This Is Minuteman: Two, Three...Go!: Memoirs of a Helicopter Pilot in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan

My reason for choosing this book was to connect some of the experience of our youngest son that we had not been aware of. Of course we understood the desire of our soldier to shield the parents from as much worry as possible. Frequently, this resulted in being complete ignorance of what was happening day to day during deployments. Chanson moved though his story with minimum words, good use of the language, and few grammatical errors. Obviously a skilled pilot and careing leader, Mr. Chanson values the contribution of his flight crews and understands the importance of team work in continuing survival of dangerous situations. Our own son's response to inquiries was short and direct. While flying over enemy ground his job was to "Watch rocks." His Kiowa ship was said to have been to small and to fast to actually get hit by rocket or small arms fire. After reading Chasson I feel a little more understanding of his life on deployment and do consider this a valuable read.

This book is absolutely INCREDIBLE!!! You literally feel like you are there with Wayne as he journeys through his experiences. I often wondered throughout the book how he ever managed to survive half of the stuff he went through and now understand why he had the nickname "magnet ass" Throughout the memoir you can feel the intense passion he has for flying, in the worst of scenarios in Vietnam, in mentoring other pilots and in his wanting to return to flying even into his late 60s as a civilian pilot going into a war zone. What an amazing career and vast experience he brought to the military and to those he mentored. I have never in my entire life been so captivated by a book that I had to finish it in one sitting without a break, completely unable to unglue myself from the couch or the book. That might be the first time I have gone that many hours without looking at my cell phone even once. I HIGHLY recommend this book!!!

I have read many books on the Vietnam War and probably a dozen by pilots who fought in that war. This one further helped fill out my understanding.The emotional and intellectual reactions of the helicopter pilots to the war seem all over the map. Chasson seems much less affected in a negative way from his experiences than others I've read. He was willing to extend his your in Vietnam by 6 months in order to get out of the Army sooner. Yet he explains some dangerous close calls that wouldn't make me want to stay another 6 months. I think the high of flying and action really kept many of the flyers charged up. He liked flying so much he was doing dangerous flying in Afghanistan as a civilian contractor in his 60s. The pilots in their 30s, 40s, 50s didn't want to? Did Vietnam train many American pilots to love combat flying?One highlight: fighting with VC over a deer for dinner. The war produced conditions from which improbable stories happened.I would also recommend Hornet 33 by Ed Denny. Just when it seems the war is over for Denny and he's about to go home one last mission and it ratchets up in amazing and extreme ways. The book has big surprises that I'm surprised he survived. What a brutal close call. I won't tell you spoilers. But it was very revealing both about ARVN and the quality of thinking of the officers and what had or hadn't been learned.I would also recommend Vietnam Saga by Stan Corvin. After flying for the US Army he came back to fly for the CIA in 1972 after the war was effectively lost. Most of his Army flying was low level dangerous loach flying. He hated communists and what they did and took great risks to kill them eagerly. I am amazed at how much the LOH pilots were subjected to and they deserved better than the hand they were dealt.

Wayne Chasson brings us into the Vietnam Nam conflict by recalling stories of 18 months of in-country flying. We experience camaraderie, combat, and harrowing experiences in a non political narrative. Full disclosure Wayne and I were friends in high school. He was unassuming and well liked by all. Because he was so damn good looking it is amazing that his personality was so subdued. This memoir is written in a voice that is consistent with the guy I knew then. You will find it a compelling read without rancor or bragging. Wayne earned three Purple Hearts but by his account, they meant very little because each instance involved teammates dealing with harrowing actions and he was just doing his best to help out. Five stars because it brings us into the time and place without needless background and justification, it is a well told story worth reading.

“This is Minuteman Two-Three ....Go” is a book I highly recommend to everyone! From the get go you feel drawn into experiences very few people could even imagine. It is very well written making it a breeze to follow and easy to absorb details that otherwise may have been difficult to understand. I learned so much, I cried and at times I found myself laughing.It’s wonderful the author decided to share his amazing true story and that he does so with honesty, compassion and without any airs. Mr. Chasson is the real deal!

CW04 Wayne Chasson is a true American Hero. Pragmatic, humorous, and bashful, he displays the characteristics that made this country great. His personal accounts of combat left me shaking my head in awe and appreciation of this man's dedication to duty. I highly recommend this book to those who want a real-life account of what it was like to be a combat helicopter pilot in the Vietnam war. You might even want to play 60's music while you read to get the full monty….

I truly enjoyed this book which is very well written and hard to put down. Having been associated with aviation for over forty years as a Navy helicopter pilot and an Aerospace engineer designing helicopters, Wayne does an outstanding job of describing military aviation life, friendships, and the joy of flying; especially helicopters. To quote a bumper sticker from flight training: "to fly is heavenly, to hover is divine".

A well written, moving book, written honestly and with one man's point of view - the way it should be. I am English, ex Royal Air Force ground crew, I served 17 years from 1977. I also served in H M Coastguard Search & Rescue for 12 years after leaving the RAF. I have seen things I try to forget and done things I would rather not have done, none of which comes close to what you all went through in Vietnam. You have my respect - all passed and present. God Bless You all.

Good read, comes across as very natural (as opposed to polished & more politically correct from a ghost writer), and ny only disappointment is that it doesn't give any more details about Afghanistan (other than 'heat' & 'mayhem' & a tiny bit about accommodation and the risk of rocket attacks).To the author: hope that writing this book has made a neaningful impact on your pension plan!

I enjoyed this book as much as I did "Chickenhawk", (which is probably one of my all time favourite books).A very modest account which is well written and is an easy read. Got through it in a few days as couldn't put it down!

Wayne Chasson, memories of another time now, but for my generation of his age some never forget, thanks for sharing this your adventure into Armageddon of its time, and to you a salute for your bravery, RIP also to your brothers in arms.

I enjoyed the book. Mr Chasson has modestly told his story, it is well written and easy to read. It is a story of a brave man, that is often funny and sometimes somber. I would recommend it to anyone interested in Vietnam aviation or even The Vietnam war. Nearly as good as Chickenhawk