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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, ‰ºe siŸô 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 | |||
