The 161st Assault Helicopter Company is a legendary outfit that played a pivotal role in the Vietnam War. Garland R. Lively and John H. Hastings’ Our Helicopter War (500 pp., $59.95) is a splendid book assembled by a dedicated group of members and friends of the 161st.
The 161st was born at Ft. Benning in August 1965 and de-activated in January 1968 and reorganized into the 123rd Aviation Battalion of the Americal (23rd Infantry) Division. Based for most of its tour at Chu Lai, the unit operated primarily in I Corps in northern South Vietnam and, among other things, provided direct support to the U.S. Special Forces units along the DMZ.
This is a wonderfully presented book, a black-bound, gold-embossed, coffee-table-sized volume that will appeal to everyone who flew with, rode with, or just paused and watched he helicopters go about their business of war in Vietnam.
Lively, Hastings (the unit historian) and their contributors have done a masterful job assembling a chronological narrative of actions and operations, including successes and failures, during the time the 161st was an active unit in the Vietnam War.
That includes after action reports, daily unit reports, unit histories, and personal reminiscences, as well as pilot banter that pervaded the ready room. The book also contains details about classified, crossborder MACV/SOG operations. And don’t miss the story of the Great Elephant Hunt adventure.
Our Helicopter War is available only through the 161st Association’s website at https://161ahc.org/161HistoryBook.htm
–Tom Werzyn
Books in Review II 