CHARIOTS IN THE SKY
Join Captain Taylor St. James, along with his friends and comrades, as they fly harrowing combat missions, cover for each other, deal with bad weather, mechanical problems and human error during the later part of the Vietnam War. When not flying, they are harassed by rocket attacks and sappers in the wire. Taylor discovers the North Vietnamese are not his only enemy as he copes with the pressures put on him by a commander more interested in personal glory than his men’s well being.
This is the story of Captain Taylor St. James, a dedicated Army helicopter pilot, who is sent to Vietnam. He just wants to do his job, survive the war and return home to his wife Sandy and family. While performing his duties, Taylor will be challenged and tested beyond any measure he could have ever envisioned.
He is assigned to the Eagles, a Huey Assault Company with the 101st Airborne Division in I Corps. Taylor’s unit is stationed at Phu Bai Base where they fly missions throughout the northern region. Their flying exploits take them into many familiar places to include: A Shau Valley, Khe Sanh, Quang Tri Province, Hue, DMZ, North Vietnam and Laos.
Along the way Taylor participated in Lam Son 719, the last major American Offensive Operation of the war. This historical campaign lasted for sixty days and involved over 750 helicopters flying in and out of Laos supporting the South Vietnamese incursion into Laos. Lam Son 719 was the costliest period of helicopter warfare for the Americans. More helicopters were shot down and sustained battle damage than any other period during the Vietnam War.
REVIEWS
In Praise of Chariots In The Sky
Generations of Valor...
Legacy of Honor: The Descendants is the final volume of Larry Freeland’s ambitious historical fiction trilogy chronicling three generations of men who served during times of conflict. The books move the characters’ experiences from World War I through the wars on terror in the last two decades.
All are important because they simultaneously provide an international, big-picture of major events while also bringing them down to ground level to show how they affected American families. Freeland joined the U.S. Army in 1968 and served in the Vietnam War in the 101st Airborne Division as an infantry officer and a CH-47 helicopter pilot.
The Descendants follows Gen. Sean McCormick’s three sons’ wartime experiences. One served in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne. Another was drafted in 1971 and later recruited by the CIA. The third joined the Navy and flew helicopters in the First Gulf War.
The book’s first sentence, “The night is a lonely place out here in the bush,” introduces us to 2nd Lt. Alan McCormick, the infantry lieutenant, taking part in a lengthy fight to capture Hill 937, later infamously known as Hamburger Hill. When he returns to Vietnam for a second tour, Alan says he feels as if he had never left.
This trilogy should be the centerpiece of any interested person’s fictional American wars library.
A Magnificent Conclusion to the Legacy of Honor Series, Showcasing Three Sons at History's Pivotal Moments...
This book is definitely one to read with a tissue box handy. After having become involved emotionally with the parents’ and grandparents’ stories, this last book was like hearing about favorite family children and their adventures as adults, which is what I often talk about with my friends now. I know this book will be a great success. It is so important that we know and try to understand these conflicts in our recent history. So many people today do not keep up with news about our servicemen and women and their harrowing experiences in other nations far away from the U.S. It is vital that all these dedicated people, like the fictional, but realistic McCormick family, should receive the medical and psychological care after service they may need, as well as the public recognition and respect for their entire family’s sacrifices that they deserve.
Freeland Masterfully Captures Military Culture and American War History...
Freeland’s multigenerational, panoramic novel chronicles the wartime service of three brothers in the late 20th century… Freeland’s third installment of a historical-fiction trilogy follows Alan’s plight during and after the war, including his frustration with the “disheartening, disappointing, and shameful” reception he gets from people who are critical of the war. His two younger brothers serve in combat roles, as well: Lee becomes a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Navy and flies many dangerous missions, including as part of Operation Desert Shield/Storm in the Middle East; and Scott, after serving in the Army along the DMZ in South Korea, embarks on a career as a CIA officer. Throughout, the eager patriotism of the brothers, who hail from a long line of American soldiers, is colored by disillusionment with the ways that the American government wages war…
A Powerful Story of War and Family, Based on True Events...
Based on actual events, the author has written a powerful story of war and family as you follow three brother’s call to duty as warriors for their country in wars in Vietnam, Korea and the Middle east, and the sacrifices made by their families back home. The author’s description of battle scenes is the best I have read. All veterans will enjoy this story.
A Must-Read for Fans of the Genre!
The final book of Larry Freeland’s war trilogy is explosive with action and little-known details that allow readers to horrifically experience what these soldiers did during their time in war torn countries.
Larry Freeland Brings History to Life in a Personal and Real Way...
In Legacy of Honor, you experience the stress, and challenges, that soldiers and their families experience during military conflicts. You are left with a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices that our men and women in uniform, and their families, make for our country.
The Decedent is a Tribute to Duty, Honor, and Courage Over 50 Years of Service...
The McCormick son’s actively participate in all U.S. military campaigns of the last fifty years. Vividly detailed, historically accurate, and emotionally charged, the closing book of the Legacy of Honor Trilogy exemplifies Alan, Lee and Scott’s courage and sacrifice by living lives dedicated to duty, honor, and country.
A Well-Researched, Educational, and Captivating Read...
Time and time again, covering a span of 35 years, Freeland puts the reader in the heat of battle with close-up, high-octane action, from Vietnam to the Global War on Terror. Yet, in also portraying the roller-coaster life of military families, the book is as touching as it is riveting.
A Honorable Finale to the Trilogy and a Powerful, Inspiring Tribute...
Filled with history and human emotion, I was moved to tears as this story touches the deepest sense of admiration and gratitude for the heroes and their families who live among us.
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A Story ABOUT U.S. ASSAULT Helicopter Pilots at War IN VIETNAM
I’ve written this novel, “Chariots in the Sky” as a historical fiction story. I didn’t want it to be a story about one man’s or one aircrew’s personal experiences in Vietnam. But rather, I wanted to take the reader on a ride through the eyes and exploits of one fictional character, Captain Taylor St. James. He is the embodiment of a combat helicopter pilot in Vietnam. It is through his exploits and adventures that the reader will gain a better understanding of what it was like for pilots and crews during the Vietnam War. Those who served in Vietnam as pilots and crew members may certainly relate to some of Taylor’s experiences, thoughts and feelings about the Vietnam War. For those readers who may not be familiar with that period of our collective history, it is my hope that you would find this reading experience insightful, educational and rewarding.
This novel is a work of fiction. All characters and military call signs used in this book are fictional. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Many of the military units were real, however, all of the characters associated with them in this book are fictional. Although many settings are referred to by their real names and certain military operations did occur; they are used as backdrops for the fictional characters and incidents depicted in the book.
As I look back over my life, I would have to say that my five years in the U.S. Army, and particularly my year in Vietnam serving with the 101st Airborne Division as an Infantry Officer and CH-47 Chinook pilot, were the most challenging, demanding, and many times the most intense I’ve ever experienced. It was also one of the most rewarding. During this time I trained, served, and flew with many brave men, who were courageous, compassionate, dedicated and professional. I do not believe I’ve ever experienced that level of dedication and comradeship in an organization since leaving the military service in the fall of 1973. This novel is dedicated to those men who served as helicopter pilots and crew members during the Vietnam War. I believe, these are some of the finest men America has ever produced.