Catkiller 3-2: An Army Pilot Flying for the Marines in the Vietnam War

by Raymond G. Caryl Narrated by Tom Parks

Overview

Catkiller 3-2 provides unique insights into the role of the tactical air controller, airborne (TACA) in I Corps as seen through the eyes of one of the pilots who flew low-flying, unarmed, single-engine aircraft in support of marine ground units during the Vietnam War. When Gen. William Westmoreland changed the marines' role in I Corps into a combat one, the Marines found themselves in need of more fixed wing aircraft to handle the TACA missions. The advance party of the Army's 220th Reconnaissance Aircraft Company (RAC) arrived in Vietnam in late June 1965 thinking they were going to be assigned to III Corps Tactical Zone. However, because of the shortage of existing Marine Birddogs, the 220th was immediately reassigned to I Corps and came under the operational control of the Marines.



No other work details the tactics, restrictions, aerial maneuvers, and dangers experienced by the army pilots and marine aerial observers flying these missions. As young lieutenants and captains, they had at their beck and call as much authority to request and control artillery and air strikes as ground commanders of much higher rank. Raymond G. Caryl provides unrivaled examples of the cultural mores, attitudes, and recreational activity of these young pilots and observers supporting the ground forces.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"A Shau Valley. Northern I Corps. The most dangerous piece of real estate in the world. Every time he took off in his 100mph Birddog, Ray Caryl knew that a virtually invisible enemy were waiting to kill him. This is a reminder of what brave men did to protect fellow Americans in combat." --Jim Hooper, author of A Hundred Feet Over Hell


"Raymond Caryl's Catkiller 3-2 is a well-written and thoughtful first person account with an unusual two-service perspective. The author comes across as fair-minded and decent, someone you would like to know or serve with, and has given us an excellent contribution to the literature of the Vietnam War."--Lewis Sorley, author of A Better War: The Unexamined Victories and Final Tragedy of America's Last Years in Vietnam

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172861239
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	07/13/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged

Videos