About the Book
...a comprehensively researched historic document on one year's activities for the 9th Cav and the 1st Cavalry Division, worthy of gracing their unit libraries. That the book simultaneously succeeds on the individual soldier level makes it a standout for any reader with an interest in the airmobile aspect of the Vietnam War. - Vietnam magazine. The Gunner and the Grunt is written in the voices of two soldiers who fought in the same battles as members of the same recon unit but from different angles. Michael Kelley, the Gunner, was flying in an armed helicopter above the jungle providing suppressive fire support, while Peter Burbank, the Grunt, was down in the jungle on foot patrol involved in fire fights with Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army troops. The book follows these two Boston boys from army training through deployment to the war zone and the shock of first combat missions, to helicopter air assault Search and Destroy operations from the Cambodian border to the sands of the South China Sea. AUTHORS: Michael L. Kelley is a freelance writer from Tewksbury, Massachusetts. He was born and raised in the Cambridge and Somerville area of Boston. He served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1967, met his wife Ruth in late 1967, helped her raise three children while he participated in dual careers with the Federal Government and the United States Army Reserve. Kelley retired as a Master Sergeant from the 3rd Battalion, 18th Infantry in 1990 and from the Defense Logistics Agency, DPRO Raytheon Missile Division, in 1994. Peter Burbank grew up in Hull, Massachusetts, a city south of Boston, and as a young boy, ran a paper route and read about World War II history, especially small-unit actions on the battle fronts. He dreamed about being a soldier, but not just an ordinary soldier, an Airborne Infantry soldier, where he could be at the Tip of the Spear for combat action. He got to live his dream and was sent to Vietnam and served as an Infantry Rifleman at the forefront of the action. After two combat tours he joined the Portland Police Department and saw action once again as a city patrol officer. Alongside his police career, Burbank joined the US Army Reserve, retiring as a Sergeant First Class after serving for twenty years. He was married and raised his family in Maine. Burbank and Kelley remained lifelong friends after meeting in Vietnam as members of Troop C, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile). Peter Burbank grew up in Hull, Massachusetts, a city south of Boston, and as a young boy, ran a paper route and read about World War II history, especially small-unit actions on the battle fronts. He dreamed about being a soldier, but not just an ordinary soldier, an Airborne Infantry soldier, where he could be at the Tip of the Spear for combat action. He got to live his dream and was sent to Vietnam and served as an Infantry Rifleman at the forefront of the action. After two combat tours he joined the Portland Police Department and saw action once again as a city patrol officer. Alongside his police career, Burbank joined the US Army Reserve, retiring as a Sergeant First Class after serving for twenty years. He was married and raised his family in Maine.
Table of Contents:
Prologue: The Lost Gunship
Chapter One: High School Warriors
Chapter Two: Basic Combat Training, Mike
Chapter Three: Helicopter School, Mike
Chapter Four: Flying Shawnee Bananas, Mike
Chapter Five: Guns and Rabbits, Pete
Chapter Six: airborne Infantry, Pete
Chapter Seven: Going to War, Mike
Chapter Eight: Aero Rifle Blues Platoon,Pete
Chapter Nine: Aero Weapons Red Platoon, Mike
Chapter Ten: The Bong son Campaign, Mike
Chapter Eleven: The Crow's Foot Battle, Mike
Chapter Twelve: Aero Scout White Platoon, Mike
Chapter Thirteen: Charlie Alpha Combat assault, Pete
Chapter Fourteen: Hot Rod pilot, Mike
Chapter Fifteen: In Memory of our Commander
Epilogue: Mike
Epilogue: Pete
List of Major Campaigns
List of Weapons of War
1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Commanders 1965-1966
Air Cavalry units in Vietnam
Photo Credits
Selected Bibliography
About the Author :
Michael L. Kelley is a freelance writer from Tewksbury, Massachusetts. He served in the United States Army from 1964 to 1967, followed by dual careers with the Federal Government and the United States Army Reserve. Kelley retired as a Master Sergeant from the 3rd Battalion, 18th Infantry in 1990 and from the Defense Logistics Agency, DPRO Raytheon Missile Division, in 1994. Peter Burbank grew up in Hull, Massachusetts, a city south of Boston, and as a young boy, ran a paper route and read about World War II history, especially small-unit actions on the battle fronts. He dreamed about being a soldier, but not just an ordinary soldier, an “Airborne Infantry” soldier, where he could be at the “Tip of the Spear” for combat action. He got to live his dream and was sent to Vietnam and served as an Infantry Rifleman at the forefront of the action. After two combat tours he joined the Portland Police Department and saw action once again as a city patrol officer. Alongside his police career, Burbank joined the US Army Reserve, retiring as a Sergeant First Class after serving for twenty years.
Review :
"This co-written memoir follows the two authors as they enter the army, go through training, and go to war. It provides a fascinating look at two men doing very different but very intertwined jobs in a combat zone. As the Vietnam era veterans are aging, we are fortunate that many of them are recording their experiences for subsequent generations. This book earns its place among them."-- "Military Heritage Magazine"
"Enhanced for the reader's benefit with a section of photos, [this book] is a riveting read..."-- "Midwest Book Review"
"That the book simultaneously succeeds on the individual soldier level makes it a standout for any reader with an interest in the airmobile aspect of the Vietnam War."-- "Vietnam Magazine"
"The authors' accounts of their daily lives during their tours are vivid."-- "The VVA Veteran"
"The Gunner and the Grunt is easy to read and difficult to put down. As a Vietnam veteran, this reviewer found their accounts accurate in describing the challenges and dangers of combat, as well as life as a field soldier."-- "On Point: The Journal of Army History"
