BOB FORD

From July 1967 to July 1968, Bob Ford flew over one thousand missions in Vietnam. After the first six weeks, he became an aircraft commander and took over the command of a helicopter detachment at Hue, forty miles from the DMZ---the farthest northern helicopter unit in Vietnam. His tour included the beginning of the siege of Khe Sahn and the Tet Offensive in February 1968 when he and his men manned the perimeter for a three-day and three-night ground attack.

Ford made his commitment to flying helicopters when he was still in college at the University of Oklahoma. He completed ROTC training and received a commission in the US Army in 1966. He volunteered for army helicopter flight school and within one year was flying combat in Vietnam. When he completed his tour in Vietnam, he became an instructor pilot at Fort Wolters, Texas. Following his discharge in 1969, he moved to Okeene, Oklahoma, to head the Okeene division of the family flour milling business, which he still actively manages.

ASK THE AUTHOR

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE BLACK CAT 2-1? I wanted to preserve the memory of those with whom I served in Vietnam. I also wanted my kids and grandkids to know why we did what we did.

WHAT DOES THE BLACK CAT LOGO REPRESENT, AND WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CAT HAVING ONLY THREE LEGS? It was picked as a nickname for our company in 1965 before the 282nd left for Vietnam. The three legs were merely for simplicity of design.

WHERE DID THE NAME FOR THE HUEY HELICOPTER DERIVE? The proper name is UH-1—Utility Helicopter-1st design or type. Army personnel used the letter “I” instead of 1 then changed the order of UH to HU “I.” The pronunciation evolved into Huey.

FROM JULY 1967 TO JULY 1968, YOU FLEW 1,000-PLUS MISSIONS IN VIETNAM; NOTING THAT 2,197 HELICOPTER PILOTS AND 2,717 CREW MEMBERS WERE KILLED, WHAT KEPT YOU FOCUSED, AND DID YOU EVER THINK YOU MIGHT NOT MAKE IT HOME? Any call over the radio from ground troops or a call from a forward air controller wanting us was clear motivation. This happened every hour. Flying in combat kept all of us focused. Every day I thought I might not make it home, but I was only concerned that my body would get back. I completely trusted my crew.

EACH CHAPTER BEGINS WITH A LETTER HOME BASED ON THE REAL LETTERS YOU WROTE TO YOUR WIFE, DIANE; WERE THESE LETTERS A DRIVING FORCE THAT PROPELLED YOU TO SURVIVE? Not a driving force, but they did serve as a mental break from the war; by writing home and visualizing what was going on there and the closeness of my wife and family, I persevered. I remember hoping to resume that life again.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT A ROUTINE DAY WAS LIKE WHILE SERVING IN VIETNAM? From preflight inspection of the Huey to post-flight inspection, there was no set routine. There is constant change in war, so I helped wherever needed.

HOW MANY OF THE MEN IN YOUR DETACHMENT SURVIVED, AND DO YOU REMAIN IN TOUCH TODAY? Of the nine pilots, including myself, two were killed in action (KIA) and four were wounded in action (WIA). I am still in contact with three pilots and three crew members. We have a reunion every two years.

UNLIKE MANY VIETNAM VETS PORTRAYED IN POPULAR CULTURE, YOU STAND FIRM THAT YOUR TEAM REMAINED CLEAN OF DRUGS; HOW WAS YOUR GROUP ABLE TO PULL THAT OFF? Our detachment knew drugs were present but they were rarely discussed and never considered. We knew those on the ground depended on us, and flying impaired was not an option. We had a saying, “Twenty-four hours between the bottle and the throttle.” We only had an occasional beer. There was always daily humor among our detachment.

QUITE OFTEN IN THE BOOK, YOU USE THE PHRASE ‘READY TO CRANK IT UP;’ WAS THAT A TERM USED AS A PRE-MISSION PUMP-UP? Yes it was. We also would holler before starting the Huey’s turbine engine, “Let’s kick the tire and light the fire.” Even though we had skids and no tires, we figured that’s what the guys that flew high performance jets said, and it sounded neat.

HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR STORY WILL IMPACT DIFFERENT READERS, INCLUDING VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO KNOW LITTLE ABOUT THE WAR? A combat friend told me, “You guys are one good thing that came out of this war; you did good every hour of every day.” Also a twenty-seven-year-old school teacher said after reading the manuscript, “I never heard or read a positive story about the Vietnam War or what you pilots did.” The story deserves to be told to honor all veterans and their families.

RECENTLY, A 12-YEAR OLD BOY FROM YOUR HOMETOWN REACHED OUT TO YOU AFTER READING BLACK CAT 2-1; HE WAS MESMERIZED BY THE BOOK, UNDERSCORING HOW YOUR STORY CAN ENGAGE A YOUNGER AUDIENCE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE WAR. HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL? I felt I was taking a chance when I asked the twelve-year-old’s mom if he could read the manuscript. A month later he wrote me a note, which is included in the book. When I asked him in person his thoughts, he said he read and reread every word. It made me proud he understood and enjoyed the entire book. It makes me feel I have done something right.

AS A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA, YOU WERE AN ROTC MEMBER AND MADE A COMMITMENT TO FLYING HELICOPTERS; HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN INTRIGUED BY FLIGHT, AND WHO OR WHAT INSTILLED IN YOU THE DRIVE TO SERVE YOUR COUNTRY? I was not always interested in flying helicopters until my ROTC instructor stated the best way to serve my country in Vietnam was to be a helicopter pilot.

YOU CARRY WITH YOU A CUSTOMIZED ‘BLACK CAT’ COIN; WHAT IS ITS SIGNIFICANCE? It is a challenge coin whose history goes back to the Revolutionary War and identifies the unit, date, and time one served in combat. It’s a way to show pride in your unit.

BLACK CAT 2-1 IS A TREMENDOUS TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO FOUGHT IN VIETNAM; WHAT’S THE PRIMARY TAKEAWAY MESSAGE OF YOUR BOOK? I want people to realize war is sometimes necessary and we Americans enjoy the freedoms we cherish because of those who stepped up and fought with honor and sacrifice. There was something good that came out of this war, and I feel lucky to have been a part of it. If I can write a book about my experiences, anybody can and should—you, your family, and friends will be proud.

A LOOK BACK

TO SEE MORE IMAGES, EXPLORE THE GALLERIES ON THE BOOK AND NEWS + EVENTS PAGES.

Bob Ford wearing his captain’s bars and the jungle fatigues given to him by the First Cavalry captain; this photo was taken one week before coming home.
The author celebrates his wings with Diane Ford in June 1967.
The author holds a picture of the members of the 282nd Assault Helicopter Black Cats in Nov. 1967: Bob Ford, Dwight Dedtrick (KIA), Mark Skulborstad (WIA), Tom Pullen (WIA), John Aye (WIA), Al Toews, Jerry McKinsey (KIA), and Dick Messer. Taken in 2018 by Hayley Leatherwood for the cover of Oklahoma Living Magazine, this portrait most recently served as the cover art for Ford’s 80th birthday festivities in 2024!
Bob Ford with one of his heroes, World War II Veteran Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Shown here at a 2010 event honoring Medal of Honor recipients, Ford hoped into the cockpit shortly after this snapshot to fly a Huey H Model helicopter over the parade with Bobby Hawk.
The author presents a Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for Valor to Dr. Richard Brittingham, who was awarded the honor in 2019 in recognition for his service in Vietnam.