The Blades Carry Me: Inside the Helicopter War in Vietnam

Some memoirs (even though I do enjoy every one) have almost a "cookie-cutter" feel to them, being so similar in format & feel to many others I've read. Months and years later I have difficulty telling one from another when I sort them in my mind. A few memoirs though, including this one, truly stand apart with a unique "feel" to the story, and convey powerful and sometimes emotional messages that tend to last better in my aging mind.There were spelling and grammar errors scattered throughout, but far fewer here than in many others I've read. But memoirs are the one place where that doesn't bother me. If anything it helps add to the personal feel of the story.If I had one complaint about this memoir, is that I was a bit sad to have it end. Here and there throughout the book there are parts where I wish there were more details. I'm not referring to personal topics the author may not want to describe in detail, but merely a few parts where the author's memories likely just didn't retain the information. I would have liked to hear more, but such is life.I'm very grateful to this author and his wife, for his service and their sacrifice, and for sharing their memories with us.

The Chinook is an unsung hero of the war. Great story told by a pilot, and his wife offers her unique perspective too. Fun fact; my dad rotated home at the same time Mr. Weatherill entered the combat zone. Check out his memoir, "Duster Duty, 1967".

Jim & Anne Weatherill have conspired to write the most lucid, gripping account of Vietnam service I’ve read. Both are fine writers which raises their stock immediately in the war memoirs genre. Particularly effective is that they write in the present tense. Thus, the reader is present to the action and emotions in a visceral way.Anne’s perspective is thoughtful and emblematic of the struggles of the homefront. She’s strong and brave and then a new mom to boot. What a year she had! And, there she was at LAX to embrace her husband and introduce him to their then eight month old daughter. Touching. Including Anne’s perspective brings the book a life not found in other military stories. Thanks for that.Jim Weatherill—Windy 70—is the poster child for Army aviation. A Warrant Officer, he overcomes the bias of commissioned officers and proves himself worthy in every way and finally as an instructor pilot. The friendships and harrowing experiences he lives through are breath taking. Such skill and courage are exemplary. He did his job exquisitely and ever-so skillfully but he did so much more. When he left Vietnam, the local mama sans, civilian workers and children gave him a surprise parade in thanks for a playground he built for them early in his tour.I was a Naval Aviator (helicopters) and combat free from 1969-73 but my brother was a Warrant officer flying Chinooks for the Army in 1968-69. He doesn’t talk much about his time in Nam but now I know some of what he went through. Jim Weatherill, hand salute and thank you.

As a Marine CH-46 pilot whose tour in Viet Nam overlapped Mr. Weatherill's, I appreciated his ability to convey the importance of the work the heavy lift helicopters contributed to the war effort. Being a true "helicopter" war means more than gunships supporting troops and slicks med-evacing wounded. The majority of hours flown were accomplished by the workhorses of these two services, the Army's CH-47 and the Marine's CH-46. Most of the missions flown were resupply, hauling cargo, munitions, food/water and personnel, and much of the time it was routine. Occasionally, sometimes often, and Jim does an excellent job describing the non-routine missions, the flying was dicey and dangerous. Enemy fire certainly raised the level of danger involved, but inclement weather and night flying were equally demanding situations. Well written regarding the aeronautical, mechanical and logistical side of the war.Jim's accounts were even more insightful in terms of describing emotional and physical demands placed on such young folks placed into such positions of responsibility and accountability. As a Marine aviation officer, I appreciated not being put into dangerous situations by superiors who had little aviation knowledge or didn't understand the requirements needed to accomplish a mission safely and effectively. Army pilots were sometimes commanded by Artillery or Infantry officers whose training or experiences may or may not have included understanding aviation tactics or capabilities.As a literature major, I enjoyed the style of writing and ease of transition between Jim and Annie. I expect non-combat experienced folks wil gain as much insight into heavy-lift helicopter operations as they would from Karl Malantes novel about Marine ground forces (grunts) in Viet Nam.

I was in the service the same time but so much I didn’t know. His wife gives her view which makes very interesting state side. Totally different than Written by old lifers. Took me a while To fInish as I lost many friends.

Well written account of a Chinook pilots experience in Vietnam. Sometimes it was hard reading as it felt like too much was happening at once, however this adds to the overall impact of flying in a war zone.

Excellent!