To the Limit cover art

To the Limit

An Air Cav Huey Pilot in Vietnam

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To the Limit

By: Tom A. Johnson
Narrated by: David Drummond
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About this listen

From June 1967 to June 1968, Tom Johnson accumulated an astonishing 1,600 flying hours piloting the UH-1 "Iroquois" - better known as the "Huey" - as part of the famous First Air Cavalry Division. His battalion was one of the most decorated units of the Vietnam War, and helped redefine modern warfare.

Johnson's riveting memoir takes us into key battles and rescue missions, including those for Hue and Khe Sanh. In harrowing detail, he tells of being shot down in the battle of A Shau Valley, of surviving enemy attacks during the Tet Offensive, and of a death-defying nighttime river rescue, in which only the bare feet of soldiers hanging off the Huey's skids kept the helicopter from plunging under water. From dangerous missions to narrow escapes, Johnson's memoir vividly captures the adrenaline rush and the horror of war, and takes you on a ride you'll never forget.

©2006 Potomac Books, Inc. (P)2018 Tantor Air Forces Armed Forces Military Military & War Vietnam War Veteran War Transportation Scary Thought-Provoking Aviation Vietnam War Memoir Air War

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This was a great listen. It really engaged and took me to the battlefield, the accommodation and the peripherals of war. The narrators voice was a bit expressionless at times though. Listening over Christmas helped me remain grateful for all the privileges I enjoy as a result of others sacrifice.

Sweat & grind

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Great story and the way it was writen and recorded as audio book. Veey good for this topic.

Tense and gets you feel it all

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My brother in law was in the British navy in the seventies, he related the story of a Huey pilot landing one skid on the helicopter pad at the rear of his ship ignoring the officer on deck who was trying to wave him of, the Huey was to large we where flying the wasp helicopters at the time which are much smaller. The crew offloading the cargo he had brought whilst holding the aircraft perfectly still despite the ship being underway in a rolling sea then took back to the air. The British crew were very very impressed, this show them how marvellous the Huey crews really were. Sorry about my long story, narrated wonderfully, excellent story, very brave men.

Best and helicopter story I’ve listened to

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Some great little funny moments in between all the chaos of war. Picks up the pace throughout the book, to the point you need to find out what happens next. Very detailed depictions of intricate parts of action.
Gives a real sense of down to earth men having to go through hell and back.

Funny yet brutally raw

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Loved the book. Still surprises me how brave they were and their masters seemed clueless.

Great read.

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Overall liked it and worth listen. Author uses historical present which is annoying but you get used to it. Not much thought about the politics around the war in Vietnam but certainly good stories about escape and survival

Portrayal of helicopter pilot during Vietnam war

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Couldn’t stop listening to it. Helped me get through my work week, I was very saddened to hear about the passing of the author in march of this year. RIP

Brilliant action - probably my favourite war memoir

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What these guys did is incredible. Gripping. The bravest people that ever lived. I am not worthy to have the freedom these guys fought and died for. Such a sad war.

Amazing stuff

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Incredibly talented and courageous pilot that really brings his experience of the Vietnam War to life.

Every bit as good as ChickenHawk

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Incredible account of a young Huey pilots experiences from Vietnam. I had absolutely no idea what these young men went through, both in the air and on the ground. Happy that to have been shared these memories from the Vietnam war. Recommended to all aviation geeks and history buffs.

Thrilling!

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