Black Cat 2-1: The True Story of a Vietnam Helicopter Pilot and His Crew

by Bob Ford

Overview

In the Vietnam War, 2,197 helicopter pilots and 2,717 crew members were killed.

Black Cat 2-1 is the story of one pilot who made it home and the valiant men he served with who risked their lives for the troops on the ground. Bob Ford invites readers into the Huey helicopters he flew on more than 1,000 missions when he and his men dared to protect and rescue.

For those whose voices were silenced in that faraway place or who have never told their stories, he creates a tribute that reads like a thriller, captures the humor of men at war, and resounds with respect for those who served with honor.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612548968
Publisher:	Brown Books Publishing Group
Publication date:	11/19/2015
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	657,442
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.88(d)

About the Author

Bob Fordflew more than 1,000 missions in Vietnam, from July 1967 to July 1968. After the first six weeks, he became an aircraft commander and took over the command of a helicopter detachment at Hue, forty miles from the DMZ-the farthest northern helicopter unit in Vietnam. His tour included the beginning of the siege of Khe Sahn and the Tet Offensive in February 1968 when he and his men manned the perimeter for a three-day and three-night ground attack. Ford made his commitment to flying helicopters when he was still in college at the University of Oklahoma. He completed ROTC training and received a commission in the US Army in 1966. He volunteered for army helicopter flight school and within one year was flying combat in Vietnam. When he completed his tour in Vietnam, he became an instructor pilot at Fort Wolters, Texas. Following his discharge in 1969, he moved to Okeene, Oklahoma, to head the Okeene division of the family flour milling business, which he still actively manages.

Table of Contents

Prologue xi

1 Going in Hot 1

2 Earning My Wings 13

3 Gaining Experience 25

4 Marine Recon 35

5 Ac Orders 49

6 Fox 4 63

7 Daily Challenges 73

8 Victor Zulu 1-4 81

9 A Zippo and Going Feet Wet 91

10 Crew, Locals, and a Dustup 103

11 Vip Missions 111

12 Christmas With Bob and Raquel 119

13 New Year-Another Day 125

14 21 Jan 68 135

15 72-Hour Day 149

16 Battle Of Hue 161

17 R&R 175

18 First Week Back 181

19 Article 15 187

20 Battalion Staff 191

21 NVA Pows 197

22 Easter Cease-Fire 201

23 The Nung 205

24 Last 40 Days 215

Epilogue 223

Glossary 227

Appendix 237

About the Author 241

Photos 245

What People are Saying About This

David A. Maurer

In the annals of war, no braver men have taken to the field of battle than the pilots who flew the iconic Huey helicopters during the Vietnam War. I saw their unwavering resolve time and again as they flew through withering gunfire to carry us safely away from the gates of eternity and bring us home. Bob Ford's account of his year in the command seat of his ship of salvation is a priceless contribution to the literary canon of that war. --David A. Maurer, Special Forces Veteran, Author of The Dying Place

Lt. Col. Chuck Ward

When Lt. Ford joined the company, he rapidly became an aircraft commander. He soon commanded a detachment located in Hue, sixty-one miles from our company. During the Tet Offensive in January 1968, Bob and his crew flew hundreds of missions in support of US and ARVN troops. On all of these missions, they were under enemy fire. Bob exemplified the best qualities of an army aviator. He never let me down. I am proud of him. --Lt. Col. Chuck Ward, Retired, Commanding Officer 282 Assault

Heidi (Bud) Atanian

Serving as a crew chief in Hue was a life-changing experience. It was an op¬portunity to serve with the best of the best, the cream of the crop. The pilots and crews were fearless. The bonds grew so strong that today when we meet, we still feel the connection. The Hue experience and these dedicated men will always be in my heart. --Heidi (Bud) Atanian, Crew Chief, Hue Detachment 282 Assault

Editorial Reviews

01/26/2015
Ford offers a by-the-numbers look at his own action-heavy 1967-68 tour of duty as an Army helicopter pilot in Vietnam. Ford grew up in Oklahoma, where today he lives and runs his family’s milling business. He took Army ROTC in college, graduating in 1966, excelled in helicopter training (“I had a knack for flying”), married his girlfriend right after finishing flight school (“I couldn’t have been happier”), and volunteered to fight in Vietnam. He arrived in country in July of 1967 and flew Huey helicopters for the 282nd Assault Helicopter Company stationed at Da Nang. During his eventful year in the war zone, Ford took part in two of the Vietnam War’s biggest and deadliest engagements: the 1968 Tet Offensive and the siege at Khe Sanh. This capably-written book offers often good descriptions of Ford’s Vietnam War duties, albeit replete with lots of reconstructed dialogue. For Ford, the war was a positive experience that allowed him opportunities for flight “at its most satisfying and thrilling,” and serving “with honor and dedication to our country as an army helicopter pilot with America’s best.” Photos. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly