Lest We Forget: The Kingsmen, 101st Aviation Battalion, 1968

I Corps, in 1968 and especially Northern I Corps, was an area that could be called "Ground Zero"in the Vietnam War. The presence of large concentrations of Liberation troops and NVA in the Laos/Vietnam border area was huge. They were well trained, well equipped and possessed mobile anti-aircraft weapons which were devastating for helicopters of the Kingsmen and the 101st Aviation Battalion. "Lest We Forget" is a great story of "cheating the odds" while flying exclusively for the grunts and LRP's for the 101st Division. However, let us start at the beginning....the bloody beginning.Bill Meacham, alias "Wild Bill" Meacham, began his year long tour in Vietnam assigned to the 17th Assault Helicopter Company at Long Binh. Even before he sat in a cockpit for his in-country orientation, he was tapped to be the investigating officer for a gunship incident deep within the jungles of III Corps. The distasteful job led Bill to realize that Vietnam was truly a dangerous place and he was knee deep in "reality." The very first month with the 17th, Tet of 68 erupted everywhere across Vietnam. Bill came face to face with NVA, in the wire, all-around the 17th compound for a bit of nighttime excitement. Never one to sit idly by and let himself be killed, Bill took the aggressor group under fire, killing almost a squad as they raced across the 17th's compound. The onslaught was finally halted and the story of Tet 68 became one of slaughter for the enemy. However, the US media never really saw it that way. Bill Meacham couldn't believe he was knee keep in ground combat. He was supposed to be a helicopter pilot! The nick name "Wild Bill" was not yet coined for William Meacham as the 17th Assault Helicopter Company was uprooted and shipped to I Corps. There they would join and be re-designated, Bravo Company of the 101st Airmobile Division's 101st Aviation Battalion. Still proudly know as the "Kingsmen", the unit faced new challenges and threats within the mountains and weather of North I Corps. And, for the next year Bill and his buddy W.T.Grant would slowly but surely be consumed by the "meat grinder" as they experienced days and days of the same old thing....bad weather, NVA and long, long hours of flying. It didn't take "Wild Bill" Meacham long to realize that he was best suited to working closely with the LRP teams of the 101st Div. He and W.T. Grant made many good friends and comrades with the LRP's as they concentrated completely on the tricky and specialized work of the LRP units. Their flying skills were quickly recognized by the LRP's as "just what the doctor ordered" and they were assigned almost exclusively to fly for the them. Together Bill, W. T. and the LRP leaders formulated many techniques which proved to be most effective in getting the job done, yet keeping everyone as safe as possible, under hazardous conditions. Higher HQ's basically left them alone to performed their missions almost in their own world. That is not to say th

I have read several books describing the heroism of the 101st lift and infantry units in I Corp and felt the contributions of these guys was beyond measure. I work with Behavior Disordered high school students and experimented with one chapter of "Wild Bill's" book in class. The impact of his message and graphic style genuinely moved these kids and led to a two day discussion on: devotion/committment, loyalty, sacrifice, trust/risk, communication, training, fear/bravery and HONOR/INTEGRITY. "My boys" think W.T., Wild Bill, Walkabout, Turk and all the others are GODS. Thank Mr. Meachum for sharing so openly and writing so damn well!

Bill Meacham was in 1968 and is now one of those crazy individuals with a sense on duty & honor that only those who know him can see in his actions. As a young pilot I had the privilege of flying with him and learning from the experience. What I learned from 'Wild Bill' and others members of that fraternity kept me alive through two tours flying in South East Asia. For those who would like to know more than ever went into this book... spend the time it takes over a cup of coffee or perhaps a cool adult beverage with Bill and PLEASE HOLD ON TO YOUR CHAIR.

I have just finished reading this wonderful book. Having been a RANGER in the Nam , and having worked with some of these brave helo-pilot of " DELTA TRIPLE NICKLE' in the Delta area, I think Wild Bill did a very good job of informing whom ever reads this book of just how it was.Two- Five I salute you, and thank you being the type of human being that you are. Road Runner Six Out

The book is well written and an accurate portrayal of the helicopter war. It is a good read and should be of interest to veterans, military and history buffs, researchers as well as anyone else interested in the Vietnam War. I was a helicopter crewchief and flew with Bill Meacham in Vietnam.