Lest We Forget : The Kingsmen, 101st Aviation Battalion 1968

by Meacham, William C.

• ISBN13: 9780804119177
• ISBN10: 0804119171
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Book
• Copyright: 1999-12-01
• Publisher: Ivy Books

Summary

It takes a special kind of man--and a special kind of courage--to routinely risk one's life for others. . . . Lt. "Wild Bill" Meacham was a former enlisted man turned UH-1 pilot assigned to Bravo Company, 101st Aviation Battalion, an assault helicopter company whose liftships were called the Kingsmen. Meacham quickly learned that the fighting in Vietnam wasn't confined to hot LZs: He killed nine enemies on the ground during the Tet 1968 defeat of the VC. Bravo Company carried troops and supplies for many units, but Meacham preferred flying insertions and extractions for the LRRPs of the 101st and for the men of SOG, whose operations frequently took them into Laos. From combat assaults in Cu Chi to night operations in the enemy-infested A Shau Valley to hot extractions from Laos, Meacham engaged in some of the most dangerous flying imaginable. As he hovered a few feet off the ground in LZs exploding with mortar shells and crackling with AK-47 fire, it was often only Meacham's relentless daring and calm hands at the chopper's controls that kept the men on the ground from the enemy--and certain death. The Kingsmen were held in the highest esteem by LRRPs and other special-operations forces throughout Vietnam. This heroic, harrowing, and utterly absorbing account is a powerful tribute to those men and their fearless reputation.

Author Biography

William C. Meacham was born in Darlington, South Carolina, in 1940. He moved to California when he was fourteen. In 1962, Bill enlisted in the army. After completing the U.S. Army Airborne School, he was assigned to the 504th Airborne Battle Group in Germany, where he served for three years. Returning to the United States, he attended Officers' Candidate School and Flight School.<br><br>Bill served two years in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. His many awards include the Silver Star, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Air Medals with V device, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, three Bronze Stars, and three Army Commendation Medals.