“I found the book STINGERS to be accurate and engaging”

I have read many books written by helicopter pilots about their experiences flying in Vietnam, but never one from the perspective of the extraordinarily important position of crew chief. I salute the author for a job well done. Helicopter pilots and their enlisted crew are very close-knit teams, greatly depending on each other, displaying mutual respect, and enjoying a more casual relationship than in other military organizations/teams. STINGERS exemplifies this connection. Although I flew Army helicopters in Vietnam, I believe it accurate that the pilot and enlisted crew relationship is unique in all branches of service and in all eras of combat. To Fred Allen and all crew chiefs and gunners-thank you for literally watching our backs! SP5 Fred Allen-thanks for serving and sharing your extraordinary story.

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2023 by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas G. Eastman, The last Outlaw 16
175th Assault Helicopter Company

“A well done and profound documentary of a sky soldier’s Vietnam experience.”

“The author provides a lot of descriptive detail of his day to day experiences as a combat helicopter gun ship crew chief. I enjoyed this book and it brought back a lot of memories of my combat tour in Vietnam 1970 -71. I served with the First Air Cav, 2/5 in III Corp. and participated in the Cambodia incursion April 30th, 1970. I made it 49 days before being wounded. After 5 weeks at the 483rd Evac hospital, I returned to my unit to serve out my tour. I give a lot of credit to the medevac (dustoff) and gun ship crews for saving a tremendous number of American lives. I salute you!”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2022 by Mark C.

“Masterpiece - So well written”

“The almost childlike thoughts of a young man going to war slowly turns into mental pain that affected so many Vietnam vets in the battle areas. Had me in tears as the author boarded the plane to return home. Vietnam was a turning point. War came into our living rooms and the effects of war on soldiers became properly understood. This book explains this beautifully.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2022

“the author tells the True story”

“of his experiences while serving in one of the war’s most dangerous combat positions.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2021

“stunning read”

“The Vietnam war is the most difficult and emotional war I have ever seen. A wonderful book.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 24, 2022 by a British Army veteran

“truth from the source”

“This book is among the best, most straightforward recollection of the Vietnam era I have ever read. As an avid reader of war history, I truly enjoyed its honest and clear perspective . Mr Allen made no attempt to dress up or cover up his life or the actions of the military. A great read that helped me to better understand those great men who were mired in a hopeless situation .”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2021 - Ed Med

“Welcome Home Sgt. Allen”

“Thank you for your memories. Very well said. I have read fifty plus memoirs written by Vietnam warrior veterans. this book is the top two.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2021 - Larry Arthur

“Gripping Story!”

“The author paints a very special picture of his experience in Vietnam. It's amazing he survived as well as he did.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States October 30, 2021

“Accurate and factual”

“I was in the same unit as Fred at the same time and remember a lot of the things he writes about in his book. I was an engine tech and worked on Fred's ship, 470, more than once. For all of us in the unit, the Stingers were held in the highest regard. Good job on the book Fred. "YA DONE GOOD"

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States April 17, 2022 by Mike Barlow, former Turbine Engine Technician - 116th AHC

“Every time his helicopter”

“brought him and his crew back safely from dangerous missions, Allen would pat the tail of his beloved aircraft in appreciation. As a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran, Allen tells the gritty truth of war and why so many great soldiers came home in body bags. The rest suffered the consequences of the war for the rest of their lives. This book is brutally honest and well told. Thank you, Mr. Allen, for serving. “

4 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2022

“Fellow warrior”

“The graphic descriptions are strongly authentic without overwhelming blood and guts. The emotions a young man experiences in those frightening and unusual times are well written. This is an honest look at war that changes a young man. Excellent portrayal of a door gunner’s life on a gun ship in the heat of battle. Emotional time for a boy changing to a man under fire.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2021 - Tom Allen 1st Air Cavalry, 3rd Brigade 68-69

“my greatest respect”

“and appreciation for the Stingers. As an S3 Air controller in III Corps, Stinger gunships enabled many successful operations for us. Allen’s book is an excellent read. I hope some of the hundreds of grunts the Stingers protected have been able to say “thanks”. Well, as a commander, here is a Big Thank You and welcome Home.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2021 - Gordon Dyson, U.S. Army -LTC Retired

“As someone who was fortunate”

“to miss being drawn into this war by a couple of years, I am stunned at the Bravery, Courage, and Dedication on display in this book. The thousands who answered the call of their Country are owed a huge debt of gratitude for risking, and for some, giving it ALL . I stayed up late reading because I was so captivated by the story. I could not stop thinking about what a huge affect this war had to have on all the soldiers who served. Thank you for your service, Mr. Allen and thank you for sharing your story. “

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2021

“Our pilots told us”

“about the Ho Chi Minh trail and the Border with Laos. They remained silent and somber about their missions. By the end of my tour, we all questioned why we were there. Body count was a horrible way to measure significance. The author told it right. While in Vietnam, my God and Father called me to be a pastor. Had Fred's experience been mine, I wonder what my story would have been. This book helped as a deep grief gripped me, realizing my brothers from the war were the only ones who could really understand.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States February 18, 2022

“A MUST READ!”

“I spent 18 months in the central highlands of Vietnam in 66-67. To read what this soldier experienced towards the end of the war breaks my heart. Even back In 1966, I sensed we had no strategy to win the war. I pray the author is able to live the rest of his life in as little pain as possible.“

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2021

“Thank you for sharing, fred”

“I rated this book 5 stars because only the men & women who were there can tell the real story of what their Vietnam war was like. The author did a great job of that. It is a good read written in a relaxed style. I felt like the author was speaking directly to me. I appreciate his efforts and hope he found that putting his story on paper brought some peace.“

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2022

“Excellent Read”

“Very interesting to see the war from the perspective of a door gunner. Really brings that experience to life. Also does a good job of illustrating how the horrors of war build up in a person and can then fester for years if not properly treated and supported. Unfortunately, our understanding of PTSD was in its infancy when the Vietnam veterans returned home.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2022

“Excellent and so Sad”

“Mr. Allen's description of his time in that hell hole was great. He didn't just cover his actions, but included Headlines and facts that most people don't remember. He started gung-ho, but as the months went by, he let the reader know what he, as a person, was going through and how he was dealing with it. God be with all our Veterans, they have seen the worst.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2021

“Thank you for your courage and Skills!”

“Without which more combat troops would have perished. I honestly don't know how you did it, but somehow you held it together! You're insight and honesty speaks volumes for the troops who put it on the line! Thank you for sharing your story! “

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2021

“Very Good Read. Well done.”

“The author had many hair raising experiences in a very short period of time. He does an outstanding job of succinctly describing many of them. I also appreciated his description of the missions and gunship equipment I was not aware of.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2021

“A Service Admired and Appreciated”

“This book gave me a very clear picture of the horror of war. I think the author is a very brave man to dredge up these terrible images so I can understand the Vietnam Vet. Thank you!”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2022

“Fantastic Book”

“This is the best book I have read by a Vietnam vet and I have read quite a few. Honest, straight forward and very interesting! I highly recommend this book.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2022

“very good and informative read”

“I couldn't put the book down once I started reading it. The author not only kept the book informative but also made it a real nail bitter. I highly recommend this excellent read.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2022 - John

”thank you for sharing your story”

“I would happily recommend this book to anyone interested in reading about the Vietnam war. I liked the technical aspect in terms of your experience as a crew chief.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2021 - Don K.

“Fantastic book by a crew chief/door gunner”

“You don't get to read many books by enlisted people on helicopters in Vietnam. Mr. Allen can write a damned good book! Welcome home!”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2022 - Birdman

“A great read. Well written and expressive”

“Thank you Mr. Allen for your service and for making this historical contribution documenting your experiences and feelings”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2021 - Brian Davis

“This is a well written memoir”

“by a man that lived through one of the most dangerous jobs in Vietnam. Mr. Allen, Thanks for serving and sharing your story. For readers interested in the Vietnam War, this is a must read.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2022

“So, I’ve read a lot of books on the war”

“This one was very good, well written and kept me involved from page one, right to the very end. Highly recommended.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2022 - kb

“This is an excellent read”

“that captures the physical and emotional aspects of the Vietnam War very well. I recommend it.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2021 - Robert C. Hudson

“The Stingers was one of the oldest gunship Platoons”

“that served in the Vietnam War. I was one of the pilots during the period of time this book covers. The book is factually correct in the actions and methods the Stingers flew. Thank you for chronicling part of our platoon’s history, Fred.”

4 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2022 Author’s Note: This review is by CW2 Stanley Snodgrass. I remember flying with Mr. Snodgrass a few times. He was a great pilot.

“Memories returned”

“I also was a crew chief/ gunner on a First Cavalry Gunship. This book brought back a lot of memories, good and bad. I am now 75 years old, it was good to read a book from the perspective of the guys in back.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2022 - deseretrat

“Honest and Rewarding”

“I’ve read dozens of Vietnam books, written by our heroes who served. This is one of the best I’ve read. Finished in 2 gulps. The author was and is one of the best of his generation. I thank him for his service and for sharing.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2021 - SethRJR

“Thank you”

“I too was a young man in that era a couple of years younger than you. I was terrified of having to go to war. Fortunately the war ended before my time came, but I saw the destruction it caused to my brother and friends. I thank you for sharing your perspective and emotions.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2022 - Philip R. Kilmer

“Wow, what an amazing story”

"I would strongly recommend this book to anyone. If you are already a supporter of our heroes in uniform, and especially if you are not yet, this is a well written book. Very informative. Thank you.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2022 - Paul R

“Excellent book and viewpoint of the war”

“Thank you for your service and the sacrifices that you made in the service of your Country. God bless.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2022 - The Bobster

“Excellent Book For Vietnam Reality”

“I enjoyed this book for its first person account of what really went on in Vietnam. His account of what he did and what he went through is an eye opener.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2022 - Glenn P. Lambert

“Thank you for serving”

“We proudly express our deep devotion to the men who served and died for the cause they fought for. Thank you!”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2022 - Kim

“Familiar places”

“The names of places and the time frame brought back memories of my time serving as a pilot during that same period. Very real issues were told much as I remember them.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2021 - LTC Richard Jackson, retired - U.S. Army

“This is a well written experience”

“of a man that was proud to serve. He pulls no punches about the killing that was necessary to do his job and to survive. One of the better books I have read about Vietnam.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2021 - Brian R.

“Excellent firsthand account”

“Very well written. First of all, thank you for your service and welcome home, Fred Allen. Secondly, thank you for this excellent account of your time in service and of the aftermath.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2021 - rassik

“A story of honor and success”

“As a combat veteran I recommend everyone read this story so they understand why we served and are honored to accept your “Thank You”. It helps to hear those important words.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2021 - 4th Infantry Division veteran

“Vietnam from the air”

“This book is a clear view of what happened during the Vietnam war. This account was not sugar coated. Welcome back!”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2021 - George Morris

“Welcome Home”

“A well written book that gives the reader a view of the day to day life of a gunship crew. You can almost see and feel the stress and horrors of their daily lives. The only things missing is the heat and the smells of that war. Thank you Fred Allen and Welcome Home!!”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2022 - Florida Gator

“A great explanation of the highs and lows”

“Some went to Vietnam to serve, only to return with a sense of having seen too few results and having paid too high a price. God bless them all....”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2022

“Good read”

“This was a good book from an interesting perspective. It was very easy to read and understand. I enjoyed it.”

5 Stars - Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2022 - Jeff

“UNTIL I READ THIS BOOK”

“I had no idea the door gunners operated their weapons loose in their hands while leaning out the doors. These guys were bad asses! This book is a great read about one type of chopper unit.”

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2022 by R.W. Brown