The War Above the Trees

March, 1969. Another season would soon change in America. Winter was ending and the warm breezes of spring were melting the snow. The earth would renew itself as it has done for thousands of years. The generation of Americans which had been born since the Second World War was becoming young adults. Termed the ''Now'' generation by themselves, many made plans for the up coming year. Fueled by ''Rock N Roll'', ''Free Love'', and the "'Anti-War Movement'' these plans would bring change to a troubled country. The ''Summer of Love'' would be the answer of this which many needed. Half a world away, another season was about to change and other members of the is generation made other plans. The Dry season in the Central Highlands of Vietnam would soon end. It would be replace by the Monsoon season which would come out of the west. For this reason, young American soldiers would again enter th Valley of Death which was called the Plei-Trap. The War Above the Trees is the story of the air crews flying support to the men of the 4th Infantry Division during Operation Wayne Grey in March and April of 1969. This is a day by day account of what happened as seen through the eyes of a young crew chief. It includes After Action Reports and eyewitness statements of both air crew members and infantry personnel which were on the ground. This is not a story about the war, but rather the story of the young soldiers who fought there. It tells of the brotherhood formed by the small things which was part of our lives. A meal shared with friends. The time spent together which would bring relief from the madness of the war. It is not the story of heroes but of young men doing their jobs in a war they did not understand. This is a factual account of an operation few people have heard about. It was not written to judge the actions of the people responsible for its planning. Its main goal is help the people who were there still looking for answers thrity years later. It is also a tribute to our borthers who died and the hope that their families can find some closure to their loss.

About the Author :
Ron Carey was born on April 29, 1949 in Chicago, IL. Raised in the small town of Plainfield, IL. he is the oldest of six children. In April of 1967 he decided to enlist in the Army under the ''Delayed Entry Program'' prior to graduation from high school. He reported for active duty six days after graduation on June 12, 1967. He arrived in Southeast Asia in January of 1968. In March he was assigned to the 1st Flight platoon of the 119th Assault Helicopter Company in Pleiku. For the next ten months his missions included support for the 4th Infantry Division in the Dak To, Kontum areas near the Tri-borders of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. During August and September his company was assigned to MACV-SOG missions out of FOB II near Kontum. At the end of his first year in Vietnam, he extended for another tour. After his leave in January 1969, he returned to his company in February. He flew with the 1st Flight platoon until the end of April. During Operation Wayne Grey he logged almost 400 flight hours over the Plei-Trap Valley. In May he was assigned to the 3rd Flight platoon. He continued to fly as a crew chief on a UH-1C (''Charlie'' model gunship) until September. During his entire tour of duty he logged over 2200 flight hours. He returned to the United States and was stationed at Fort Eustis, Va. as an instructor, and was discharged in June 1970. In December of 1969 he married his high school girlfriend. They have been married for thirty-five years and have three children and five grandchildren. He worked for the telephone company for thirty-two years before retiring in 2002. Ron and his family still live in Plainfield, IL.