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Firebirds by Chuck Carlock
ISBN 1-5630-197-8
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Review by Les Hines
Initially I was struck by the forward: "The best helicopter war stories
I've read..." by noted author Col. David Hackworth. To me it seemed to
pigeonhole the book as much as endorse it. I don't disagree with
Colonel Hackworth's comment, but as one who served with the Americal
Division, I found this book to be much more than war stories.
To me, Firebirds functions effectively on three different levels. One,
Firebirds provides insights to the helicopter gunship experience in
Vietnam as no other book has before. Two, Firebirds provides the first
solid coverage of the battles fought by Task Force Oregon, the Americal
Division from September 1967 through September 1968. (When these
battles were fought the press was more interested in Saigon, Hue, and
Khe Sanh.) And three, Firebirds could serve as a company history for
the 71st Assault Helicopter Company.
This is an action book and the action is gripping. Carlock follows the twelve men in his flight section that he started his tour with. All twelve earned the purple heart during their tours, except Frank Anton, who was captured by the NVA. The action is not justfor the aviation people. Chuck's perspective includes the men fighting for their lives on the ground. Carlock has added something special to the last sections. He revisited the battlefields, fire base sites, and cities in 1993 and 1995. Reading this part of the book is a little like finding out how your ex-wife is doing after 25 years of separation. If you served there you can't helpbut be interested. Then there is Carlock's closing remarks. His reflections on what it personally meant for him to have experienced serving his country were simply the best!
Background: Firebirds is targeted to be a "National Best Seller". In March 1996 there were national television coverage and promotions on the book. Chuck Carlock is a successful businessman and proceeds from the book are being donated to the 71st Assault Helicopter Company Association. In doing the research for the book Carlock has helped the association contact nearly 800 former members of this Americal Division company in a span of two years. As a result there were 178 members attending their 1995 re-union in Dallas, Texas.
This hardcopy book is available in local bookstores for $22.95.
You can get a special deal through the 71st Assault Helicopter Company Association. Identify yourself as an Americal Division Veteran Association member and you can have a personally autographed finely bound hard copy for $18.00 post paid. Here's where to write for your copy:
71st Assault Helicopter Company Assoc.
%Ron Seabolt
6410 Fallbrook Drive
Garland, TX 75043-5921
This book is also available through Amazon.com.
Further reading: Firebirds describes the capture of Carlock's best friend and mentor, Frank Anton. If you want to read more detail about Frank Anton's experiences as a P.O.W. read The Survivors written by Zalin Grant. This book deals with the brutal treatment of Americal Division prisoners of war by the NVA. If the book is not in your library, you may order it for $14.95 by calling this toll free number 1-800-321-0050.