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Catalog number: VIS 201.0793
In this interview, retired Major General Larry Taylor recalls his experiences serving in the United States Marine Corps and as a civilian helicopter pilot for Air America in the Vietnam War. He describes his upbringing, education, and reasons for joining the Marine Corps in 1959. He served with a Marine expeditionary unit on five cruises before becoming disenchanted with some Marine Corps personnel policies. When his term of active duty expired in 1966, he applied to Air America and began flying for them. He explains what Air America was, how it developed, and describes the three main types of missions they flew. He reflects on the leadership in the unit, how good the maintenance was on their aircraft, and what living conditions were like. He recalls several incidents, including experiencing heavy fire that peppered his helicopter full of holes; visiting a friend in Vietnam in January of 1968 and becoming trapped there when the Tet Offensive broke out; and flying ammunition to Hmong leader Vang Pao. He reflects on the Hmong people and the Lao armed forces. He left Air America in 1968 and returned to the Marine Corps and describes his work in several squadrons. After his retirement from active duty, he remained in the Corps reserves and was called back to active duty following the September 11 terrorist attacks. He reflects on the Vietnam War and the myths that are frequently associated with it and describes returning to Vietnam in 2006.