Those Left Behind
The war was almost over for 15 soldiers in Vietnam. Some were going home, and some on R&R to meet their wives. A quick ride to Cu Chi Base Camp and they would be on their way. But disaster struck. The Chinook was shot down in a horrific fireball. Some survived with horrible burns. This is their story and the story of the loved ones they left behind.
Jungle Combat: A Combat Pilot's Tape Recorded Transcripts from Vietnam 1968-1969
“It’s all here, from the drama of facing danger in combat, to the frustration of dealing with the military bureaucracy, to the excesses of exhausted Marines in drunken revelry. What follows is a chronological transcript of those tapes edited only for coherence, and not to protect the readers’ sensibilities. It reflects my extreme swings of mood—from fear and anxiety to grief and exhaustion to relief and exhilaration. The events described are sometimes barbarous, sometimes ridiculous and sometimes sublime, but they are always real. In the theater of war, life gushes forward at a heightened pace. But amid the cacophony and confusion, the discerning reader will hear the earnest sounds of a young man emerging into manhood. Be forewarned the language is sometimes raw and cruel, for which I make no apology. It is the honest language of who we were then, an audible snapshot of that hardest of times. Committing this story to paper has helped me come to terms with the war, and to put it in focus. It has become commonplace to describe the conflict there as a defeat, but those of us who took part in it have difficulty with that. We were never bested on the battlefield. Every time the enemy stood up to challenge us, we took the worst he had to offer and returned it with interest. Yet we were the ones who withdrew, not because we were defeated on the battlefield, but because of a failure of will among our political leadership. For a variety of reasons, the Vietnam conflict provoked a divisive cataclysm that ripped our society apart, and shook our nation to its very foundation. For me, the final evacuation was terrible humiliation. I thought of the brave men who had given their lives in the cause. Turning our backs and running away seemed to dishonor their sacrifice. It ran contrary to everything I had ever held fast and believed in, a betrayal of my values and heritage...” - Colonel John “Ace” Astle U.S.M.C. (Ret.) About the author: Bio of Col. John “Ace” Astle Love of country has guided John Astle throughout a career that has included service in the military, law enforcement, and the Maryland General Assembly. John was born in Charles Town, West Virginia on March 31, 1943. A year after graduating from Barboursville High School, Barboursville, West Virginia; John joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1961. He was accepted into the Platoon Leaders Class Program and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from Marshall University. Upon graduation in 1966, John joined the United States Marine Corps and received his commission as a Naval Aviator Officer flying helicopters. John served in the U.S. Marine Corps, Captain, 1966-75. It included serving in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, 1968-69 and a tour as a Marine One Presidential helicopter pilot, 1971-74. His military service commendations include: the Legion of Merit, two Purple Hearts, the Meritorious Service Medal, 31 air medals and the Presidential Service Badge. After resigning his regular commission in 1975, John began a 21-year commitment with the Marine Corps Reserve. During that time, he volunteered and served five months active duty in the Persian Gulf War, Desert Storm. He retired as a Colonel from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in 1996. John flew helicopter patrols for the Baltimore Police Department December 1978 through December 1984 then worked as a medical evacuation pilot for the Washington Hospital Center from 1985-2005. As an American politician, John continued his public service by serving the people of Maryland first as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 30, Anne Arundel County, January 1983 to January 11, 1995, and then as a member of the Maryland Senate, January 11, 1995 to January 9, 2019. A respected leader, John served as Vice-Chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, where he played a key role in shaping state policy on energy, healthcare, banking and insurance. He also served as Chairman of the Anne Arundel County Senate Delegation, and as a member of the Joint Audit Committee, the Legislative Policy Committee and the Joint Information Technology and Biotechnology Committee. An avid sportsman and environmental advocate, John is a long-time supporter of the National Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. He spearheaded the creation of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus in 2001, which led to the creation of a National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses. He was a Senate Chair of the Maryland Caucus and a Past President of the national organization. John also served in key leadership positions with organizations working to restore the Chesapeake Bay, including a position on the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Board of Trustees. John is a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, National Rifle Association, Safari Club International and was an active member of the Maryland Veterans Caucus. He served as a Member of the Board of the Maryland Tourism Development Board, and Chairman of the Board of Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. John lives in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife Jayne.
COMBAT CONTRAILS: VIETNAM
Eighteen true stories, told by the Vietnam warriors who lived them. Most have never been captured in print.
Heart of Gray: Lt. Raymond “Iggy” Enners, Courage and Sacrifice of a West Point Graduate in Vietnam
An inspirational story and legacy
Covert Kill
FROM FORMER GREEN BERET AND USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR JASON KASPER "Jason Kasper is a name to watch in the thriller world." —Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of the Gray Man Series When American citizens in Nigeria are kidnapped and held for ransom, David Rivers and his team of CIA contractors find themselves enveloped in an international firestorm. With a US administration determined to protect American lives, David has the authority to do whatever it takes. But as David’s team tracks down the mysterious terror cell responsible for the kidnapping, they uncover a conspiracy beyond anything they could have imagined. And in a race against time to recover the hostages, David and his team must infiltrate the Sambisa Forest, a sprawling Boko Haram stronghold overflowing with enemy soldiers. Failure is not an option. Survival is not guaranteed. www.jason-kasper.com
Navy Nurse: Memoir if a World War II Veteran
From one of the few living World War II veterans comes this personal, inspiring, and remarkably detailed memoir.
A Boomer's Tale or I Ain't Dead Yet
This is my story. It took 67 years to live it, a year and a half to write it, seven months to get it edited and ready for publication. So, please take the time to read it!!
Shepherds of God in Wolves' Clothing: Random Reflections of a Former Army Chaplain
Men and women who wear the uniform hold citizenship in both a material and a spiritual dimension, and they may well be ordered to protect and defend the national interests of the United States anywhere worldwide on a moment's notice: it is the the military chaplains, those "shepherds of God," who willingly deploy with them to provide spiritual support so deeply needed in such times of crisis.
World War II the only time the U.S. and Mexico were allies
When German U-boats sank Mexico’s tankers, she declared war and joined the Allies. Mexican Squadron 201, USAAF 58th Fighter Group served under Gen. Douglas MacArthur in the Pacific.
The Future of America
This book is an attempt, on the part of the author, to illustrate the reality of our union; that In spite of our differences in race, gender, philosophy and age, we are one nation and we are going to be treated as one by our neighbors around the world. The author does that in these pages by showing that our diversity can be viewed as a strength and should be. This is done by looking first at the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and how those sacrifices have been shared by all races, genders and religious groups within the American population. When a foreign national pulls down our flag or screams, "Yankee go home!", he is not referring only to an American from north of the Mason-Dixon Line. He means all of us! In spite of our differences, for better or for worse, we are one!