"Shoulda Played the Flute" is a memoir about the author's
adventure in Army Aviation (1968-1971), including a year flying
combat missions in Vietnam. Raised in the rural Midwest, the book
describes Dick's path to joining the Army and becoming a
helicopter pilot. As thousands of other young men did (some as
young as 18), Dick went through rotary wing flight school as a
Warrant Office Candidate (WOC). Each "WOC" had his own story of
how he sought out and volunteered for one of the most dangerous
missions of the War, the combat helicopter pilot. Most had failed
lives or unfulfilled expectations, so, in their late teens,
volunteered for Army flight school. They had no idea how
drastically and quickly they would grow up. In the coming two
years of flight school and flying combat missions in Vietnam,
most would age about 10 years (if they came home). These relative
youngsters were given unbelievable responsibilities in
unpredictable circumstances, often against long odds. They
responded with courage and usually without re, but they
earned the respect of every grunt and ground commander who ever
served in the field. This is the story of one such Army Aviator.
Once in Vietnam, Dick and a group of his flight school classmates
(Class 69-5) were assigned to the Americal Division in Chu Lai.
Not all would return home. Within the Americal he was assigned to
the 196th Light Infantry Brigade and flew the OH-6A Light
Observation Helicopter, or "LOH," living and flying off of LZ
Baldy (south of Danang). As a 196th "Charger" LOH driver he flew
probably the widest variety of missions of all LOH pilots in
Vietnam. Through vignettes Dick describes these mission,
sometimes mixed with Army Aviator black humor. Late in his tour
Dick transferred to A Company, 123rd Aviation Battalion, the
"Pelicans," flying off of Ky Ha in Chu Lai. There he became an
Aircraft Commander in the iconic UH-1 Huey. Dick's story doesn't
end with the day he returns to "The World." He concludes the book
with his observations about Vietnam Veterans, PTSD, his proud
Life Membership in the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
(VHPA), a very interesting piece about his 2011 return trip to
Vietnam and a chance meeting with a former Viet Cong foe (at LZ
Baldy), and a closing piece expressing his views of the tragedy
of the Vietnam War. This book will interest anyone involved with
aviation during the Vietnam era and will appeal to those with
family members who served in Vietnam. They will get a
first-person account and perspective about the War. Dick explains
that the main reason he wrote this memoir is so his kids and
grandkids and the family members of other helicopter pilots will
have a better understanding of the rigors of flight school and
the risks and sacrifices of those who flew helicopters in
Vietnam. This Vietnam memoir is different in that Dick has
studied the history of the Vietnam War. His being an amateur
Vietnam historian is evident with his use of Endnotes. They are
interesting historical footnotes about the War and bring great
perspective and a pause to his story. Very well written, Dick's
writing style flows. The story moves, is interesting and
engaging. Unlike some other Vietnam memoirs, you get the sense
that his vignettes are not embellished. With Dick's
self-deprecating style and humor you will chuckle while reading
about some of his experiences (and saddened by others). The book
is richly illustrated with six s, 65 photos and four
appendices. Oh, the book title you wonder. Dick played the flute
in his high school band. While in Basic Training at Ft. Polk, LA
the post band director made him an offer: He could fulfill his
Army obligation right there, playing the flute in the Ft. Polk
Army Band. He declined, opting to fly helicopters in Vietnam to
"protect the free world from the spread of communism." There were
missions in Vietnam when Dick remembered the offer!!!!! Hence,
"Shoulda Played the Flute."