67Y crew chief here. Welcome home brother! No one really understands what Vietnam Army helicopter flight crews dealt with than our own. Appreciate your story. God bless 💪🇺🇸
I flew with the 336th as a guest door gunner in 1970 and 1971. I was an Army Air Traffic Controller at Can Tho AAF. They had moved up to Can Tho after Soc Tran was turned over to the ARVN. These men were the best pilots and bravest men I have ever met. I'm hhonored to have known them.
I had a buddy who was a Canadian (who was one of many Canadians to volunteer in the Vietnam war) who volunteered to fly Medivac Hueys in Vietnam. He was a bush pilot who worked as a helicopter operator in the lumber industry in Northern Canada and he was looking for warm weather and a change of scenery, so he volunteered thinking it was going to be an adventure. He came back (alive, thankfully) after a year, a changed man, his adventure was something he did not imagine.
I was a firefighter for 30 years. It was my job to be ground control for medivac flights that would land in improvised LZs. In the early part of my career there were still Vietnam veteran pilots flying. They were something to see. They could bring it in so quick and smooth, every time.
I flew with the 336th at Soc Trang from Oct 66 to Oct 67. I was a Captain then and Aircraft Commander. I flew with CWO Eduakitis also when he first came into the unit. I did not get to meet Gary as I probably had left by then. Lots of stories, many funny and a lot sad.
Have a friend……Mike …receiving clerk at a Lucky Grocery Store….. in 1990 Northern California…Major US Army …..Vietnam dust off pilot ….Silver Star ….Purple Heart …. shot down twice …..2nd time it ended his career.🇺🇸
A really good narrative of his Vietnam experience by helo pilot Kissling. He demonstrated professionalism & bravery to its utmost. Seeing his ‘wingman”s’ instrument panel lights so close probably happened in mere seconds but its impact has stayed with him for a lifetime. Thank you for conducting these interviews & presenting them on YT.
@@SteveL4 BTW, "Chicken Hawk" is not a novel. The book's author Robert Mason describes his experiences as a U.S. ARMY aviator and the missions that he was involved in when he was flying Huey's with the 1st Cav Division in Vietnam.
Most influential man in my life, Mr. Bill Klimowicz, Vietnam vet, helicopter pilot. I was fortunate enough to have him as a shop teacher. Love that guy. He and this gentleman have the same demeanor.
Thank you for sharing your story. I am Australian and I have yet to get my Vietnam veteran father in law to tell me what he did over there, I have not pressured him but have asked about it and it is mostly met with silence.
Welcome home. Helicopter pilot '69-70. 2/17th Cav. Northern I Corps. I've heard that one year flying combat was equivalent to 20 years non-combat flying and I believe it.
Regarding formation flying and potentials for midair collisions. Air Force guys fly fast and look great doing it, but with usually no more than 4-12 aircraft. That is great and a testament to their ability and skill. Imagine being in a helicopter formation with 50-100 other helicopters? That is a special skill set. I am so grateful to the thousands of Vietnam era helicopter pilots for their skills, dedication and heroism. This still means so much to me all these years later. Never forget...
My family owns the old staging area at Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells Tx. It has changed hands several times over the years but there’s never a time that I’m out there that I don’t think of all the men that trained there. We consider it hallowed ground.
I was in the US Army Security Agency. If you’ve not heard of it: good. That means we kept a good secret. For the record, I love armed helicopters. We never were there; we didn’t exist. Happy holidays everyone.
I have a feeling this gentlemen is one if the people featured in my all time favourite book - Chicken Hawk. Amazing stories. These guys have my complete and utmost respect 🇺🇸🫡
Correction: I flew from Oct 65 to Oct 66 with the 336th. The 336th was originally A Company of the 101st Aviation Battalion and was re-designated in early 1966 as the 336th.
@@jamesmcmanamy4704 I do remember your name. Some of my crews and and fellow pilots referred to you as a great pilot that they trusted and respected. Thanks for perfecting all the procedures and tactics before I got there.
@@garykissling4304 Thanks but we all flew hard. One time I had dropped a province chief off on the southeast coast in a bad area. He came back to the chopper in about 10 minutes. It was happy hour. A pedal turn and we would be back to base in 15 minutes. Instead, I climbed back out over the water to 1,500 feet and turned back. As I crossed over the village, everyone who had a weapon was firing at me. It was interesting. Maybe my guardian angel told me to climb up first.
Welcome Home brother . I did a 3 month TDY at the 97th General before I went to RVN . The last of my TOD , I was medic with the Blues . I hated formation flying while just flying from our Base Camp to the camp , FSB , LZ we were working out of ! Always thought it would be a great way for Chuck to score a few with a 51 cal or have a NEEDLESS accident . Have a nice Christmas .. doc lll Corp.
This amazing man is so understated, I’m glad he came home safely and didn’t seem too badly affected by what he’d been through.
Thank you for saying that he is my hero and father.
Trust that he's more affected than you perceive.
67Y crew chief here. Welcome home brother!
No one really understands what Vietnam Army helicopter flight crews dealt with than our own.
Appreciate your story. God bless 💪🇺🇸
I flew with the 336th as a guest door gunner in 1970 and 1971. I was an Army Air Traffic Controller at Can Tho AAF. They had moved up to Can Tho after Soc Tran was turned over to the ARVN. These men were the best pilots and bravest men I have ever met. I'm hhonored to have known them.
A guest door gunner?
@@packrat76 yeah he just guest who was viet-con and who was a civvy 😂🤷♂️
I had a buddy who was a Canadian (who was one of many Canadians to volunteer in the Vietnam war) who volunteered to fly Medivac Hueys in Vietnam. He was a bush pilot who worked as a helicopter operator in the lumber industry in Northern Canada and he was looking for warm weather and a change of scenery, so he volunteered thinking it was going to be an adventure. He came back (alive, thankfully) after a year, a changed man, his adventure was something he did not imagine.
Thank you for your service, Sir. Army helo pilots "Were Among The Best".
I was a firefighter for 30 years. It was my job to be ground control for medivac flights that would land in improvised LZs. In the early part of my career there were still Vietnam veteran pilots flying. They were something to see. They could bring it in so quick and smooth, every time.
Blessings on all of them !
Thank you for your service Gary, we are proud to call you Brother. 😊🙏🏻 🇺🇸
I came up the ladder with these MEN. In and out of Ft Rucker as a CFWIP. And flew with many in the Airlines. These are MEN among Men!!!
Such a calm , demeanor for a tour in V.N., and a pilot , Glad you made it home.
I thank you. I thank all of you who have served. That also goes for the family that had to be without. God bless everyone.
His graciousness is Life affirming.
I flew with the 336th at Soc Trang from Oct 66 to Oct 67. I was a Captain then and Aircraft Commander. I flew with CWO Eduakitis also when he first came into the unit. I did not get to meet Gary as I probably had left by then. Lots of stories, many funny and a lot sad.
Cant tell from your handle who you are. I was with the 2nd platoon from Sept 1966 to Sep 1967. Surprised we didnt meet
Thank you for sharing Mr Kissling much appreciated! Peace.
Have a friend……Mike …receiving clerk at a Lucky Grocery Store….. in 1990 Northern California…Major US Army …..Vietnam dust off pilot ….Silver Star ….Purple Heart …. shot down twice …..2nd time it ended his career.🇺🇸
A really good narrative of his Vietnam experience by helo pilot Kissling. He demonstrated professionalism & bravery to its utmost. Seeing his ‘wingman”s’ instrument panel lights so close probably happened in mere seconds but its impact has stayed with him for a lifetime. Thank you for conducting these interviews & presenting them on YT.
Really enjoyed a novel called chicken hawk ; about a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam war
Robert Mason.
Good book ! Two of the guys that Mason described in his book
that stood out to me was Connors and the "Ring-Knocker."
Robert Mason!
Great book! Read it years ago after I came to the world
@@SteveL4 BTW, "Chicken Hawk" is not a novel. The book's author Robert Mason describes his experiences as a U.S. ARMY aviator and the missions that he was involved in when he was flying Huey's with the 1st Cav Division in Vietnam.
Most influential man in my life, Mr. Bill Klimowicz, Vietnam vet, helicopter pilot. I was fortunate enough to have him as a shop teacher. Love that guy.
He and this gentleman have the same demeanor.
What a story. Thank you for sharing it
Thank you for sharing your stories.
Great story. Thank you for sharing it forthe next generations and generations to come...
Wow…, Thanks God for brave humans like this true gentleman! God Bless you sir!
So much wisdom - thank you for sharing🙏
Thank you for your service sir
That's what concerned me after 9/11. I wasn't worried about being deployed, I was worried about being deployed with my specific unit.
Thanks!
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your story. I am Australian and I have yet to get my Vietnam veteran father in law to tell me what he did over there, I have not pressured him but have asked about it and it is mostly met with silence.
I work offshore in 80s all the pilot from Vietnam
Thank you. Just thank you.
Welcome home. Helicopter pilot '69-70. 2/17th Cav. Northern I Corps.
I've heard that one year flying combat was equivalent to 20 years non-combat flying and I believe it.
Regarding formation flying and potentials for midair collisions. Air Force guys fly fast and look great doing it, but with usually no more than 4-12 aircraft. That is great and a testament to their ability and skill. Imagine being in a helicopter formation with 50-100 other helicopters? That is a special skill set. I am so grateful to the thousands of Vietnam era helicopter pilots for their skills, dedication and heroism. This still means so much to me all these years later. Never forget...
My family owns the old staging area at Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells Tx. It has changed hands several times over the years but there’s never a time that I’m out there that I don’t think of all the men that trained there. We consider it hallowed ground.
Thankyou.b.
.war sucks
I was in the US Army Security Agency. If you’ve not heard of it: good. That means we kept a good secret.
For the record, I love armed helicopters.
We never were there; we didn’t exist.
Happy holidays everyone.
Much respect sir.
I have a feeling this gentlemen is one if the people featured in my all time favourite book - Chicken Hawk. Amazing stories. These guys have my complete and utmost respect 🇺🇸🫡
A good man.
Chicken Hawk. Good read.❤
Correction: I flew from Oct 65 to Oct 66 with the 336th. The 336th was originally A Company of the 101st Aviation Battalion and was re-designated in early 1966 as the 336th.
Thanks and great to meet you.
I believe I had a little over 1,000 hours at Soc Trang. Lots of holes but fortunately was not shot down.
@@jamesmcmanamy4704 I do remember your name. Some of my crews and and fellow pilots referred to you as a great pilot that they trusted and respected. Thanks for perfecting all the procedures and tactics before I got there.
@@garykissling4304 Thanks but we all flew hard. One time I had dropped a province chief off on the southeast coast in a bad area. He came back to the chopper in about 10 minutes. It was happy hour. A pedal turn and we would be back to base in 15 minutes. Instead, I climbed back out over the water to 1,500 feet and turned back. As I crossed over the village, everyone who had a weapon was firing at me. It was interesting. Maybe my guardian angel told me to climb up first.
Welcome Home brother . I did a 3 month TDY at the 97th General before I went to RVN . The last of my TOD , I was medic with the Blues . I hated formation flying while just flying from our Base Camp to the camp , FSB , LZ we were working out of ! Always thought it would be a great way for Chuck to score a few with a 51 cal or have a NEEDLESS accident . Have a nice Christmas .. doc lll Corp.
Well come home nam vet are my heros until the day I die
Thank you Sir fornyour bravery and sevice!
My Godfather's brother perished in a flight accident like this. Doug Schneider
Stupid executives making bad decisions. I have seen my share.
They were more concerned with looking good...
🐴🤠🇺🇲🙏67nov