Like a fifty-year-old time capsule unearthed and opened for public display, this book unlocks a treasure trove of over 250 recently recovered Vietnam War photographs from veterans. These helicopter nose art photos capture that typical and distinctive American war custom of embellishing one's assigned aircraft with personalized markings.

• Hundreds of unique color photos showing how soldiers decorated their helicopters during the Vietnam War • Includes stories and anecdotes from pilots, crews, and artists, focusing on how helicopters got their names and how the artwork was created • Will appeal to Vietnam veterans, modelers, military and U.S. history buffs, and fans of modern American folk art and pop culture

No punches are pulled in this gripping account of Vietnam combat through the eyes of a highly decorated Marine helicopter crewman and door gunner with more than three hundred missions under his belt. In 1968, U.S. Marine Ronald Winter flew some of the toughest missions of the Vietnam War, from the DMZ grasslands to the jungles near Laos and the deadly A Shau Valley, where the NVA ruled. Whether landing in the midst of hidden enemy troops or rescuing the wounded during blazing firefights, the work of helicopter crews was always dangerous. But the men in the choppers never complained; they knew they had it easy compared to their brothers on the ground. Masters of the Art is a bare-knuckles tribute to the Marines who served in Vietnam. It’s about courage, sacrifice, and unsung heroes. The men who fought alongside Winter in that jungle hell were U.S. Marines, warriors who did their job and remained true to their country, no matter the cost.

The personal naming of military aircraft in the Vietnam War is not unique in American history. What is unique is the near total lack of documentation of the existence of those names on in-country Army helicopters during the 1961-'73 conflict in S. E. Asia. This book remedies that once and for all! -Over 3,000 Army copter names cross-referenced by Unit -Details on Origin, Time Period, Location, Function, Type, Serial Number, Artist, Crew and more -More than 2,000 contributor names listed and cross-referenced -Perfect for veterans, hobbyists, historical researchers, KIA families, sociologists, aviation enthusiasts and students of Americana-just to name a few -Includes 40 rare photographs U.S. Army Helicopter Names in Vietnam provides an essential and heretofore missing puzzle piece in helping to identify and better understand our warrior brothers, fathers, uncles, sons and friends who manned these incredible flying machines in the skies of Vietnam.

Hundreds of unique color photos showing how soldiers decorated their helicopters during the Vietnam War.

Take Me Home Huey: Honoring American Heroes Through Art is the moving story of visionary artist Steve Maloney's mission to honor Vietnam veterans by resurrecting a shattered medevac helicopter that was shot down on Valentine's Day in 1969 and dramatically transforming the Huey into a traveling memorial to those who served. Take Me Home Huey documents, through stunning photographs and Maloney's narrative, how the sculpture evolved - from a wish to honor Vietnam veterans 50 years after the war's end into a touchstone for solace and connection among veterans, including some with PTSD. Drawing on in-depth conversations with survivors of the doomed Huey, others who served in the helicopter war, therapists, and historians, Maloney's work is a stirring tribute to the heroes of the war in Southeast Asia. The 216-page (9"x11") book is the cornerstone of a groundbreaking multimedia project that also includes an Emmy award-winning film and an original song. The unique narrative provides vital context for the entire project through interviews with the surviving medevac crewmen, other veterans, PTSD survivors, doctors, art therapists, and historians, including Joe Galloway, the official spokesperson of the national Vietnam War Commemoration. With the addition of personal stories from those touched by the artwork, the book adds a new dimension to the art of the war memorial and is a perfect capstone to the Take Me Home Huey project.