other war novels... I was very happy when I found this
page and saw that you are alright. Hope one day we'll see the movie! The most
moving war narrative I have ever read, honest, shocking,insightful but also
inspiring. I wish you well Mr.Mason. Great book! As
a German Army helicopter pilot it`s a pleasure to read this horrifying and
fascinating book. Greetings from Germany! I read
chickenhawk a while ago now and its one of the best books I've ever read! You
really feel like you're right there with you, chopping the branches off the
trees with the rotors, and hearing the pings of rounds hitting your bird. An
excellent book- thank you :) Just finished
Chickenhalk. Could not put it down. My copy seems to be a fairly old edition
(from the library), and I read with interest and sympathy the "And then
what happened?" Chapter at the end. I am one of the few 'Brits' who made
it to Saigon during the conflict and although I was only there briefly it had
a lasting effect on me. I know your story up until february 1983 but I need
to know more. How are you now? I suppose I should look at your web site and
maybe I will find out. However I have just this minute found it and was so
pleased I wanted to get to the guest book straight away and leave a message. Fantastic
book, feel I could fly a helecopter after reading it, well done Darrell Bob, read
Chickenhawk when it was first released here in the early eighties. To say it
had a profound effect would be a huge understatement! I was 18 and full of
the 'romance' of war - your realities shook me and changed those views
forever. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me and putting me on the
'right' track. Hi Bob. Just
fininished reading Ckickenhawk and was greatly moved by the story . I had a
New Zealand Vietnam vet working for me as a contractor in the early 80s who
ended up having to sell his business because of the flashbacks and the agent
orange damage to him and his new born child. Your book gave me a greater
understanding of his problems . Checked for the website to see if you had one
and what happened to you . Great to hear that it turned out in the end for
you and your wife Rgd s Mr Mason, I
have read Chickenhawk several times now and I say it is the most honest,
scary, and detailed book on the war I have read. Thank you for taking the
time to explain how a helicopter works and the methods you emploted to fly
them, it brought a deeper understanding about how difficult a job it is just
to keep one in the air without the worry about what is/was going on around
you. If anyone reading this is just browsing this site, I implore you to read
this book and see some of the truth behind what went on in Nam I am really
pleased to have found this site and to hear that your family has survived
life after the war, and I send you my very best wishes for the future Mr.Mason,I
have always had a true love of Hueys..my father,in the sixties,flew the first
registered 204 into Canada for a company he was working for out of Winnipeg.On
a trip in 1988 to London,he bought me a copy of "ChickenHawk" to
read on the flight. In July of this year,my original copy was destroyed after
19 seperate reads.I just got a new copy though from my wife.Finally get to
put a pic.with the story(s).GREAT site,thanks Robert. shane_l67@hotmail.com Mr Mason, I
have just finished reading Chickenhawk and i have to say that your account of
your time in Vietnam painted a vivid picture and that the ending raised a
lump in my throat, I found your site while searching to see how things turned
out for you since the end of the book. I'm happy to know that things have
panned out in the end for you and Patience. thank you for telling your tail. Was a pleasant
surprise to get your call this AM. My caller IDer caught your phone number so
I have it already. Did not know you were in Fl too Dan Bluestar 10 65-66 I just
finished your wonderful book and it's so cool to finally see a picture of
you! Thank you google.com :) And thanks you, too, Robert: you did a GREAT job
in telling your story! Just finished
Chickenhawk it for the second time! I really wanted to see if you 'came out
in the wash', so I'm glad to find your website and to see that you and
Patience are well. The war I was thrown into also held me captive many years
after it was gone... Angola (Africa), 1988. Hi Bob, Just
finished reading your book Chickenhawk, I found it in a secondhand bookstore.
I really enjoyed your book,and really hope you have made a full recovery.
Wayne Morris, Captain (rtd) Cdn A/F. Just read your
book, "Chickenhawk", that's the type of book you can't lay down,
once you open to the 1st page. :). I was surprised to find your website and
that you have written more books. Great! Thank you Mr.
Mason for writing Chickenhawk. I am the son of a Vietnam combat veteran and
your book has helped me have a better understanding of what he endured.
Currently I am writing a book which includes being the son of a father
effected by the war. Chickenhawk along with Caputo's "A Rumor of
War" are the most insightful accounts of a terrible situation that I
will never truely be able to understand. Has been a
long time since we flew together in the 48th. Read your book a long time ago
but did not discover your web site till recently. The OOM at Phang Rang
brought back memories Dan Bluestar 10 65-66 I literally
finished "Chickenhawk" 10 minutes ago and I needed to know what has
happened since the 1st edition. Thanks for writing such a riviting story. What a great
book. As a man in my twenties, I can only imagine what it must have been
like. Bob's book makes you feel as if your with him in a bar and he's telling
you all about it Robert mason
sir, i got to hand it to you, your the best author in the world. ChickenHawk
is the best and most exciting book i have ever read. Though i haven't
actually finished it yet. i got to the last 20 pages or so, and my sister
took it off me because i creased one of the pages. Damn her! Anyway's im glad
to see your life is back together. Best of luck. micheal. WOW! robert. i
read you chickenhawk book. i gotta say, it's one of the best books i've read.
I don't realy read much books but i came to read yours and i got stuck into
it straight away. You made a good choice to write that book. Wow, I just
googled your name and found your site! I bought your book (Chickenhawk) a few
years ago, but did'nt have a chance to finsih it. Needless to say I am
re-reading it now and enjoying every page. I read somewhere that a veteran of
a war stated that if he knew he would have survived the combat that he would
have enjoyed himself.Hindsight is indeed 20/20. Im glad to know you
"came through" all right and will submit anther entry when I finish
your book. Read
Chickenhawk twice. I think I can fly a Huey now,love the book. Feels like I
was ther with you. Robert,
ChickenHawk is like a great movie in print, I read it three to four times a
year. I hope all is well with you Patience and Jack. Dear Mr Mason
My name is Robert Flanagn im 15 i live near Melbourne, Australia and i have
read your book 'chickenhawk'nearly 20 times,it is the most inspireing thing i
have ever picked up! i just cant stop identifying with you, you are seriously
and older version of me! i even want to join the army and become a chopper
piolet. i feel like i am closest friends with you and Resler, Riker,
Ringknocker, Conners and alll the rest of the boys. i even named my dog
'mason'!Patience sounds like a beautiful person. do you still fly? Mr Mason i
would be so honored if you good possibly write me at
victor28@vic.australis.com.au, honestly i cant even believe im even writting to
you! i hope you and patience are well and i would love to talk to you. Love
and admiration always, Bob Flanagan I have just
read chickenhawk for the 7th time and the fact that i have found your site is
very suprising, i have wanted for years to be able to just say that i and
everyone i know are very proud of you and all the other vets and you have
really changed the way i looked at things over the past few years, to me you
are like other peoples michael jordans and shaq's, your book is probably the
best book i have ever read and i have heard that from alot of different
people too. I really hope everything is going well for you both and im so
glad i could finally tell you that your an inspiration. Hello Robert,
I am a 40 year old male. I can't even remember exactly how it was I picked up
Chickenhawk the first time - I think at the library. It was one of the
greatest reads I have ever had and I am an avid reader of many types of
fiction and non-fiction (contemporary and classic). I often read stories of
war and combat because they show the great depths of the human spirit and
often capture ordinary people as they are thrust into extraordinary
circumstances. Your story did all this and more and with such a style that it
is hard to quantify or express - I only know that when I read your story, I
am there when you went to flight school and I am in that cockpit with you and
the world around me slips away as I am transported to Vietnam and experience
combat that is so real I have to snap back into my world when I lay the book
down. Your writing has a style and ease that transports the reader into your
world and lets us fully observe and understand that reality. I am so glad you
made it back from the war and found your true calling which was to write
these incredible stories. I found "Chickenhawn Back In The World"
to be just as absorbing - another GREAT work - I've read both books many
times. Every so often (perhaps every year or so) I pull them down off of my
shelf and give them another read. The enjoyment has not diminished yet - they
are timeless classics. I rate you right at the top of my list as one of my
favorite authors. I hope you have enjoyed financial success from your work
and have had time to enjoy your family and life in general. I know from
reading the second book that your life had many struggles after Vietnam and I
hope it has all worked out after your success as an author. You deserve it as
you gave so much in service to your country and because you have brought so
much enjoyment to so many of your readers. I wish you and your family the
best. I am an avid
reader of military history of all kinds. When my boyfriend (a helicopter
pilot here in SA) suggested I read Chickenhawk I jumped at the chance. It is
one of the finest books I have ever read and the best on Vietnam. Thank you
for the experiences. Hi Robert. I
wish I'd found this website sooner! I first read Chickenhawk 7 or 8 years ago
and I re-read it at least twice a year. Like so many other people, I just
couldn't put it down. Chickenhawk has every element of humanity in it. (I
guess that war is the medium in which all facets of human behaviour are shown
in their extremes.) I didn't realise you had written other books, but will be
going to my local bookstore to place an order tomorrow morning! Chickenhawk
is not only the best autobiographical book I have ever read; it is also, in
my opinion, one of the best books I have ever read, period. I look forward to
reading your other works. I remember
Chickenhawk being a cult book in my regiment back in the eighties. However I
didn't get to read it then, I just finished it last night. I could not put
your book down Bob and I now realise why all the lads in my squadron where
always arguing about who was next to read it. I am glad to see that you are
making a life for yourself now and I wish you every success in the future.
Martin Chickenhawk
was the first military history book I read some time back, and it's still the
best in my opinion. Mr. Mason as the gift of allowing someone such as myself
too young to know or remember Vietnam to actually feel as if you're there
experiencing these events with him. Chickenhawk, and its excellent sequel,
are marvels of storytelling not to be missed. Thank you, Mr. Mason, for being
brave enough to share your story with us. I've just
finished rereading Chickenhawk again for the second time and thought i'd do a
search on the web to see if there was any info about what happened to you and
your family after you returned to the US. I was so pleased to see you had
written other books, so looking forward to reading them (they will make good
xmas pressies). Thank you for your insight to your experiences in Vietnam. I first read
Chickenhawk on a holiday to the U.S. when I was about 14 years old. The book
effected me to such a degree, that I forwent many days sightseeing whilst
attempting to finish it and has provided much food for thought ever since. I
recently bought a copy for a friend and he discovered your website. The
honesty of your writing and the courage and strength that both you and your
wife must have needed to fight the battles you faced long after the war had
ended, are quite remarkable. I've just
finished rereading Chickenhawk again for the fifth time and thought i'd do a
search on the web to see if there was any info about what happened with your
life after you came home. I didn't realise you had written any other books,
looking forward to reading them. Thankyou for your work in Vietnam and also
for being able to give some insight into what it was like. Thank God
attitudes have changed and Vets now seem to be getting the support and
gratitude they deserve. Just finished
Chickenhawk Mr Mason.......Thankyou Mr. Mason,
Chickenhawk was one of the best books that I have read on Vietnam. Your
courage and strength during and after the war provide a great example to all
who read this book. I am in the Navy and look to you as a mentor.
poloe2002@yahoo.com I have read
your book, Chickenhawks, several times and always wondered what happened to
the author. Only this book was published in Poland so I didn't have any more
information than that in the book. I decided to look on the internet and I
was nicely surprised. I am rally happy that your life turned out so great. I
wish you and your wife all the best. "Recovering
from the War" by Patience Mason Hello, I am in great search of this
book. I have an old friend that I would like to get this book for him, since
he served 2 tours in Vietnam in the Marine Corps.....1967 & 1968,,,, Is
there ANY way possible that I may obtain a copy of this book? Thank you in
advance, Leslie A. Bumgardner p.s. I have been to MANY book stores and they
tell me that I cannot even order it... Please respond to LABpeace@cs.com [You can order it online: www.patiencepress.com or by phone:1-877-PATIENCE (during normal business hours) ed.] I'm half way
through chichenhawk its a great book i've been reading it non'stop. Im glad i
thought to look you up and stumble across this site. I like the pics u put
up...its good to see what u were talking about. Are u planning on putting
more pictures up? I also agree that we should have taken real estate over
there. There is a documentary movie on the air mobile 1st cav u might be
interested in. Its at the tradition military videos. Bob, Chickenhawk
is next on the list, after "Last Wolf Home". I flew the C-7A
Caribou for the Air Force out of Vung Tau, 1966-67. We were assigned to the
61st Avation Bat. from Aug 66 to Jan 67. This was a political move by the Air
Force who thought the Caribou was too big for the Army. Do you know of any
books written about the "Bou" similar to yours? Dear Mr.
Mason,I am currently starting to read your book CHICKENHAWKand sir,I just
wanted to say that so far it is a really great book.I also read your 2nd book
''CHICKENHAWK-LIFE AFTER VIETNAM''and Wow,I could'nt put it down,so detailed
and very informative.I want to personally meet you in person and own a copy
of CHICKENHAWK.Your story would make a great movie sir.Jim. Mr. Mason
thank you for a great book and your story. You book has been with me from
high school 13 years ago and into the Army thru every duty station
deployment. After 9 or so years of being a ground guy I became a helicopter
pilot and still find the book as great as ever. Thanks again. Welcome Home
sir. Robert, I have
read your book, "Chicken Hawk" and I loved it... I was stationed in
DA Nang, I was an F4-E Crew Chief and loved every minute of it... I am just
thankful to have made it back to our great nation in one piece... Many of my
friends did not... Thank you so much for your support in the Viet Nam
conflict... Harry I first read
Chickenhawk in 1987 and I as very moved by it to say the least. My dad is a
Vietnam vet and he visited not long after I finished reading it and needless
to say when he saw it on my bookshelf, he read it in one night. He did 2
tours in Vietnam and although he talked a little bit about what he saw, I can
only begin to understand what he went thru after reading your book. He has
since passed away (1999). I saw Blackhawk Down last night and it got me
thinking about your book again so I thumbed thru it but i'll probably read it
in full again. Thanks for a great book. I look forward to ordering the
documentary. just finished
chickenhawk. very harrowing reading but also full of dark humour. one of the
best books about the vietnam war, alongside "if i die in a combat
zone". I just
finished watching "Flight Line: The Army Helicopter Pilots of
Vietam". Awesome documentary!!! I really enjoyed it. I ordered it in Jan
after I finished "CHICKENHAWK". It came just in time....I begin
Warrant Officer Flight Training in 7 days. The book and the video have been a
great "motivator". I would be satisfied if I could just become half
the aviator as you guys were. Well done! Thankyou Sir. sweet kisses I just
finished reading Chickenhawk as part of the required reading for my
"Vietnam: history and culture" class for school. I only wish all of
the required reading was as thought provoking and clear as Chickenhawk. Thank
you Mr. Mason for sharing your life so candidly. Your book truly gave me a
better understanding of the dynamics of the Vietnam War and life in general.
Sincerely, Ryan Mayfield Student, California Lutheran University Eat my shorts.
(Bart Simpson) Thank you from
the bottom of my heart for sharing so much. I wish you the best. Hi, bob, a
friend gave me your book and I read it five time back to back. I have read a
lot of books about war and yours rates at the top. the bravery of your
friends and the boys that rode in you hueys are unbelievable. I salute you
all and wish you well. i love your
book!! CHICKENHAWK that is. i havent read any of the others. my father was a
doorgunner in vietnam and it was really neat to kind of egt an idea of what
he was doing. i am a 15 year old girl, so that goeas to show that book was
great!! i love it so much! and when i saw that you had a site with pictures
you had talked about in the book i thaught it was great!! it almost braught a
tear to my eye to see you and the people you talked about in the book!! thank
you so much!! bye!! Great to find
you website. I'd picked up Chickenhawk a few years ago and just read it. A
great story of your maturation as a helicopter pilot in war, and the idiocy
we were involved with in Vietname. But at the end of the book, I was very sad
that you were still suffering from PTSD and it seemed to have ruined your
love of flying and the natual abilities you had honed in Vietnam. Finding
your website was a great relief--you've pulled out of the downward spiral and
have been able to build a good life. I also read Patience' website--her work
with PTSD is wonderful and I agree with her sometimes skepticism towards the
trained professionals. I hope you are able to fly again and share your
natural ability for it with others. Mr. Mason, I
found Chickenhawk while stationed at Redstone Arsenal, AL. during AIT nearly
20 years ago. I don't know how you could have put up with the heat and
humidity in Alabama. Being from Montana, it nearly killed me. Anyway,
Chickenhawk kept me going after classes and made me appreciate why I joined
the Army. Thanks for the great book. Mark WOW !! Much
respect to Yourself and those who served with you.I read your book
Chickenhawk 20 times ! i recomend it to all I know Chickenhawk
was a great book. I could not put it down and will recommend it to all my
friends. We should all thank Mr. Mason and all of the other veterans for the
sacrifices they have made for our great country. Dear Robert,
we operate an ex Vietnam Huey which we acquired from the Ethiopian army. It
served in Nam from 1967 to 1974. Thereafter it was refurbished in Texas, and
sold on to the Ethiopians. Its been completely restored, and in pristine
flying condition. Come and see us in Cape Town, and relive your Huey
experiences. Chickenhawk was great, and we look forward to meeting you
someday. Best regards. Read
Chickenhawk for the first time in about 85. After reading it I was convinced
I could fly a Helicopter without a lesson! Yours is the only book I have ever
bought three times, (Twice second hand - sorry) as I kept loaning it out and
not getting it back! I will pass my last copy on to my son this year.
Regards, I barrowed a
copy of your book Chickenhawk from a friend of mine. I thoroughly enjoyed
reading this book. I was very happy to see you had a wed sight. The ending to
Chickenhawk left me wondering how things turned out for Patience and
yourself. I am glad to see you have more books on the market and I look
forward to reading more of your work. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Quint Lindsay I have a love
of helicopters and my wife got Chickenhawk for me as a present on the
recommendation from her brother. Reading books is not something that
interests me, however this book was different. I was left questioning
humanity and how we can treat people the way we do in war. I found myself
shocked at the ending of the book and needed to find out more. This website
has pointed me in the direction of your other books. I am now left with so
many questions I feel I need to ask. Thank you I finished the
book last evening (last 2 chapters). Afterwards, I sat there trying to sort
through my feelings. I think the scary thing is....At the end of your tour,
you were seeing and feeling the same things that I felt my entire second
tour. I also saw/noticed a lot of parallels between us. If I could say one
thing to you and all the other chopper pilots, it would be... "Screw you
for taking me to places that scared me to death.....and.....THANK YOU for the
chow, the ammo, the water and for the lifts out of those shitty places".
Hope yousomehow finds some peace. P.C. Hotel Co, 2nd Bn 3rd Marines. Charlie
Co, 1st Bn, 26th Marines. Dear Robert, I
have just picked a copy of Chicken Hawk. I am about to start reading and I
just thought I would look up your website and drop a line. I will respond to
the book on completion. I would like to have access to your video library as
admitadely I am not realy someone who reads a lot. But believe me this book I
can complete no problem as it seems very interesting. I have recently started
flying the UH-1 Heuy as we operate helicopters from the V&A waterfront in
Cape Town. We take tourist on extreme flights with the choppers and this has
become extremely popular. What a lovely machine. I will send you some photos
shortly just for you to have a taste of your old memories. I will remain in
contact. Regards DEREK GERTZEN Great Design
and useful information. I will be back soon! As you can
see, Chickenhawk was just published in the UK, and seems to be a success.
Your book is, among other things, a timely reminder of what war means. It's a
shame military planners are so removed from the human costs, perhaps they
should read your book too. Before picking
up Chickenhawk I had no prior interest in the Vietnam war, but this book has
completely opened my eyes. It is so absorbing and personal that as soon as
I'd finished the last sentence I wanted to get on the internet and find some
further information on you. I was over the moon to find this site. You've
made me realise how much we owe to all our war veterans. Thank you Thank you for
the honesty in your book. I can't help but wonder though if some of the
readers have missed the point that you hammer home in it. What a stuff-up
that war was! That statement takes nothing from the courage of the men who
fought in Vietnam. They served their respective countries and should never
have been treated as they were when they returned. They did their duty as the
were asked to and saw it. But what would have happened if the idiots in
charge had not let technology rule their tactics, had not had the attitudes
of the Civil War generals and had fought the enemy on his own terms and then
used their God-given technolgy as a support, not a reason for being. Has any
American ever wondered why the NVA and the VC kept away from the province controlled
by the Australians? Why the VC high command gave orders to 'avoid the round
eyes with the long rifles(reference to the FN-FAL SLR carried by the
Australians)?Two generations of jungle fighting without the firepower of the
US. Melt into the jungle like the VC and ambush, ambush, ambush. But the US
brass wouldn't listen. Anyway, we are supporting you in Afghanistan and Iraq
as we always do and always will. We are small, but we never forget our mates. 02/07/03
Thanks for sharing so much with others! My own husband is a Vietnam veteran
that was over there when it first started in 1965 and they were told not to
write home and say anything about what was going on at that time. My husband
was 19 years old then and in the U.S. Marine Corps. He ended up extending
over in Vietnam for a total of 16 months in country. Thanks to all veterans
who have served our country in time of need and in time of non-war. I just wanted
to add: My Total and utter respect for veterans of all conflicts, My pop
especially, Robert Mason, you have done a great Justice with this book
(Chickenhawk) if only a small number of people read this and come away with
the same feeling i did - then you've done your job well Respect :) Hi there, Jsut
came across this website after i got my copy of Weapon back from a
friend...T'd never thought of looking you up on the web for some reason, but
I'm glad i did :) My dad introduced me to ChickenHawk when i was younger...i
have read it over four times, it is deffinately one of my favourite books,
one of the only books i've ever read that has touched me in such a personnal
way. Ive never been in a combat situation, and hopefully never will, bu
ChickenHawk made me feel like i knew exactly what you were feeling - a
literary masterpiece in every sense - thank you :) Hi, I was just
browsing for an example of the NMS Guestbook and ended up at your site. :o) Bob, I am just
reading Back in the world for the third time. I first got introduced to
Chickenhawk many years ago by a family friend who was a big fan of
helicopters. After reading it a few dozen times, and recommending it to
everyone I know, I did a web search and found out about the second part. Took
months of web searching until I finally found an ex - library copy out of
Idaho!! Great books, you truly are an inspiration and a model for those who
fought the war in Vietnam. I hope the rest of your life proves to be less
traumatic than the past!! Truly
magnificent read and what an insight into the Vietnam War. Did a web search
on your name and there you are - thankyou for the book and thankyo for you
endeavours and sacrifices in Vietnam and elsewhere Phil Read
CHICKENHAWK few years ago & been one of my favourites ever since. One of
the best books of the Vietnam war i've ever read. The best really! It left me
with questions about you & Patience & then i came across Back to the
World. Another superb read & answered some of those questions but still
left you & Patience with some.Coming across your site. i'm pleased to see
that you have found your niche, both of you. Patience is well named! Enjoyed
the online Gallery, Preacher, Restler & co, seemed like seeing old
friends. Saw a programme on TV tonite here in England about the dear old Huey,
Beautiful,& thought i'd pop your name on screen & see what it came up
with. Glad i did. Carry on with life Bob & you Patience,no doubt by doing
as you have done, you've helped others in a similar situation. Best wishes
for the future to both of you. No more Mirrors! I recently
found a copy of your book and plopped down for a read. What an eye opener it
was for me. When this war was going on I was just an infant in 1966. My uncle
bob jordan was with the marines in 1965/1966 in vietnam also with the navy on
the USS Long Beach thru 1977 and I was always hopeful he would tell me of his
expierience while over in nam, Now I know why he has never to this day never
so much as said a word. He is my hero and will always be my hero as you are
and all the other vets are. If I had only 1 wish in my life it would not be
for a million dollars ot would be for all vets to be healed although when I
think about it your books go a long distance in the ongoing healing. God
Bless You and yours. Sincerely, Jeffrey A. Garcia Just started
"Chickenhawk". Great job! I just
finished reading CHICKENHAWK. This is by far the best book I have ever read
about Vietnam (I have read many). The ending left me .....well, my mouth just
kinda hung wide open. I knew it couldn't end there. I am so glad I found your
website! Well done. I have learned so much from your book. Thank you. I just
finished college and will be leaving for Army Warrant Officer Flight Training
in 32 days. God bless all of you who served. Welcome home, Sir. Hello Robert.
I just wanted to say that I am a big fan of your writing and am glad to see
the wonderful job that you have done on your website. I first read
"Chickenhawk" in the 1980's when I was go working at the
circulation desk at a local library and going to college. To this day it
remains my favorite book of all time. I must have recommended it to hundreds
of people who came in to the library and asked me, "Can you recommend a
good book?" I would always answer, "Do I! Chickenhawk!" Since
then I have read almost every biographical book to come out about the Vietnam
War and in my humble opinion Chickenhawk is still the best. To those
interested "Taking Fire" by Ron Alexander and "The Price of
Exit" by Tom Marshall are a close second in dealing with the helicopter
pilot's war. I really hope and pray that Chickenhawk can be made into a
motion picture film one day soon. I truely believe that this story would be a
block buster academy award winning film in the hands of the right director.
Maybe you can use your connections with Harrison Ford and others to get the
ball rolling? I met him once at a test screening for "Air Force
One" and he is a very nice man. I have also read your book SOLO and
found it very enjoyable. Unless I am mistaken has this already been made into
a motion picture starring Mario Van Peebles by the same title? All the best
to you and your family. May God bless all the members of the 1st Air Cav who
made it back and especially those who didn't. we owe a great debt of
graditude to our veterans who have laid it all out on the line so that we may
enjoy our freedoms. If evil flourishes when good men do nothing I am greatful
that our country has men like you who DID do something in in a most difficult
and uncertain time. Thank you and God bless. P.S.- For anyone interested
please check out the many veteran's voice chat rooms at www.paltalk.com The
program is free to download and all you need is a PC microphone and speakers
to join in on the conversations. The stories you will hear will make you
appreciate our veterans even more. I read the
book,lent to me by my dad,10 years ago,it's never been returned (I dont think
he minds!)every so often I read it again,then last summer I gave it to my 15
year old son to read (trying to put him off from joining the forces-that
didnt work!)He loved the book, It is so nice to have found this website and
see the photos of a world you described so well and with such honesty-
thankyou Hi Robert!
Finaly i have found the website that will truly stay among my favourites.
Maybe you dont remember this, but in the autumn 1997 i sent you my copy of
CHICKENHAWK which you signed for me.....this book has been read by me about
6-7 times by now, just because its one of the best books by far i have ever
read about helicopters (which are my passion). It has also given a valuable
insight in the life during the Vietnam War for me who wasnt even born yet by
then. Great work Mason!! Youre an inspiration to many! /Daniel ChickenHawk is
my favorite book, ever. Although I doubt you'll ever read this, I just want
to know, you are by far, one of my greatest authors, and I totally respect
what you did out there, and how sensitive, and yet so, well, bluntly funny
you saw the war. I read sci-fi
and fantasy books because I am fed up with the state of real life. I like to
escape into a pretend word and forget about the problems that we face. For a
few hours every day it is bliss. When Chickenhawk was loaned to me, after I
expressed an interest in wanting to learn how to fly a helicopter, I faked an
interest and left it on my book shelf for several months. What did I care
about Vietnam? It was a war years ago, so what? I am ashamed to admit it but
that was what I thought. I reluctantly picked up the book and started to
read. A few weeks later I gave it back to my friend. I had studied the content
throughly, reading parts of it over several times. That was three years ago.
I am now the proud owner of my own copy which I finished reading today. I can
never fully imagine what it must have been like for you there but you have
helped me along the way. I am now scouring both the net and my library for
material as I now have a genuine intereat in learning more of that period in
your life Which I cared so little about. I am glad to see that you are doing
better now. Did you keep in contact with any of the others? How are they
doing? Thank you for opening my eyes. I've been
working hard promoting my site lately and checking out what others have done.
It's great to see others as passionate about their site as I am about mine.
My site is about jokes and humor. If you visit it, I hope you enjoy it. Dear Mason
family, thanks for road to understanding and appreciating the men and women
who were involved in the Vietnam war.I have just reread Chickenhawk,the first
time being in the 8o's, and again my eyes were opened.Thanks for letting me
and countless others see that war for what it really was. How did you go with
your appeal in 84? Fondest regards to you and yours Andrew Salmon Dear Mr Mason,
I have stumbled over your webpage, searching for information on vietnam. Then
the title "Solo" caught my attention. "Solo" or
"Todesbefehl" (Death Order) as which it was published in Germany,
was the first "sci-fi" book I have ever read. At least, I was
thinking about it as "sci-fi" back in 1994. I was quite astounded
to find the website of the author of one of my favourite books while
searching for information about the vietnam war. And just after finding your
webpage, I went to my cellar and went looking for my
"treasure-chest", a 1m*50cm*50cm walnut-wood box I inherited from
my grandfather, which contains each and every sci-fi book I have ever gotten
my hands on. As I am writing this entry into your guestbook, Solo is entering
N.Y.C. and will soon encounter the helpful lady which I can't remember by
name. Dear Mr Mason, thank you very much for - unwillingly - reminding me,
how important it is to read a book at some times. I have not done so in the
last year, moving from one appartment to another and trying to find a job. To
you and your family the very best. And I hope, I really hope, there will be a
new body for Solo - and Nimrod - some day. Maybe you could create one... ;)
Yours sincerely Sebastian Schneider Chickenhawk is
a real bullet! Couldn't drop it out of my hands until I've finished it. I was looking
for used books when I saw this site (I'm a real used books junky). Anyway I
didn't read yet any of your books, but I will most certainly going to read
one soon. Good Luck with the site!! Dear Mr Mason
I have just finished re-reading your book for the second time after
re-discovering it after a gap of 20 years. Fortunately, with the advent of
the internet, this time I can tell you how much it has moved me. I watched
the Vietnam war on British TVin the 60s as a teenager (I was born in 1954)
and thought it looked a great adventure. I never, at the time, thought of the
human cost. I first read you book after joining the Royal Air Force and,
although it made think, the arrogance of youth still would not let me feel
the full impact. Having re-read it now, the impact has been immense. I am not
ashamed to say I cried at the end. Not just for what was in the book, but for
my friends that have been lost and wounded, both in body and mind, in
Northern Island, the Falklands Conflict, the Gulf War and in training. The
waste in human lifes, whether on 'our' side or 'theirs', is unimaginable.
With the world still lurching from one conflict to the next, books like yours
need to be out there. Thanks again and best wishes Lee Ward I have read
you book three times now and never get tired of it, , because I hang around
the Flying fraternity , both Helicopter and fixed wing I get to hear people
rave on about just how good the book is . You have a war classic thats shows
the terrible side of human conflicts and also the insight and truth to what
it can do to people , you are to be congratulated . I thank you for sharing
the experiences and hope never to ever have to go through anything remotely
like what you have been through . Regards from Alan Craddock I have just
finished reading Chickenhawk for what must be the twentieth time. It has
always been a favourite of mine....in fact no THE favourite book of mine
ever. I must have had 15 copies but always end up lending them out or giving
them away. Glad to see that things are working out fine for you now Bob. All
the best Anthony Louch. Like the
previous visitor I just finished "ChickenHawk" which was lent to me
by a friend, and yes, it is one of the best books I have read, certainly the
best book about Vietnam. Glad to see you are still active and your work is
recognised. All the best to you and your family. A friend of
mine lent me his copy of Chickenhawk after calling it "the best book he
has read". I just finished it last night and I knew I had to get on the
internet first thing this morning to see what had happened to you since 1983.
Wonderful work and I am glad to see that you appear to be keeping well! Mr.Mason,I
have just finished reading ChickenHawk for the Fifth time and I suddenly
realized you might have a website.I wanted to tell you thanks for your
service to this country and for all your sacrifices that you and your family
had to indure.I Have a technical question I hope you can help me with,I'm a
profesional scale model builder and I model mainly Vietnam helicopters,Ihave
been in touch with the National Vietnam Veterns Museum in Texas to volunter
my modeling and exhibit building skills and want to build a diorama based on
the helicopter you flew,however I need to know how it was marked(tail
number,nose art etc..)any help you can give would be greatly
appreciated.Thanks again for a wonderful book.Sincerly Keith Lovern Bob, I decided
to scribble a few words here just in case you don't receive my email. Your
example inspired me to keep writing and it finally paid off (not in lots of
money, but the satisfaction of getting published.) Drop me a line, okay? Hi Robert. I
read Chickenhawk about 10 years ago at University and I have just ordered a
copy to read again. It was unreal and rivetting. I read 'Taking Fire' by Ron
Alexander and this got my interst going of Vietnam helicopter pilot stories.
I would love to get a copy of Back in the World: Life After Vietnam. Is 'used
books' the only place that has a copy. It is a sad
commentary on contemporary conditions (or my incipient paranoia) that I had
to think long and hard about whether I was prepared to accept the
responsibility implied in leaving a message here. I finally decided that it
would be an act of intellectual dishonesty not to do so. I have now read
Chickenhawk twice in full, and am re-embarking on 'Back in the World'. Apart
from their honesty and compassion for all victims of the Vietnam War, the
works stand as literature of an extremely high order, and, IMO, will remain
highly significant in the future. The flatness of affect in witnessing the
evidence of the atrociousness of the war is more convincing than the details
of any external report or official history I have ever read. The strenuous
effort of 'Back in the World' to demonstrate that the tragic effects of this
witnessing last for many years after the end of the conflict is a lesson
which, sadly, the world still needs to learn. I fully endorse the comments
made by some visitors that all bellicose legislators of all nations should be
forced to read 'Chickenhawk'. I would further add that all people with
extensive shareholdings in the so-called 'defence industry' should also be
induced to vicariously experience the ultimate consequences of their industry
in this way. Of course, this will never happen, and, even if it did, it would
make no difference anyway, as the world is apparently preparing to
demonstrate once again. As we await, with tears already in our hearts if not
our eyes, yet another returning of bewildered and brutalised veterans from a
questionably-motivated foreign conflict, it may be some consolation in the
months ahead to know that the message of these two magnificent books has not
gone wholly unheeded...except in the quarters where it might make some
difference. And, in short, the best and most off-putting books about war
since 'The Good Soldier Svejk'. Thank you from my family and myself, Mr.
Mason, for sparing us so very little of the story... Hello Bob and
Patience, Hope all is well with you and yours. Happy Holidays from the Bergs.
Sincerely, Jack I read your
book while I was preparing to go through Warrant officer/Aviator School, Ft.
Rucker, '85; Made it through, can attest that your book is accurate re:
WOEC/Flt.School; The book had a lot of meaning for me; Thks. Steve I read
chickenhawk when i was 14... Im about to read it again... Im now 27. Hope to
see more images if you have any, Richard. Intrigued.... I'am about
half way through Chickenhawk and just cant put it down.An amazing story. A
real insight to what it was like. Bob, you are a true hero I've read
Chickenhawk about fifteen years ago, and then again another couple of times.
I found your name also in Hal Moore and Joe Galloway's "We were
soldiers...." and today I found your site!. Useless for me to say that
yours is one of the best books on Vietnam and on flight that one can buy. I
did not know that you had written more books, as I live in Rome. Well, I'll
get them. Thanks, Bob! Just found
your web sight while looking for info regarding filing PTSD claim. USMC, 1st
Engineer Battalion, 1stMarDiv, Chu Lai 1966. I will pick up books, Viet Nam
stuff is still tough to get through. looks like you have done good work. Only a vet can
write with humor on a subject of such sadness. It was the unspoken words
between the written lines of this book that really showed the war. One
Soldier,Once a Warrior King, good books but not as emotionally charged as
Chickenhawk.what a powerfull story. Mr Mason you have been through something
that most of us could ever trully understand. im glad you returned home so
you could share your experiences of the vietnam war.Thank you for helping us
understand the reallitys of war.im glad Patience and yourself are well. good
luck . ps. Are you still good mates with Ressler Great war
books abound, but not one can go where Chickenhawk went. I am again reading
it, and in awe of the power of the narrative even if it is the umpteenth time
I read it. I was also glad to see on these pages that you and Patience are
well these days. I would actually like to translate the book into Finnish to
get it readership over here. Well done once again! Mr. Mason, I'm
so glad to see that things have gone well for you. I first read Chickenhawk
in the early 80s and shortly thereafter joined the Army with a notion of applying
for flight training. I never made that leap, but I'm better for the whole
experience, I look back with pride on my service and hopefully have a better
appreciation for all veterans. I can't tell you how many time's I've told
people that Chickenhawk is the best book about the Vietnam war and especially
about flying. I'm thrilled to have found your website and to have browsed
through the wonderful photographs makes me want to pull Chickenhawk off the
shelf yet again. My very best wishes to you. I Frist read
your book in 1986 and have reread it once every year since.I found it to be
one of the best writen most discriptive books ive ever read.You have given me
an insight into a world and an understanding of what is was like which has
left me with a deep respect for veterans of all wars.Any polititan who sends
men into harms way should read it frist.Thank you. my best friend
jack gave me yr book and said read this.... i have never read a book like
chickenhawk - it shook me, but it rang so true - even the undramatically life
threatening night with people trying to force your hotel door open to no
doubt quietly kill you and resler..... and the experience of your return to
the US......... i just had to look on the web to see if i could trace u -
wasn't hard! hope you and yr family are well, and thank you for an amazing
insight Kia ora
Robert, Bloody hell, what a rollercoaster of a ride Chickenhawk was! Great to
see youve come out the other end! Arohanui Damian Hi Bob..It's
wonderful that you have your own website now. I was very impressed with your
picture gallery. Great pictures. I also read ChickenHawk and the one after it
as well as Patience's Recovering From the War. My hubby was there in 67'-68
with the 11th engineers and is a survivor of TET. He has PTSD too and was
just awarded 100% total and permanent rating. (funny how the VA uses the word
"Awarded") I was too young to understand Vietnam when it was happening
but I sure have received quite an education in the last few years. You and
Patience were a big part of that, helping me to understand not only what it
was like for my husband over there, but to understand what it's been like for
him here. Thank you both for all your help. You've been a lifeline. Welcome
Home!!! This past
Saturday I came across your book in a book exchange shop and recalled reading
it about 10 years ago and just had to read it again. Well, bought the book
and finished it in two days (now I remember why I couldn't put it down !!).
Chickenhawk is recommended reading to all people interested in the Vietnam
War! I just had a look at the photo's and would like to know whether or not
you might have more photo's that you could put on your site (I would love to
see what Connors looked like! All the others as well - Preachers &
Prospectors)- GREAT BOOK !! Hello Mr Mason
.I am in the middle of reading my dogeared copy of Chickenhawk for the
umpteenth time. It is by a long way the best book I have read . I always
wondered what happened to you post Vietnam and I'm glad to see everything
appears to have turned out ok .Good luck for the future hello mr
mason. i was born while you were in vietnam i first read chickenhawk in
1986,while i was a aircraft fitter with the RAAF, i worked on iroquois and
spent many hours flying in them on test flights. ill never forget the feeling
and sounds of hanging out the gunners seat while flying over queensland
countyside.ive read chickenhawk more than twenty times. i read it at least
twice a year. ive read thousands of books in my life but none more than two
or three times. i dont know why that book has affected me like it has. ive
just read back in the world for the first time and i loved it. thankyou i
hope you are well these days. Dear Mr.
Mason, I just finished reading your book 'Chickenhawk' and I feel very deeply
moved by your story. And although I wasn't born till 20 years after the war,
I'd like to say I have the deepest and utmost respect for you and everyone
who served in Vietnam. I was in the
same company, five years later! Great job. Just finished
reading Chickenhawk...a fantastic read! Thankyou, Mr. Mason, for your service
and your contribution to Vietnam War literature. You were obviously a very
gifted pilot, under the worst of conditions, and your writing is equally
superb! Just found "Back In The World" and look forward to it as
well. I was also compelled to go out and buy a model of the Huey for my office! Robert, Came
across your site in the process of chasing up a copy of of "Your Life
After" book. So glad to see all these wonderful comments on what readers
have felt after reading "CHICKENHAWK". I can only endorse them and
hope that life is good to you and your good lady. Bryan Smith "Chickenhawk"
rang true. It also made me everlastingly thankful that I didn't fly
helicopters in Vietnam. Thank you for a wonderful book. Am currently
reading Chickenhawk for the third time. First read this book many a year ago.
Have read many a Vietnam book but Chickenhawk would rate as one of the best
books written. I think one of the things that make this book such a good read
is the way the author explains different aspects of flying a helicopter. Also
the experiences he encountered during his tour. I just read
your book. It was the biggest help I have been able to find. I want to be an
Army Pilot and your book explained it all in terms even I could understand.
Thank you! Dear Mr.
Mason, Just finished re-reading "Chickenhawk," as I do every few
years. Each time, I have wondered how you are, and hoped that everything
eventually turned out all right for you. Finally occurred to me to look for
you on the WWW. Best of luck, and thank you for a great book. Bill Ducker
U.S. Army 1966-1970 Mr. Mason,
thank you for sharing your experiences. I really enjoyed your book and I look
forward to watching the documentary. Hopefully Chickenhawk will become a
movie someday as well. I wish you continued success and the happy life that
you deserve. Very impressed
by "chickenhawk", both the story and the style. It gives a great
and realistic view of actual modern combats, from the helicopter's crew. A
must read for today's politicians... War is always a terrible mess for
humanity... I had read
your book 3 times and think its one of the best and most accurate
descriptions of whats its like to fly a helicopter. My girlfriend has just
paid for me to have a trial flight in Bell 47. Right from take off the pilot
let me keep my hands and feet on the controls to get a feel for what he was
doing. Later he gave me full control while in flight. Your descriptions were
perfect I felt completly at ease as if I had been flying for years, the
sensitivity of the cyclic, the the difficulty hovering even the autorotaion
were just as you desribed it. If possible could you reconmend any other books
on the theory of flying helecopters as you have planted a seed that needs
watering. ps. did patience get the earings from the cola girl? Thank you Mr.
Mason for writing Chickenhawk, I have just finished it for the third time and
can still see the mortar/explosions. Thanks for the experience, I almost feel
like I was there. War sucks. Hear is to all that have no webpages. Dear Mr.
Mason, I got your book "Chickenhawk" as a present from a canadian
citizen while travelling through Peru back in 1982. I wrote it at least ten
times and your last sentence in the book "Nobody was more shocked than
I" shook me to the bone as well. I hope you are in good health and wish
all the best to you and your family. Hello Mr.
Mason. Im currently finishing my 2 year college degree. I was planning on
going to one of the service schools but I found your book and I changed my
mind.(Bought your other book;Back from Vietnam; Wow!) I was searching the
internet to see if you had a site and I finally found it! I'm going to turn
in my WOCS packet. Just wanted to ask you for some advice in any part of the
WOC process even though your book had so much shit. E-mail me if you can. I'd
appreciate it! Howdy, I have
just finished reading chickenhawk, WOW that was brilliant, I am a Helicopter
Instructor or IP in South Africa, This was the best book I have ever read, I
share the same pasion as you do, All I want to do is fly Helicopters, I take
my hat off to you for the courage you have. I have recommended this book to
all I know. Thanks and good luck. I just
finished reading Chickenhawk, and I must say it's one of the most engrossing
reads I've ever experienced. Bob Mason's ability to weave a tail as well as
his ability to remember even the minutest of details adds up to an excellent
book. Thanks so much for writing this book, Mr. Mason. Hi Bob Thanks
for all the support you and Patience have given have given us throughout the
last few years. Much Love Bev I was glad to
find this site and see that Mr. Mason has done well over the years. I didn't
know there was a movie with Harrison Ford called flight line! I'll have to
see if my local library has a copy. I read the book (Chicken Hawk) about 13
years ago when I was driving cab. Loved it. Read it six times. Always loved
helicopters. Loved the David Jansen movie "Birds of Prey." Hope one
of my sons wants to fly one day. I'll pay the lessons! I received
your book, Chickenhawk, as a birthday present on Monday. I finished it on
Tuesday. How could so much happen to a person in one year's time? I could
visualize everything you wrote about, so well did you describe it! Thanks for
sharing this very human experience with us all, and thanks for "being
there". My respects to all veterans. I first read
Chickenhawk when I was in high school nearly fifteen years ago IIRC after
getting thrown out of Physics for telling the teacher... well, what I told
him isn't the point :) Chickenhawk had me totally engrossed from the start
and to this day I still believe it is one of the greatest books I have ever
read. Wow! - I have
just finished Chickenhawk and it totally gripped my imagination. I have the
highest respect for you guys who went out and risked your lives on a daily
basis. Thanks for sharing your thoughts so that I could understand what a
heart-breaking waste the conflict really was. Thank you for
an inspiring, and horrifying, glimpse of the Vietnam war and its consequent
effects. The small things you saw, and then wrote about, have kept me
re-reading ChickenHawk since I bought it, and it travels around wherever I go Travesty of
Justice http://www.a101avn.org/FiveODuece.htm Sir, I salute
you. Hi Bob and
Patty, Thought of you tonight and came in here to find your site. Haven't
bumped into you in our area lately. Hope to see you sometime. I remember
reading aloud parts of your book Chickenhawk to my husband because I found it
so well written, putting me right there where things were happening. Hope
things are going well for you both. Hi Bob. I too
have lost count of the number of times I've read Chickenhawk. I finished it
again last week, and somehow I always find your book to be both exhilarating
and depressing at the same time. I still get jumpy when you're short-timing
it with the Prospectors. I can only imagine how you felt on returning home
after your tour to a nation which despised you. I for one can appreciate that
the actions of individuals can often bear no resemblance to the political
machine which put them there. Brave? You might not think so, but I certainly
do. I can only echo the sentiments put here by others. When is someone going
to make a movie of your book? Thank you for telling your story, and letting
the world know what it means to have been involved in that conflict. Thank
you for being so honest throughout. I hope that all is now well with you and
yours. Gary. Chickenhawk is
a gripping and powerful book which i have read since i bought it in 1989. A
book that you can not put down. As a military
aviator, I thoroughly enjoyed your book. I knew everyone in the book. ou'd be
amazed how many of your characters have look alikes in another coutry's
military in another time! As a military
aviator, I thoroughly enjoyed your book. YI knew everyone in the book. ou'd
be amazed how many of your characters have look alikes in another coutry's
military in another time! Great book, as
a helicopter pilot i was twiching for the controls but i am glad i was not
there. First of
all...thank you for your service to our country! I read your book while
visiting my brother back in 1985 when he was flying Chinooks out of Ft Lewis
WA. I couldnt put the book down! Finished it in 4 nites! Thanks for sharing
your experiences with the rest of us..it's good for you, and good for US! Thank's for
Chickenhawk, it remains as one of my favourite books in my small collection
and I have read it quite a few times. Hay and your other works a fine also
but are very hard to come by. Thanks again and all the best mate. As a teenager
I had a ghoulish interest in the Nam war, but in later years your excellent
"Chicken Hawk" and Michael Herr's incomparable
"Dispatches" set me on the path to reality. Bought your
book 'Chickenhawk'in 1993 while being on holiday in the US. Since that time
it is my favourite! Please keep up the good work! sincerely, Ed Beery Capt NL
Army In 1966-1967 I
was one of your support soldiers. I was in the signal corps in Thailand. 1st
sig brigade. I sure hope that my Work helped you in your mission. Gary. I've always
understood Chickenhawk to be a person who advocates military action first and
foremost but who has avoided serving in the military by whatever means
available. It would appear that you served in the miliatry and paid your
dues, so to speak. Wo, you have a right to espouse hawkish solutions or
peaceful ones without being a hypocrite. I was referred
to your book through a friend of mine. I am currently entering my packet for
WOCC, in order to become a pilot for the US Army as well. Just reading your
"teaser" gave me information on the true "inside" of what
to expect more than any public, private, or person has been able to give me.
I know that it was more than 30 years ago when you were pilot there, but the
US Army doesn't change how it trains soldiers - overall - very much. I'm
taking this book with me to share with my peers, as well as to take-to-heart
what to truly expect. I spent 7 years as an Infantry soldier first, now I get
to be pilot - wonder if you have any advice or not. Let me know. Hello Mr.
Mason, I am a student enrolled in a U.S. history course. One of my final
projects is to interview (phone or e-mail) a Vietnam veteran to find out how
the war affected their life. Do you know any veterans who would be willing to
do this? Thank you!.....Gillian Bozanic A cruel war
seen through the eyes of a brave, sensitive and compassionate man. Can't
praise Chickenhawk enough. I've read it and re-read it since 1985. You've
written an honest book, Mister Mason. My deepest respect to you &
Patience your wife. I sincerely hope you're both doing fine. Gerry GREAT WEBPAGE
FULL OF GREAT INFORMATION loved
chickenhawk and hope your nights are peaceful,all of my nco's were vietnam
vets and would only share their experience when we were on the piss.have you
caught up with any of the boys. any chance of you putting an open letter on
this website answering some of our questions?warmest regards to you and
yours. I came accross
your website quite by accident but am delighted to have found it! It has been
a few tears since I've read both Chickenhawk books. I way greatly moove by
both of them. A book that helped me even more however, was the book written
by your loveely wife Patience about Post-traumatic stress Disorder as it
pertains to Vietnam Vet. I Thank God for John making me check it out from the
Library along with Back in the World. That Nam Vet knew I was codependant
before I did! I am suprised the Patience's book isn't up on the website. It
should be! All the best, Blessings! Claire |
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