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More than a war story Feb 13, 2010
Lt. Col. Amend's story of his year as a Forward Air Controller("FAC") in Viet Nam is a fascinating, very well-written book. The highly decorated author does not dwell on the politics or history of the war. He simply tells the reader honestly and directly of his personal, true experiences as a combat pilot in Viet Nam. "A Duck Looking for Hunters" is informative as well as entertaining.
To be effective, an attack aircraft must have a target. That's where the Viet Nam FAC came in. Flying the military equivalent of a Cessna 170, the FAC located and marked targets with smoke rockets, called in fighter/bomber aircraft and controlled air strikes.
"A Duck Looking For Hunters" is a story of war, but also much more. The author shares an inside look at the daily lives of these men who fought for their country. He reveals the pathos suffered by being named as the Investigating Officer officially reporting on the death of a fellow FAC and close friend. For pilots to stay in physical shape, tennis offered FACs opportunity for exercise. They found wry entertainment by battling resident rats. FAC support of missionaries by aerial delivery of surplus military food gave help to fellow Americans in dire circumstances. Forming a singing group helped sustain the faith and strengthen the morale of these military men far from family and home.
These abnd other chapters tell how a squadron of U.S. Air Force combat pilots coped with the stresses accompanying their extremely dangerous assignment. It is a stimulating reminder of the commitment of American soldiers courageously performing a horrendous task in unwelcome circumstances not of their own making.
The book carries worth beyond the purchase price. In a modest epilogue, readers meet the man beyond the uniform. As a military instructor, husband, father/grandfather and generally capable citizen, the author appears to be a person well worth knowing.
Certainly, "A Duck Looking For Hunters" is a book worth reading and I have ordered two more copies as gifts.
Duty, Honor, Country Jan 30, 2010
A monumental and heartwarming account of one Forward Air Controller's experience in Viet Nam. Lots of battle drama, political incites, and personal accounts of
courage, character, sacrifice, innovation, commitment to fellow servicemen, anguish over separation from family, incidental service above and beyond the call to Christian missionaries serving the native people amidst the havoc of war, faith and survival. The book is well written with plenty of historical context. Fascinating read.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
The FAC legacy has been preserved, Finally. Jan 22, 2010
History has certainly slighted the Forward Air Controllers (FAC's) and the mission they performed during the Second Southeast Asia war. No doubt this was unintentional, but a slight just the same. One can easily compile statistics and even use them to promote their agenda, depending, of course, on what is used, or omitted, for argument. Although history may have slighted the FACs, the statistics are clear and have since proven the FAC Mission to be one of the most dangerous missions during the Vietnam War. Lieutenant Colonel Dale Amend's book, "A Duck Looking For Hunters" offers the reader an opportunity to verify the documented statistics.
Having read Colonel Amend's book I must commend him for his efforts. I have no doubt this project summoned many heart wrenching situations that would best serve the author if they had been left in the past. However, Colonel Amend chose to shoulder this burden and has done a tremendous service honoring the legacy of the Forward Air Controller in perpetuity with his book.
I have often heard the phrase "history is not what actually happened, but what has been written". Having served as a Crew Chief in Vietnam with the Forward Air Controllers, I know from experience what Colonel Amend has written is an actual account of history.
Robert B. Green
Sergeant 19 TASS
Bien Hoa, S. Vietnam 1966 -67
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Excellent True Story - A Winner - Must Read Jan 06, 2010
"A Duck Looking for Hunters" is an excellent book about Forward Air Controllers (FACs) written by a FAC who was there, flew 423 combat missions, and tells it all like it was. Chapter 32 "Ban Me Thuot and The Best FAC", is a glowing tribute to the FAC named Dan Preston (pseudonym). In this true story, The Commander in Chief, President Lyndon Baines Johnson, pins The Silver Star for Valor in Combat on Preston's chest at Pleiku Air Base. The bizarre circumstances of the story made me laugh and cry at the same time, because Dan Preston's actual name is John Francis Nolan, and I am his daughter. Since everything about Preston (Nolan) in the book is highly favorable, the author has given me permission to reveal his true identity. After the book was published, the author continued his attempts to find my father, but Dad had died of natural causes ten years earlier. The author did locate other family members, including me. I am proud to report that subsequent to the time of the story, my father returned to Vietnam voluntarily and was awarded his second and third Silver Star as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross. He continued to deserve the title "The Best FAC". Lt. Col. Amend's writing style is candid and readable. The entire book is a winner. You must read it! Deborah Nolan Abernathy
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
No punches Pulled Dec 16, 2009
Dale does a great job of telling his story in a factual and direct manner. As a fellow Air Force pilot it was possible for me to relate to his experiences without difficulty. My flying career also gave me the background to see the truth and the drama in his sometimes understated adventures. The FAC business in Vietnam was brutal and immediate, yet Dale lays it out in a personal dialog that has you on the edge of your seat. He even weaves in a few self-induced adventures of his own and other FACs.
Nobody wants to float around in an unarmed, single engine, puddle jumper, deliberately looking for people who are dead set on blowing you out of the sky, yet Dale Amend and his fellow FACs did that every day. And they did it effectively and with style and grace - most of the time.
His views and stories on the administrative foolishness that combat aircrews have to put up with while at the same time putting their fannies on the line daily, ring so true to those of us who have been through very similar adventures in silliness.
If you are looking for a book to give you a front seat view of a Bird Dog FAC's daily life and adventures, this is it. No fluf, no ooh ah, just the straight story. A DUCK LOOKING FOR HUNTERS certainly opened my eyes to a world of Air Force flying that I had never seen before.
Donn A. Byrnes
Col. USAF (Ret)
Author of:
BLACKBIRD RISING - Birth of an aviation legend and AIR SUPERIORITY BLUE - The F-15 story.
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