|
Bury Us Upside Down by Rick Newman & Don Shepperd Soft Cover
Bury Us Upside Down by Rick Newman & Don Shepperd
The Misty Pilots and the secret battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail
Soft Cover
480 pages
Copyright 2007
CONTENTS
Foreword BY SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN v
Map of Southeast AsiaMajor Cities and Air Bases ix
Map of South VietnamMajor Military Regions x
Map of Route Packages xi
Map of the Ho Chi Minh Trail xii
Map of Route Pack 1 xiii
Introduction xvii
1. "Missing Man" 3
2. Bury Us Upside Down 13
3. "I Don't Think He Has a Chance " 28
4. The Pack 44
5. Airborne Detectives 57
6. Success or Stalemate? 69
7. Feet Wet80
8. AWOL 01 Bravo 96
9. "Som com pees butt" 116
10. Orientation 136
11. "Kill for Peace" 146
12. I Have a Mistress 163
13. McNamara's Fence174
14. The Lone Ranger 188
15. Torched 202
16. "Tanks in Our Wire!" 210
17. Risinger's Raid 228
18. A Hole in the Jungle 250
19. The Start of the Wait 265
20. The Wise Men 275
21. Fly the Doc288
22. Prison Life 302
23. "Bodies Babies Mothers Fathers" 318
24. Night Misty 333
25. "Your War Is Over" 352
26. Cut Off 371
27. "If Only I Knew" 383
28. The List 393
29. Final Disposition 401
30. A New Currency 415
31. A Fishy Story 431
32. Lucky 441
Epilogue 445
Acknowledgments 455
Notes 459
Bibliography 465
Index 467
FOREWORD
Wars are painful experiences, not only for the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines-who take part, but also for their families and the countries that send them. It has become all too common to focus exclusively on combat and the stories of those who fight, so it is often easy to forget war's tragic effectson the families of those involved and on the innocentsthe citizens on both sides who also bear the burden. The Vietnam War, America's longest and arguably most painful war, was a tragedy for two countries, theirs and ours.
Bury Us Upside Down is a unique book because it covers the full gamut of warfarenot only the stories of those at war, but of their families, their countries, their governments, and their politicians. In short, it is a well-researched book about warriors and the effects war has on a country. I have seen these effects of war on my family, on my nation, and ultimately on myself. Several of the men in this book were my companions in prison. Through their eyes you also will experience these effects.
Though I entered the theater earlier, my Vietnam story truly begins on October 26, 1967. In a few moments my life and future were inexorably altered as my aircraft was hit by a Soviet-made surface-to-air missile. While ejecting from the stricken aircraft, I broke both arms and a leg, and soon found myself surviving for over five years in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" prison in downtown Hanoi.
It was during my years as a prisoner of war that I first encountered the "Misty" warriors featured in the following pages. Solitary confinement, denial of medical attention, and torture became the standard treatment for American POWs. As I endured this new way of life, I met Maj. Bob Craner. While I was in solitary confinement, Bob occupied the cell next to mine. We became acquainted through the tap code described later in the book. This clandestine means of communication, performed by tapping on the walls of our cells, enabled us to become acquainted. Although I could not hear his voice or see his face, he gave me encouragement in times of despair, and strength in times of weakness. I only hope I was able to provide him with some comfort through those hellish days.
During my confinement I learned of Maj. Bud Day, the first "Misty" commander, who was subsequently awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions while a POW. His story of survival, escape, recapture, and torture during a two-week escape attempt is without compare in excitement and intrigue. I also encountered Guy Gruters, shot down twice, the second time with Bob Craner. Guy's story of desperately attempting to save the life of fellow warrior Lance Sijana Medal of Honor recipient and the namesake of Sijan Hall at the Air Force Academyis heartbreaking. You will also read of P. K. Robinson. Although we met just before our return on the Freedom Flights, our short time together and shared experiences as fellow POWs will forever cause me to consider him a close brother and companion.
This wonderful book will introduce you to these and other "Misty" warriors-157 of them flying two-seat USAF F-100 fighters as "fast PACs," forward air controllers, seeking out targets for bomb-dropping fighters over North Vietnam. It was an impossibly dangerous mission for which they paid the ultimate price. This book goes beyond the normal war story. It proves to be engaging and accessible to fighter pilot and civilian alike. You will be able to understand their story and the story of so many others who never returned home.
An extraordinary book that adds a critical volume to the literature about the Vietnam experience, Bury Us Upside Down serves to remind us of why war is such a serious endeavor. We would do well as a nation to heed the lessons and messages it contains. I would like to personally thank Don and Rick for their efforts in bringing this story to light and celebrating all the heroes from America's longest war.
All pictures are of the actual item. There may be reflection from the lights in some photos. We try to take photos of any damage. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
Shipping charges
US Shipments: When you add multiple items to your cart, the reduced shipping charges will automatically be calculated. For direct postage rates to other countries, send me an email. Shipping varies by weight.
Terms and conditions
All sales are final. Returns accepted if item is not as described. Contact us before making a return. No warranty is stated or implied. Please e-mail us with any questions before bidding or buying.
Thanks for looking at our items.
| 
