Summary of Patrick Henry Brady & Meghan Brady Smith'sDead Men Flying

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview: #1 I had just graduated from flight school and volunteered for Viet Nam.

I hoped a combat tour would help me improve my mediocre career.

The 57th Medical Detachment was the only helicopter ambulance unit in Viet Nam.#2 The third commander of the 57th was Major Charles Kelly.

He was reputed to be a bit of a rascal to work with, and he was getting weary of being separated from his beloved wife Jessie and their children.#3 The first words I heard from him were, We never covered ourselves with glory today.

During that morning's operation, an American helicopter had gone down in the South China Sea.

Kelly and his crew were overhead, heard the call for help, and almost beat the falling bird to the water.#4 The crew of a Dust Off mission consisted of the pilot, a co-pilot, a medic to tend the wounded, and a crew chief who owned and maintained the helicopter.

The medic and crew chief also served as door gunners covering the flanks of the helicopter on approach and take off.