Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Review of U.S. Navy Seawolves by Daniel E. Kelly

Author:  Daniel E. Kelly.
Title:  U.S. Navy Seawolves - The Elite HAL-3 Helicopter Squadron in Vietnam.
Publisher:  Presidio Press.
Copyright:  2002.
Pages:  269.
Price:  $7.99 (US).

Impressions:
U.S. Navy Seawolves - The Elite HAL-3 Helicopter Squadron in Vietnam by Daniel E. Kelly is a fast-paced book.  I enjoyed reading it.  It takes about how the Navy organized a attack helicopter service for its SEAL teams along the Mekong delta and around Saigon.  The description of actual combat operations took place in 1967 to the Tet Offensive of 1968.

I didn't realize how active the Navy was involved along the Mekong with its "brown-water navy" of riverine craft and swift boats.  SEAL teams were still relatively new in Vietnam.  I also realized the helicopter pilots were their own unique breed.  My uncle was an Army helicopter pilot in both Vietnam and Korea.  However, he never did talk about the combat and rescue missions he flew before dying several years ago.

I would have liked to have known more.  However, U.S. Navy Seawolves gave me some insight into the world of a combat helicopter pilot.  Recommend.

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