John Fifteen Thirteen

As the RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) came flying toward my side of the helicopter, my life literally flashed before my eyes. It was pitch-black outside, so the helo crew was flying on NODs (night observation devices). The crew was short a door-gunner, so I filled in on the starboard door gun. Through my NODs, I could see the RPG round sailing toward us. It came at us so fast; I didn't have time to call it out. We were conducting a routine drop off and pick up of personnel and had just take...