In Hot

Told through the eyes of a Marine Lieutenant who dropped out of college, this autobiography recounts the Vietnam tour of Joseph L. Hutton, Jr., in his own words. Joining the Marine Corps, and then working his way up, Hutton provides an "inside the wire" and sometimes humorous, often exciting, look at the life and daily routine of a Marine Aviation Lieutenant flying the UH-1E Helicopter. As he and his friends fought an unpopular war, these young men fought hard, played hard, suffered personal losses, and enjoyed successes together while suffering the hardship of separation from their loved ones. As members of Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 167, the only Marine Helicopter squadron ever formed in combat, and at one time the largest helicopter squadron in the Marine Corps, they faced difficult conditions and accomplished significant missions while working short-handed and under the pressure of adverse weather and significant enemy resistance. They performed the unlikely and accomplished the near impossible, developing their own tactics and procedures while receiving conflicting guidance from the ever-changing leadership, all done without recognition or reward. Illustrated throughout with images from the author's private collection, this autobiography presents the story of Hutton and the brave young men with whom he served.