Chickenhawk (book)
Encyclopedia
Chickenhawk is Robert Mason
's narrative
of his experiences as a UH-1 Iroquois
helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War
. The book chronicles his enlistment, flight training, deployment to and experiences in Vietnam, and his experiences after returning from the war.
). He began writing Chickenhawk on May 17, 1979 while living in Florida
. The first chapter written was what became the fifth chapter in the finished book. By February 1980, Mason had a 200-page partial manuscript (about one-third), and an outline of the rest of his memoir, finished, and Knox agreed to shop the book to publishers.
While waiting to see whether Burger could sell the book, Mason began writing what would eventually be his second book, a novel, Weapon. In January 1981 he was arrested for attempting to smuggle a boatload of marijuana from Colombia
into the United States
.
In early 1981, while awaiting trial on the criminal charges, Mason learned that Viking Press
had purchased Chickenhawk and started working on finishing the book.
By Christmas
of that year, the manuscript was finished. Editing was completed by June 1982.
In the meantime, in March 1982, Mason was convicted on the smuggling charges. In August 1982, he was sentenced to five years in a minimum security prison
, but was allowed to remain free on bail pending an appeal of his conviction.
In early August 1983, Chickenhawk was published. Early reviews were positive, including a glowing review in the New York Times.
He was booked for an appearance on the The Today Show and was interviewed several times. In the midst of this, Mason's appeals were exhausted and he learned that his incarceration was set to begin on August 19, 1983. The Today Show appearance took place August 15, and sales of the book benefited from the author's own ongoing drama as well as his widely praised writing.
Mason was released on May 17, 1985. While he was imprisoned, Chickenhawk had become a hardcover and paperback best-seller.
Mason has subsequently published two novels, Solo and Weapon, as well as a second memoir, Chickenhawk: Back in the World.
Chapter One, "Wings", covers the period June 1964 to 1965 and details Mason's training at the Army's Primary Helicopter School at Fort Wolters
, Texas
. After graduation in May 1965, most of Mason's classmates were sent to Vietnam. Mason thought he had avoided the war but, in late July, learned that he would be going overseas.
The second chapter, "August Cruise", describes Mason's trip to Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) aboard the USS Croatan
, in August 1965.
"Setting Up Camp", the third chapter, tells the story of the Cavalry's deployment to An Khe
, in central South Vietnam, and Mason's first combat experiences in September 1965.
Chapter Four, "Happy Valley", covers October 1965 and describes, among other things, Mason's first R&R
in Saigon and an episode in which he accidentally shot out the instrument panel of his own helicopter with a .45
.
Chapter Five, "Ia Drang", describes the increasingly hectic pace of the fighting in November 1965, during the Battle of Ia Drang
.
December 1965 is described in chapter six, "The Holidays". Mason and a similarly experienced pilot, Resler, who became one of Mason's closest friends from Vietnam, began flying together.
The seventh chapter, "The Rifle Range", describes the events of January 1966, in which Mason crashed his Huey on landing, causing moderate damage but escaping without injury.
Chapter eight, "Bong Son Valley", written about the events of February 1966, contains Mason's description of a Vietnamese village and the bars of Qui Nhon
.
In chapter nine, "Tension", Mason details his R&R in Taiwan
in March 1966 and his decision to volunteer for a transfer out of the "Cav" to another helicopter unit.
"Grounded", chapter ten, deals with Mason's grounding due to illness and his relief at being able to fly again in April 1966.
By May 1966, Mason was a short-timer, with his year-long tour in Vietnam winding down. Chapter eleven, "Transfer", describes his transfer out of the Cav to a unit nicknamed The Prospectors and his surprise at learning, a few weeks later, that Resler had also transferred to the same unit.
Chapter twelve, "La Guerilla Bonita", contains Mason's experience with unwilling ARVN soldiers in June 1966 and the side-business of The Prospectors: delivering ice
around Vietnam, in exchange for various commodities and favours. It also contains the first hints of the post-traumatic stress disorder
problems Mason would experience more seriously after the war.
"Tell Me You're Afraid", chapter thirteen, covers Mason's last months in Vietnam, July and August 1966.
In an epilogue, Mason sketches out his activities upon returning to the States.
Robert Mason (writer)
Robert C. Mason is a Vietnam War veteran and author of several books, including his first, best-selling memoir: Chickenhawk . Mason piloted Huey "Slicks" in the United States Army as a Warrant Officer 1...
's narrative
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
of his experiences as a UH-1 Iroquois
UH-1 Iroquois
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew...
helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. The book chronicles his enlistment, flight training, deployment to and experiences in Vietnam, and his experiences after returning from the war.
Writing, Publishing, and Reaction
Mason was encouraged to write his Vietnam memoir by Knox Burger, the editor of an author-friend of Mason (Bill Smith, better known as Martin Cruz SmithMartin Cruz Smith
Martin Cruz Smith is an American mystery novelist.-Early life and education:Born Martin William Smith in Reading, Pennsylvania, he was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in creative writing in 1964...
). He began writing Chickenhawk on May 17, 1979 while living in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. The first chapter written was what became the fifth chapter in the finished book. By February 1980, Mason had a 200-page partial manuscript (about one-third), and an outline of the rest of his memoir, finished, and Knox agreed to shop the book to publishers.
While waiting to see whether Burger could sell the book, Mason began writing what would eventually be his second book, a novel, Weapon. In January 1981 he was arrested for attempting to smuggle a boatload of marijuana from Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
into the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
In early 1981, while awaiting trial on the criminal charges, Mason learned that Viking Press
Viking Press
Viking Press is an American publishing company owned by the Penguin Group, which has owned the company since 1975. It was founded in New York City on March 1, 1925, by Harold K. Guinzburg and George S. Oppenheim...
had purchased Chickenhawk and started working on finishing the book.
By Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
of that year, the manuscript was finished. Editing was completed by June 1982.
In the meantime, in March 1982, Mason was convicted on the smuggling charges. In August 1982, he was sentenced to five years in a minimum security prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
, but was allowed to remain free on bail pending an appeal of his conviction.
In early August 1983, Chickenhawk was published. Early reviews were positive, including a glowing review in the New York Times.
He was booked for an appearance on the The Today Show and was interviewed several times. In the midst of this, Mason's appeals were exhausted and he learned that his incarceration was set to begin on August 19, 1983. The Today Show appearance took place August 15, and sales of the book benefited from the author's own ongoing drama as well as his widely praised writing.
Mason was released on May 17, 1985. While he was imprisoned, Chickenhawk had become a hardcover and paperback best-seller.
Mason has subsequently published two novels, Solo and Weapon, as well as a second memoir, Chickenhawk: Back in the World.
Structure and Story
Chickenhawk deals chronologically with Mason's training and his experiences in, and immediately after, Vietnam.Chapter One, "Wings", covers the period June 1964 to 1965 and details Mason's training at the Army's Primary Helicopter School at Fort Wolters
Fort Wolters
Fort Wolters was a United States military installation four miles northeast of Mineral Wells, Texas. Originally named Camp Wolters, it was an Army camp from 1925 to 1946. During World War II, it was for a time the largest infantry replacement training center in the United States. After the war, the...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. After graduation in May 1965, most of Mason's classmates were sent to Vietnam. Mason thought he had avoided the war but, in late July, learned that he would be going overseas.
The second chapter, "August Cruise", describes Mason's trip to Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) aboard the USS Croatan
USS Croatan
Two ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Croatan, after the Croatan Sound of the North Carolina coast.* The , was an escort aircraft carrier loaned to the United Kingdom and operated as the HMS Fencer from February 1943 to 1946....
, in August 1965.
"Setting Up Camp", the third chapter, tells the story of the Cavalry's deployment to An Khe
An Khe
"An Khe" is the 102nd The West Wing episode and 14th of the fifth season. It originally aired on NBC February 18, 2004. Events circle around the rescue of five US pilots shot down over North Korea. Written by John Wells and directed by Alex Graves, the episode contains guest appearances by Philip...
, in central South Vietnam, and Mason's first combat experiences in September 1965.
Chapter Four, "Happy Valley", covers October 1965 and describes, among other things, Mason's first R&R
R&R (military)
R&R, military slang for rest and recuperation , is a term used for the free time of a soldier in the US military or International UN staff serving in non-family duty stations. R&R includes various forms, including mail, sports, film screenings, using the services of prostitutes and leave time...
in Saigon and an episode in which he accidentally shot out the instrument panel of his own helicopter with a .45
.45
.45 may refer to:* .45 ACP, a cartridge designed by John Browning in 1904, for use in his prototype Colt semi-automatic .45 pistol and eventually the M1911 pistol adopted by the United States Army in 1911* .45-70, a cartridge developed at the U.S...
.
Chapter Five, "Ia Drang", describes the increasingly hectic pace of the fighting in November 1965, during the Battle of Ia Drang
Battle of Ia Drang
The Battle of Ia Drang was the first major battle between the United States Army and the People's Army of Vietnam The Battle of Ia Drang was the first major battle between the United States Army and the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) The Battle of Ia Drang was the first major battle between the...
.
December 1965 is described in chapter six, "The Holidays". Mason and a similarly experienced pilot, Resler, who became one of Mason's closest friends from Vietnam, began flying together.
The seventh chapter, "The Rifle Range", describes the events of January 1966, in which Mason crashed his Huey on landing, causing moderate damage but escaping without injury.
Chapter eight, "Bong Son Valley", written about the events of February 1966, contains Mason's description of a Vietnamese village and the bars of Qui Nhon
Qui Nhon
Qui Nhơn , also Quy Nhơn, is a coastal city in Binh Dinh province in central Vietnam. It is composed of 16 wards and five communes with a total of 286 km². Quy Nhon is the capital of Bình Định province. As of 2009 its population was 280,900. Historically, the commercial activities of the city...
.
In chapter nine, "Tension", Mason details his R&R in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
in March 1966 and his decision to volunteer for a transfer out of the "Cav" to another helicopter unit.
"Grounded", chapter ten, deals with Mason's grounding due to illness and his relief at being able to fly again in April 1966.
By May 1966, Mason was a short-timer, with his year-long tour in Vietnam winding down. Chapter eleven, "Transfer", describes his transfer out of the Cav to a unit nicknamed The Prospectors and his surprise at learning, a few weeks later, that Resler had also transferred to the same unit.
Chapter twelve, "La Guerilla Bonita", contains Mason's experience with unwilling ARVN soldiers in June 1966 and the side-business of The Prospectors: delivering ice
Ice
Ice is water frozen into the solid state. Usually ice is the phase known as ice Ih, which is the most abundant of the varying solid phases on the Earth's surface. It can appear transparent or opaque bluish-white color, depending on the presence of impurities or air inclusions...
around Vietnam, in exchange for various commodities and favours. It also contains the first hints of the post-traumatic stress disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Posttraumaticstress disorder is a severe anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to any event that results in psychological trauma. This event may involve the threat of death to oneself or to someone else, or to one's own or someone else's physical, sexual, or psychological integrity,...
problems Mason would experience more seriously after the war.
"Tell Me You're Afraid", chapter thirteen, covers Mason's last months in Vietnam, July and August 1966.
In an epilogue, Mason sketches out his activities upon returning to the States.