Guts 'N Gunships
What It Was Really Like to Fly Combat Helicopters in Vietnam
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Guts 'N Gunships
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Narrated by:
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Eric Martin
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By:
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Mark Garrison
About this listen
In the summer of 1967, Mark Garrison had dropped out of college at Southern Illinois University just before entering his third year. He had run out of money and had to work for a while. These were the days before the lottery and the draft soon came calling. In order to somewhat control his own future, he enlisted in the US Army's helicopter flight school program. Little did he know that this adventure would be the most profound experience of his life.
Garrison flew hundreds of missions for the 119th AHC, stationed in the Central Highlands at Camp Holloway in Pleiku, Vietnam. He was awarded 25 Air Medals, four campaign Bronze Stars, and The Distinguished Flying Cross, among numerous other awards. His narrative takes you through the whole process, from basic training, flight school, flying combat in Vietnam, and his return to the United States. His description includes many incidents in combat flight, including being hit by rocket propelled grenades and being on fire in the air, over hundreds if not thousands of enemy troops. But this is not all. He elaborates on the daily lives, emotions, and nuances of the pilots and what they considered their mission to be.
Guts 'N Gunships is a must listen if you are to have a realistic understanding of what flying helicopters in Vietnam combat was all about.
©2015 mark v garrison (P)2015 mark v garrisonWhat listeners say about Guts 'N Gunships
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dave Vane
- 27-05-2016
Great story read well but poorly edited
Garrison has a great story to tell that is fascinating, exciting, funny and deeply sad. His experiences in Vietnam have followed him through his life and this book is clearly cathartic for him.
While not supporting the people behind the war, during the war he and the other 'crocs' made the decision every day to support the guys on the ground so as many of them could get home alive as possible!
But Garrison doesn't allow his story to become preachy. Instead it is action packed and full of gritty memories from flight school and all the way through his time in Vietnam.
The narrator has a voice that is easy to listen to and suits the story.
On several occasions the story could have been better edited, however. The repetition of information and sentences in subsequent chapters breaks the natural flow of the book and pulls you out of the moment.
That said this is still a wonderful book that I highly recommend if you are interested in the Vietnam war.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- doesmynamematter
- 22-11-2016
Good but maybe a bit short
Informative and never too patriotic or over the top. Recommended! 8h maybe a bit short but I knew that going in. Good book on flying Bell helos in Vietnam.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 06-01-2023
Fantastic
A great insight into slicks and gunship chopper pilots lives during there war service.
Thank you for your service mat you all blessed and live out your lives in peace and happiness 👍👍
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 09-12-2023
Excellent
Excellent perspective for a pilots viewpoint
felt like you were there
thank you for your service
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gwynn
- 19-10-2016
A Real life account of Vietnam
Mark Garrison sends you back to Vietnam in this incredible true story account. He tells of the horrors they went through.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- James mallard
- 01-04-2016
great audio book,
makes you think about the people who have fort for their countries and what they went though
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 27-09-2017
Swept away as if I were there
Nothing short of an amazing journey through the eyes of a pilot and well respected man.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- jason
- 26-12-2020
Great book!
A well written book that's engaging and easy to follow. Narration doesn't suit the book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Adam Webb
- 31-12-2018
Excellent recount of a difficult experience
Simply put this is an excellent telling of a horrendous life experience in the Vietnam war. You can’t pilot a gunship in a two firing range every day for 12 months and not come out altered. It’s a great telling of one mans experiences. The narrator is perfect.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 11-01-2024
Amazing book
Worth every second of listening. The ending line brought a tear to my eye. I’m glad i got to hear about marks experiences
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