Jocko Podcast 259: When the Call Comes, You Go. w/ South Vietnamese Kingbee Pilot, Capt Nguyen Quy An
Dec 9, 2020
Captain Nguyen Quy An, a heroic South Vietnamese Air Force pilot and recipient of the Silver Star, shares gripping tales from the Vietnam War alongside John Stryker Meyer, a seasoned Special Forces member. They discuss the high-stakes bravery involved in rescue missions, contrasting the King Bee and Huey helicopters, and recount their intense personal experiences under fire. Capt An also reveals his harrowing journey from military injuries to life as a refugee, emphasizing resilience and the indomitable spirit of those who serve in war.
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Exciting Missions
- Captain An found flying special operations missions more exciting than normal squadron missions.
- He flew up to three missions a day, each lasting around two hours.
First Shot Down
- Captain An's first time being shot down was while inserting troops south of Marble Mountain.
- His engine quit after taking fire, forcing a crash landing in a rice paddy.
Night Rescue
- After two King Bees were shot down, Captain An flew a resupply and casualty evacuation mission at night.
- After inserting troops, his helicopter was hit by an RPG, forcing him to crash land on a hillside.