No Place to Hide: A Novel of the Vietnam War

I take issue with "A Customer" who disputes Lieutenant Commander Gerry Carroll's war credentials. If Gerry "never set foot in Vietnam", it was because he was in the air, protecting and rescuing soldiers on the ground. Here is his official military biography: "Born in Washington, D.C. on July 11, 1947, Lt Commander Carroll grew up in Norwich, Connecticut and Baltimore, Maryland. He was a decorated U.S. Navy Pilot who wrote two novels based on his experiences in Vietnam. He died at his home in Leonardtown, Maryland, on September 30, 1993 of a heart attack. He was one of the Navy's most decorated Vietnam War aviators, and served for 21 years, retiring in 1990. He flew in 198 combat missions, also serving in Grenada and in Beirut, Lebanon. He was the receipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal. His writing career did not begin until after he left the Navy and only after several years of encouragement by a former high school classmate, author Tom Clancey, to write a novel. His first book, "North SAR," was published in 1991 by Pocket Books, a division of Paramount Publishing. His latest novel, "Ghostrider One," about Navy and Marine Corps pilots in the Tet Offensive in Vietnam was published in October 1993 by Pocket Books. He is buried in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery." I knew Gerry Carroll as a child. He was my hero then, and his life as an adult only increased my beleif in his courage and generosity. His father and younger brother also lost their lives to heart failure at an early age. Knowing that he could die prematurely young made the accomplishments of his life all the more extraordinary.

Of his three books, this was perhaps the best. He obviously had researched it well and put together a most exciting story line. About the author: Gerry saw combat with HC-7 during Viet Nam flying combat support from the decks of the CVA's deployed to the Tonkin Gulf. Their mission was search and rescue (SAR). They flew the "Big Mothers" off the coast of North Viet Nam primarily in support of strike operations from the carriers. He served his country proudly, with distinction and was most certainly a Vietnam veteran.

Harrowing and authentic. These guys did the walk man. From the Mexicn Village to the air control conversations with the E2--Carroll wrote from experience.I don't think Clancy or Griffin, or for that matter, Dale Brown ever knew what it was to "cumshaw" a hand pump or adjust their "Gigline" From the A7 cat shoot to the emergency auto-ro in the huey it is all NATOPS. Refreshing to read good action adventure by a guy that knows. We are all the loosers from this multi-tallented mans early passing.

I found this novel to be surprisingly gripping and accurate. The characters moulded by Carroll were not over the top as one so often sees in this type of tale.The story trots along and keeps your interest throughout. I did find myself getting some of the characters muddled at times, but all sorted itself out in time.Whether or not readers were 'out of nappies' during the Vietnam War, I feel they will enjoy this work a great deal.

The people, places and story are great. Commander Carroll captured the attitudes of the NAVY. I have over 24 years of duty with people like this. It was very realistic