

Surprised at Being Alive
An Accidental Helicopter Pilot in Vietnam and Beyond
Author: Robert F. Curtis
Narrator: David Colacci
Unabridged: 12 hr 29 min
Format: Digital Audiobook Download
Publisher: Tantor Media
Published: 07/30/2019
Categories: Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography, Military Nonfiction, History, Wars, Vietnam War
Synopsis
Which is why, after twenty-four years and over 5,000 flight hours with four armed services, Major Robert Curtis was so surprised at being alive when he passed his retirement physical. Starting with enlisting in the Army to fly helicopters during Vietnam, and continuing on through service with the National Guard, Marine Corps, and Royal Navy, he flew eight different helicopters—from the wooden-bladed OH-13E, through the Chinook, SeaKnight, and SeaKing, in war and peace around the world. During that time over fifty of his friends died in crashes, both in combat and in accidents, but somehow his skill, and not an inconsiderable amount of luck and superstition, saw him through.