Gerald Towler:  

After graduation from Melvindale H S, I joined the Army to avoid the draft. After spending 6 months as an aircraft mechanic, I was accepted to the Warrant Officer Helicopter Flight School and graduated in July of 65 just in time for Johnson's build-up in Vietnam. I left Ft Benning with the 1st Air Cavalry Division landing at Cam Ranh Bay in August. In November, I participated in the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley, the first airmobile operation that pitted helicopters against Viet Cong Regulars. If you saw the movie "We Were Solders" staring Mel Gibson, that depicted the battle. I spent nine months with the Cav in the central highlands before being transferred to the 48th Aviation Battalion based out of Phan Rhang. I flew mostly Huey lift ships all though they tried to put me in gun ships when I first arrived do to my size (only 125 pounds). I took many hits flying combat missions but that Huey brought me home most of the time. I was shot down three times and got banged up a bit but nothing serious. I consider myself quite lucky for not incurring any serious injuries while in Nam. I lost many good friends over there. I could of had a few "Kerry" Purple Hearts but I ...Expand for more