Triumphant Warrior: The Legend of the Navy’s Most Daring Helicopter Pilot

Author:   Peter Shay
Publisher:   Casemate Publishers
ISBN:  

9781612007632


Pages:   240
Publication Date:   11 July 2019
Format:   Hardback
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

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Triumphant Warrior: The Legend of the Navy’s Most Daring Helicopter Pilot


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Overview

"The story of Allen ""Wes"" Weseleskey, a daring helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War who undertook a dangerous rescue in 1968. Inherent in ""A Navy Flyer's Creed"" is the power of inspiration: ""My country built the best airplane in the world and entrusted it to me. They trained me to fly it. I will use it to the absolute limit of my power. With my fellow pilots, aircrew and deck crews, my plane and I will do anything necessary to carry out our tremendous responsibilities. When the going is fast and rough, I will not falter. I will be uncompromising in every blow I strike. I will be humble in victory. I am a United States Navy Flyer."" In Vietnam, barely a month after the start of the Tet Offensive in 1968, one such proud United States Navy flyer applied the fundamental but sometimes forgotten maxims expressed in this creed. And he dared to risk not only his naval career, but the lives of his fellow aircrewmen in rescuing a wounded U.S. Army advisor whose time had nearly run out and whose loss of blood meant that he was only moments away from certain battlefield death. The pilot, Lieutenant Commander Allen E. ""Wes"" Weseleskey, had been assigned at the Vinh Long Army Airfield. His controversial mission took place on March 9, 1968 on the outskirts of Sadec, in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. Two ARVN companies were being overwhelmed and despite coming under heavy fire, Weseleskey decided to go in and rescue as many survivors as possible. The accompanying Seawolf is forced to turn back after taking hits, but Weseleskey with the agreement of his crew persisted in the attempt, flying so low under the treeline that the VC rocket launchers were unable to reach it. On reaching base, it was observed that the overladen helicopter ""looked like it had been used as a battering ram."" Allen Weseleskey was awarded the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Navy Cross during his service. This is his story, from early assignments, clashes with superior officers, missions and rescues during the Tet Offensive, to homecoming. It is the story of a quintessential flyer, an American hero who was prepared to speak his mind and take risks. It also encapsulates the vital role of the Seawolves in the Vietnam War. AUTHOR: Peter Shay is a retired US Navy pilot. He flew UH-1B Huey gunships as a first tour pilot, assigned to the same Vietnam-based Navy Seawolf squadron as Allen Weseleskey."

Full Product Details

Author:   Peter Shay
Publisher:   Casemate Publishers
Imprint:   Casemate Publishers
ISBN:  

9781612007632


ISBN 10:   1612007635
Pages:   240
Publication Date:   11 July 2019
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print   Availability explained
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

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Reviews

Shay...specializes in putting together Vietnam War-era oral histories for the Naval Historical Center. An avid researcher, he conducted nearly fifty interviews with former squadron mates for 'Triumphant Warrior'. Shay's narrative jumps from person to person but still develops personalities. Every man is vitally alive on these pages, often with death nearby. Similarly, he jumps from event to event without missing a beat. He grabs your attention and does not let go. --The VVA Veteran It is a labor of love and the writing shows as such. His language is that of a Navy helicopter pilot and one who has the utmost respect for the individuals out in front and working behind the scenes. His attention to detail, specifically where he includes the untold stories of crew-chiefs, door gunners and enlisted maintainers is what makes this book stand out. --Naval Historical Foundation


Shay...specializes in putting together Vietnam War-era oral histories for the Naval Historical Center. An avid researcher, he conducted nearly fifty interviews with former squadron mates for Triumphant Warrior. Shay's narrative jumps from person to person but still develops personalities. Every man is vitally alive on these pages, often with death nearby. Similarly, he jumps from event to event without missing a beat. He grabs your attention and does not let go. --Henry Zeybel The VVA Veteran


The story of the battles of the Brown Water Navy fighting in the Delta region of South Vietnam are particularly significant for we may well experience that type of warfare again in the future. Peter Shay has focused his tale on a special human being, producing a gripping story that holds the reader's interest, a great way to study the past. --Vice Admiral Jerry Miller, U.S. Navy (Ret.) It is a labor of love and the writing shows as such. His language is that of a Navy helicopter pilot and one who has the utmost respect for the individuals out in front and working behind the scenes. His attention to detail, specifically where he includes the untold stories of crew-chiefs, door gunners and enlisted maintainers is what makes this book stand out. -- Naval Historical Foundation Shay...specializes in putting together Vietnam War-era oral histories for the Naval Historical Center. An avid researcher, he conducted nearly fifty interviews with former squadron mates for 'Triumphant Warrior'. Shay's narrative jumps from person to person but still develops personalities. Every man is vitally alive on these pages, often with death nearby. Similarly, he jumps from event to event without missing a beat. He grabs your attention and does not let go. -- The VVA Veteran ''[A] lot of research has gone into Triumphant Warrior and the author was one of the helicopter pilots who served with Wes in this specialised unit. What is striking is the amount of detail...''-- Flight Line


It is a labor of love and the writing shows as such. His language is that of a Navy helicopter pilot and one who has the utmost respect for the individuals out in front and working behind the scenes. His attention to detail, specifically where he includes the untold stories of crew-chiefs, door gunners and enlisted maintainers is what makes this book stand out. -- Naval Historical Foundation Shay...specializes in putting together Vietnam War-era oral histories for the Naval Historical Center. An avid researcher, he conducted nearly fifty interviews with former squadron mates for 'Triumphant Warrior'. Shay's narrative jumps from person to person but still develops personalities. Every man is vitally alive on these pages, often with death nearby. Similarly, he jumps from event to event without missing a beat. He grabs your attention and does not let go. -- The VVA Veteran The story of the battles of the Brown Water Navy fighting in the Delta region of South Vietnam are particularly significant for we may well experience that type of warfare again in the future. Peter Shay has focused his tale on a special human being, producing a gripping story that holds the reader's interest, a great way to study the past. --Vice Admiral Jerry Miller, U.S. Navy (Ret.) Naval Historical Foundation ''[A] lot of research has gone into Triumphant Warrior and the author was one of the helicopter pilots who served with Wes in this specialised unit. What is striking is the amount of detail...''--Vice Admiral Jerry Miller, U.S. Navy (Ret.) Flight Line


Shay...specializes in putting together Vietnam War-era oral histories for the Naval Historical Center. An avid researcher, he conducted nearly fifty interviews with former squadron mates for 'Triumphant Warrior'. Shay's narrative jumps from person to person but still develops personalities. Every man is vitally alive on these pages, often with death nearby. Similarly, he jumps from event to event without missing a beat. He grabs your attention and does not let go. --The VVA Veteran It is a labor of love and the writing shows as such. His language is that of a Navy helicopter pilot and one who has the utmost respect for the individuals out in front and working behind the scenes. His attention to detail, specifically where he includes the untold stories of crew-chiefs, door gunners and enlisted maintainers is what makes this book stand out. --Naval Historical Foundation


"""The story of the battles of the Brown Water Navy fighting in the Delta region of South Vietnam are particularly significant for we may well experience that type of warfare again in the future. Peter Shay has focused his tale on a special human being, producing a gripping story that holds the reader's interest, a great way to study the past.""--Vice Admiral Jerry Miller, U.S. Navy (Ret.) ""It is a labor of love and the writing shows as such. His language is that of a Navy helicopter pilot and one who has the utmost respect for the individuals out in front and working behind the scenes. His attention to detail, specifically where he includes the untold stories of crew-chiefs, door gunners and enlisted maintainers is what makes this book stand out.""-- ""Naval Historical Foundation"" ""Shay...specializes in putting together Vietnam War-era oral histories for the Naval Historical Center. An avid researcher, he conducted nearly fifty interviews with former squadron mates for 'Triumphant Warrior'. Shay's narrative jumps from person to person but still develops personalities. Every man is vitally alive on these pages, often with death nearby. Similarly, he jumps from event to event without missing a beat. He grabs your attention and does not let go.""-- ""The VVA Veteran"" ''[A] lot of research has gone into Triumphant Warrior and the author was one of the helicopter pilots who served with Wes in this specialised unit. What is striking is the amount of detail...''-- ""Flight Line"""


Author Information

Peter Shay is a retired US Navy pilot. He flew UH-1B Huey gunships as a first tour pilot, assigned to the same Vietnam-based Navy Seawolf squadron as Allen Weseleskey. Subsequently he has put his experience to good use, conducting six Vietnam-era oral histories on behalf of the Naval Historical Center, as well as having interviewed more than 50 witnesses for this biography of a former squadron mate. He has served as commander of the Naval Aviation Commandery in New York for five years, and is currently a member of Seawolf Association, Game Warden Association, American Legion, New York Council of the Navy League, and NYC Veterans Alliance.

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