Armed Forces: Fallen Stars

The day was dark and windy. Scuttling northwest from the ancient Buddhist capital of Hue, the two helicopters were above effective small-arms range as they followed the stretch of Vietnamese coast known as "The Street Without Joy." All at once the lead chopper erupted in a burst of fire and smoke, then crashed on its back in a flooded paddyfield, carrying five men to death. Whether the Dong Ha bound Huey was destroyed by Communist gunfire, sabotage or a freak accident may never be known, though Hanoi was quick to crow that its gunners had downed the bird. What...

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