Pathfinder: First In, Last Out: A Memoir of Vietnam
Richard R. Burns
Nov 2008 · Ballantine Books
4.5star
42 reviewsreport
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416
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About this ebook
December 1967: Richard Burns had just arrived in Vietnam as part of the fourteen-man 101st Pathfinder Detachment. Within just one month, during a holiday called Tet, the Communists would launch the largest single attack of the war--and he would be right in the thick of it. . . .
In Vietnam, Richard Burns operated in live-or-die situations, risking his life so that other men could keep theirs. As a Pathfinder--all too often alone in the middle of a hot LZ--he guided in helicopters disembarking troops, directed medevacs to retrieve the wounded, and organized extractions. As well as parachuting into areas and supervising the clearing of landing zones, Pathfinders acted as air-traffic controllers, keeping call signs, frequencies, and aircraft locations in their heads as they orchestrated takeoffs and landings, often under heavy enemy fire.
From Bien Hoa to Song Be to the deadly A Shau Valley, Burns recounts the battles that won him the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and numerous other decorations. This is the first and only book by a Pathfinder in Vietnam . . . or anywhere else.
In Vietnam, Richard Burns operated in live-or-die situations, risking his life so that other men could keep theirs. As a Pathfinder--all too often alone in the middle of a hot LZ--he guided in helicopters disembarking troops, directed medevacs to retrieve the wounded, and organized extractions. As well as parachuting into areas and supervising the clearing of landing zones, Pathfinders acted as air-traffic controllers, keeping call signs, frequencies, and aircraft locations in their heads as they orchestrated takeoffs and landings, often under heavy enemy fire.
From Bien Hoa to Song Be to the deadly A Shau Valley, Burns recounts the battles that won him the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and numerous other decorations. This is the first and only book by a Pathfinder in Vietnam . . . or anywhere else.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
42 reviews
JR Curley
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July 21, 2016
Fantastic, gripping book that is a quick and engaging read. The elite Pathfinder team went in first in enemy territory, and truly were last to leave. Excellent book. There is a battle near the end of the book where the author recounts watching a LRRP team under seige from miles away. To see that battle from the eyes of one of the LRRP members actually in that battle, read Eyes of the Eagle by Gary Linderer. Incredible.
1 person found this review helpful
Paul Robbins
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October 20, 2015
Man those pathfinders had guts to spare, I have made a lot of jumps personally but had no idea that the Pathfinders were guiding the C-130's, Choppers Etc that were being jumped from by me and my unit(s) The pathfinders deserved a lot of credit for both their skills and courage in the face of almost constant pressure from the VC. This is an exciting book that is impossible to put down and it deserves a much higher than a 5 rating !!
1 person found this review helpful
Bruce Melvin
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October 16, 2015
Moving, emotional, hard hitting. Hard to put down
About the author
Richard C. Burns retired from the army as a master sergeant, E-8. He completed two combat tours in Vietnam, serving as a Pathfinder with the 101st Airborne Division and the 1st Air Cavalry Division. He conducted Pathfinder operations for infantry and recon units, supported an element of Special Forces, and was attached to the 1st Vietnamese Airborne Division. After a stint as a recruiter in his native New England, he spent the bulk of his twenty-year military career in Special Forces. His training includes Pathfinder Course, Jumpmaster Course, Vietnam (MACV) Recondo School, and Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC): Light and Heavy Weapons. He has received numerous decorations, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, two Air Medals, and the Purple Heart.
Richard Burns has two children and lives with his wife in Gainesville, Florida. He has written many articles on elite military units and is a columnist and staff writer for Behind the Lines magazine.
Richard Burns has two children and lives with his wife in Gainesville, Florida. He has written many articles on elite military units and is a columnist and staff writer for Behind the Lines magazine.
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