Crew Chief - Softcover

McLeod, Jesse

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1403348502 ISBN 13: 9781403348500

Publisher: AuthorHouse, 2003

Synopsis

Though the pain and ugliness of war are not moderated, Crew Chief offers a refreshingly positive view of the competent and reliable soldier seldom presented in books and movies about the Vietnam experience. Mac, like many men, loses his innocence, but not his self-respect. The reader will gain a better understanding of the husband, son, brother or friend who served in a combat unit in Vietnam.McLeod reveals the daily life of the helicopter crew, highlighted with personality conflicts, pranks, humor, and frustrations. You share the terrifying moments under fire; the horrible, mangled bodies of the dead, dying and wounded; the brutalities and charms of the Vietnamese people, and, the camaraderie and tension of men who know every moment could be their last.On call at all times, with precious few hours of sleep, stolen between emergency calls and mortar barrages, Jim MacLaughlin tries to keep the pieces together. Responsible for the maintenance of his Huey helicopter, the crew chief's thoroughness, or lack of it, determines the life or death of the crew, cargo and passengers.Crew Chief is a well-told account with 24 photos, based on the author's personal experiences and those of men he knew.

About this title

About the Author

Jesse McLeod served three years in the U.S. Army and 365 days in Vietnam (May 1967-1968). He served in the 191st and 187th Assault Helicopter companies, as a helicopter mechanic, door-gunner, and crew chief. Military awards include the Aircraft Crewman Badge, Air Medal with 'V' device and 22 Oak Leaf Clusters. After Vietnam he graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. in Agriculture. He returned to the family farm as the owner/operator. In 1987 he heard the audible voice of God calling him into the ministry. He graduated from Christian Life School of Theology with a Master of Theology degree and currently serves as the Associate Pastor of The River Community Church in Delaware, Ohio.

From Publishers Weekly

McLeod served in Vietnam in 1967-68 as a crew chief with the 187th Assault Helicopter Company, and, "Some of the story related here is my own," he allows in the introduction. The protagonist is called Jim McLaughlin, and it's unclear which of the adventures are the author's and which happened to others. Though there's plenty of combat action, much of the narrative concerns McLaughlin's run-ins with superior officers, and the author seems unaware that the protagonist's salient characteristic is resentment of authority. McLeod records endless compliments paid to McLauglin for his combat skills, fearlessness and religious faith and quotes the supposedly sage advice this 20-year-old enlisted man dispenses to his peers. The combat sequences, however, are exciting, as is the section about McLaughlin's R&R furlough in Manila. The problem is, one is never sure how much of the book is fiction. Photos.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1403348502
• ISBN 13: 9781403348500
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368