Description
Book Synopsis: The story of a twenty-four-year-old US Army pilot who volunteered to fly covert S.O.G., or Studies and Observations Group, reconnaissance missions over the Ho Chi Minh Trail.Only the Light Moves tells the story of a twenty-four-year-old US Army pilot who volunteered to fly covert S.O.G., or Studies and Observations Group, reconnaissance missions over the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a region that came to represent not only the United States’ war with Vietnam, but also the “secret war” with Laos and Cambodia.
But this is not simply a war story; it is a love story about flying. Captain Francis A. Doherty spent every day for ten months above the jungle battlefield in a Cessna O-1 Bird Dog. The first all-metal fixed-wing aircraft ordered for and by the United States Army following the Army Air Forces' separation from it in 1947, the single-engine Bird Dog was a liaison and observation aircraft. And for this role, it was completely unarmed.
It was from the cockpit of a Bird Dog that Captain Doherty observed this illusive war, perhaps searching out enemy troop movements or calling down waiting F-4 Phantoms to strike a new target. It was a war in which he followed his father’s footsteps in his dream to become a pilot, and where he learned a compassion that extended both to his comrades and the civilians caught in the middle of that terrible war.
In Only the Light Moves Captain Doherty not only reveals the highs and lows of his year at war in Vietnam but expands beyond his time in the conflict. He explores the emotional struggle he and his comrades faced after they returned home, reconciliations with lost faith, and the incredible impact of war on families.
We are also given an insight into Francis’ subsequent journey to becoming a commercial airline pilot. His story makes no effort to glorify the violence that took the lives of so many. There are no broad stroke proclamations about the war, only a very personal, sensitive account of a terrible conflict seen through the eyes of a then young pilot in the air, illuminating the reality and the cost of when one’s country decides to go to war.
Details
Experience the thrilling and gripping tale of a twenty-four-year-old US Army pilot who fearlessly embarked on covert reconnaissance missions over the treacherous Ho Chi Minh Trail. In "Only The Light Moves: Flying Covert Reconnaissance Missions in the Vietnam War," Captain Francis A. Doherty takes you on an extraordinary journey through the heart of a conflict that shaped a generation. Discover the untold story of a "secret war" with Laos and Cambodia, as Doherty's courageous exploits in a Cessna O-1 Bird Dog unfold before your eyes.
Unlike typical war stories, "Only The Light Moves" is a tapestry of love and aviation. Captivatingly written, it provides a unique perspective into the daily life of a pilot who spent countless hours soaring above the jungle battlefield. From the cockpit of a Bird Dog, Doherty observed the horrors of war, seeking out enemy troop movements and coordinating airstrikes. This bird's-eye view gives readers a rare insight into the true nature of combat, as well as the intricate emotions and moral dilemmas it presents.
But the story doesn't end with his return from Vietnam. "Only The Light Moves" delves into the post-war struggles faced by Captain Doherty and his comrades. Explore the emotional toll of war on the human psyche, as these heroes navigate their way back to civilian life. The powerful narrative offers a poignant examination of faith lost and regained, as well as the profound impact of war on families and relationships.
Beyond the insights into war and its aftermath, this book chronicles Doherty's subsequent journey to becoming a commercial airline pilot. This transformative experience elevates the story beyond the realm of a traditional war memoir. Doherty's honest and sensitive account leaves no room for glorification of violence, instead humanizing the conflict through personal experiences that resonate with readers.
Embark on a breathtaking literary adventure that captures the reality and cost of war. Let "Only The Light Moves" transport you to the skies above Vietnam and beyond, where bravery, love, and resilience intertwine. Rediscover the history that shaped a nation and be moved by the indomitable spirit of those who served. Order your copy today and be riveted by this incredible tale.
Click here to get your copy of "Only The Light Moves: Flying Covert Reconnaissance Missions in the Vietnam War."
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