Rattler One-Seven: A Vietnam Helicopter Pilot's War Story cover art

Rattler One-Seven: A Vietnam Helicopter Pilot's War Story

North Texas Military Biography and Memoir Series

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Rattler One-Seven: A Vietnam Helicopter Pilot's War Story

By: Chuck Gross
Narrated by: Gerry Burke
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About this listen

Rattler One-Seven puts you in the helicopter seat, to see the war in Vietnam through the eyes of an inexperienced pilot as he transforms himself into a seasoned combat veteran. At the age of twenty, Chuck Gross spent his 1970-71 tour with the 71st Assault Helicopter Company flying UH-1 Huey helicopters. He inserted special operations teams into Laos and participated in Lam Son 719, a misbegotten attempt to assault and cut the Ho Chi Minh Trail, during which his helicopter was shot down and he was stranded in the field.

Soon after the war he wrote down his adventures, while his memory was still fresh with the events. Rattler One-Seven (his call sign) is written as Gross experienced it, using these notes along with letters written home to accurately preserve the mindset he had while in Vietnam.

©2004 Chuck Gross (P)2013 Redwood Audiobooks Air Forces Americas Armed Forces Military Military & War United States Vietnam War War Veteran Aviation Transportation US Air Force Vietnam War Memoir

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Critic reviews

"Exciting reading! Chuck Gross vividly tells the dramatic account of being a combat helicopter pilot in such a way that you feel you are there. Rattler One-Seven is a compelling memoir of what it was like to fly combat helicopters in Vietnam. It is a must-read for all military and aviation enthusiasts." (Chuck Carlock, author of Firebirds)
"Gross' memoir is worth reading. His stories should find an audience among serious collectors of books about Vietnam." ( Military History of the West)
"Chuck Gross' book tells exactly what it was like to fly a Huey slick in combat in the Vietnam War. The only things missing are the smells of gunpowder and the incredible noise as he takes the reader on combat assaults into hot landing zones." (James Joyce, author of Pucker Factor 10)
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The narration and post production let this book down. The pilot was a similar age to the RAF pilots during the Battle of Britain but did not share their beliefs that the war was worth the fight. However, he flew to the best of his ability for his crew and the infantry soldiers he supported. Definitely worth listening to.

The helicopter war in Vietnam by a young pilot.

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Thanks will listen to it again peace and love to all who were out there etc great story and nice ending me thinks

Loved it

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I really enjoyed this book, a slightly different take on a Huey pilots tour of Vietnam.

Great listen

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I enjoyed the book but what was missing completely was the training to become a pilot. Mr Gross just entered the service, and then he was a pilot. This was one part I was looking forward to. Otherwise a good read(listen)

Good read but missing

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Some bits of the story just end, kinda get lost in one parts
Over all wasn't to bad

Not bad, enjoyable

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Having gone through about 50 Vietnam war memoirs, this is the first one where the author describes some of the horrible things his colleagues did, right by his side. This really stood out, otherwise it reads similar to the other heli memoirs, minus any basic training. Going through diary and logbook, trying to piece old memories together, sometimes it felt with a slightly embellished recollection, but not so bad it ruined it, unlike a few others.
I give it a solid 4 across the board, good narrator, just lacks the ability to emote chaos and fear, otherwise spot on. If the author was truly as moral as he made out, in his early 20s, then wow, but I can't help but think this came with age, although I'd prefer to think not.
4/5 definitely recommended

Not everyday Vets call out their own!

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I have a great love of flying and especially helicopters. I have always loved the Huey and always had a respect for the pilots that flu them in the Vietnam war.I really enjoyed sharing the ride and feeling how it would’ve been hanging your arse out in the breeze to be shot at and still maintaining a level head. Much respect to you all.

Quite a ride

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teally enjoyed listening to this book. It is very much a personal perspective rather than a historical analysis of the war and, for that, it provides an interesting view of the personal side of being involved.
One small gripe is that some of the Vietnam place names aren't correct (Hue) being the one that sticks out for me. still really enjoyed it.

Interesting and insightful

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Really loved this, such an interesting insight into the life of a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. Highly reccomended, couldn't stop listening.

Great Listen

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this book is unfortunately quite unique amongst a plethora of books on Helicopters and pilots ETC in Vietnam.

Light on action but plenty of pessimism

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