Robert Mason (writer)
| Robert Mason | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Bob" |
| Born | March 20, 1942 |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1964–1968 |
| Rank | Warrant Officer 1 |
| Unit | 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) 48th Aviation Co. Vietnam |
| Battles/wars |
|
Robert C. Mason (born March 20, 1942) is a Vietnam War veteran and author of several books, including his first, best-selling memoir: Chickenhawk (1983). Mason piloted Huey "Slicks" in the United States Army as a Warrant Officer 1. He sailed to Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) and served a one-year tour, nine months with the "First Cav", the last three months with the 48th Aviation Company.
After an initial month of living in a pup tent, chopping stumps to clear land for the airbase but doing very little flying, things started to pick up. Company B, 229th was involved in the Battle of Ia Drang. Mason and his fellow pilots flew many missions to resupply the infantry and pick up wounded, since at that time Cav Medevac helicopters were not allowed to fly if the landing zone (LZ) was hot. In gripping detail, Mason provides accounts of many of their missions and battles, including the Battle of Bong Son and Happy Valley in Chickenhawk. He also gives the reader an idea of the complexities of flying a helicopter and the unique demands of being a helicopter pilot in combat.
Mason transferred to the 48th Aviation Company (United States) in May 1966, although he called it the 49th in the book. He continued to fly helicopters, including assault missions for the 101st Airborne in Dak To as part of Operation Hawthorne in June 1966. Mason carried out other flying tasks and tells funny stories about life in the 48th including flying drunk and trading for block ice.
After his one-year tour of duty, Mason became an instructor pilot at Fort Wolters, Texas. Eventually he was grounded for dizzy spells and diagnosed with combat fatigue resulting from his service in Vietnam. Combat fatigue was later renamed posttraumatic stress disorder.
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