Guts 'N Gunships cover art

Guts 'N Gunships

What It Was Really Like to Fly Combat Helicopters in Vietnam

Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Guts 'N Gunships

By: Mark Garrison
Narrated by: Eric Martin
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

About this listen

In the summer of 1967, Mark Garrison had dropped out of college at Southern Illinois University just before entering his third year. He had run out of money and had to work for a while. These were the days before the lottery and the draft soon came calling. In order to somewhat control his own future, he enlisted in the US Army's helicopter flight school program. Little did he know that this adventure would be the most profound experience of his life.

Garrison flew hundreds of missions for the 119th AHC, stationed in the Central Highlands at Camp Holloway in Pleiku, Vietnam. He was awarded 25 Air Medals, four campaign Bronze Stars, and The Distinguished Flying Cross, among numerous other awards. His narrative takes you through the whole process, from basic training, flight school, flying combat in Vietnam, and his return to the United States. His description includes many incidents in combat flight, including being hit by rocket propelled grenades and being on fire in the air, over hundreds if not thousands of enemy troops. But this is not all. He elaborates on the daily lives, emotions, and nuances of the pilots and what they considered their mission to be.

Guts 'N Gunships is a must listen if you are to have a realistic understanding of what flying helicopters in Vietnam combat was all about.

©2015 mark v garrison (P)2015 mark v garrison
Air Forces Americas Armed Forces Military US Army US Air Force Aviation
All stars
Most relevant  
Garrison has a great story to tell that is fascinating, exciting, funny and deeply sad. His experiences in Vietnam have followed him through his life and this book is clearly cathartic for him.

While not supporting the people behind the war, during the war he and the other 'crocs' made the decision every day to support the guys on the ground so as many of them could get home alive as possible!

But Garrison doesn't allow his story to become preachy. Instead it is action packed and full of gritty memories from flight school and all the way through his time in Vietnam.

The narrator has a voice that is easy to listen to and suits the story.

On several occasions the story could have been better edited, however. The repetition of information and sentences in subsequent chapters breaks the natural flow of the book and pulls you out of the moment.

That said this is still a wonderful book that I highly recommend if you are interested in the Vietnam war.

Great story read well but poorly edited

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Informative and never too patriotic or over the top. Recommended! 8h maybe a bit short but I knew that going in. Good book on flying Bell helos in Vietnam.

Good but maybe a bit short

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

A great insight into slicks and gunship chopper pilots lives during there war service.
Thank you for your service mat you all blessed and live out your lives in peace and happiness 👍👍

Fantastic

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Excellent perspective for a pilots viewpoint
felt like you were there
thank you for your service

Excellent

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Mark Garrison sends you back to Vietnam in this incredible true story account. He tells of the horrors they went through.

A Real life account of Vietnam

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

makes you think about the people who have fort for their countries and what they went though

great audio book,

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Nothing short of an amazing journey through the eyes of a pilot and well respected man.

Swept away as if I were there

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

A well written book that's engaging and easy to follow. Narration doesn't suit the book.

Great book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Simply put this is an excellent telling of a horrendous life experience in the Vietnam war. You can’t pilot a gunship in a two firing range every day for 12 months and not come out altered. It’s a great telling of one mans experiences. The narrator is perfect.

Excellent recount of a difficult experience

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Worth every second of listening. The ending line brought a tear to my eye. I’m glad i got to hear about marks experiences

Amazing book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.