Flying Death

No matter what conflict that a helicopter and its crew flies into, the job, the level of responsibility and the feelings are the same. There have been many stories of those that served in Vietnam. Some stories have been of combat units, battles, Pilots that had been shot down and captured, along with some helicopter squadrons. This story gives a different prospective of the war. The troops on the ground would hear the sounds of a helicopter coming into their area. Looking up, they saw this complex flying machine blowing sand and dust all around. The chopper brought in anything and everything that the troops needed. The wounded and dead were evacuated. Reenforcements were delivered and the troops were brought back to their camps. Did the troops ever think about the people that operated these helicopters? What did it take to keep the machines flying? What kind of pressures were the flight crews facing on a daily basis? This story is the memories of a Combat Helicopter Crew Chief doing the what was necessary to accomplish the mission of supporting the troops.

Author Biography

Sam Beamon enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 1965 on a delayed entry program. He went on active duty on August 26, 1965. He completed 19 months in Vietnam serving as a Helicopter Crew Chief.

After being honorably discharged from the military service, he worked at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft for a year. He then joined the Police Department in Waterbury, Connecticut and rose through the ranks to the level of Lieutenant. For his last 12 years, he was in charge of the Juvenile Division. He retired after 28 years of service. He still lives in Waterbury, where he was born and raised. For more information, reviews and events – Please checkout my web site — www.sam-beamon.com