One Full Trip Around the Sun - by Glenn Herpst Fraes (Paperback)

About the Book

"One Full Trip around the Sun" is a dramatic and suspenseful story of a young man's journey flying helicopters during the Vietnam War, from May 1968 through May 1969. Both historical and deeply personal, this book shares the intensity, horror, sadness, and even joy from the events that took place during the time it takes the Earth to make one full trip around the Sun.

Book Synopsis

"One Full Trip around the Sun" is a dramatic and suspenseful story of a young man's journey flying helicopters during the Vietnam War, from May 1968 through May 1969. Both historical and deeply personal, this book shares the intensity, horror, sadness, and even joy from the events that took place during the time it takes the Earth to make one full trip around the Sun.

Vietnam veteran Glenn W. Herpst shares his experiences as a young Army Warrant Officer helicopter pilot as he makes his way to the Vietnam War. Through vivid and rich storytelling, he chronicles his adventures from the departure from his hometown to his arrival in Vietnam.

Readers will develop an understanding of what it was like to live and fly with the men and soldiers of the 116th Assault Helicopter Company "Hornets". Throughout the story, you will meet other members of the unit and come to understand their trials and tribulations as young flyers in an ongoing war. You will be with these men through their long days and nights from May 1968 through May 1969. They will live, grow, hurt, and die. And those who make it to the end of their tour, will return to a much different world from the one they left.

About the Author

Glenn W. Herpst was born in New Jersey and grew up in Maryland. After a short stint in college, he reported for service in the U.S. Army in February 1967. Upon graduation from flight school, the class of 67-25/68-501 were presented with their Army aviator wings and donned the gold and brown bars of a Warrant Officer. Shortly thereafter, the story of "One Full Trip Around the Sun" begins.

Glenn's career in aviation has spanned over 55 years. After completing his college studies, he began working as a commercial helicopter pilot in the United Kingdom. From there, his travels took him throughout the Middle East, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, India, Europe, Canada, and the United States. He continued his flying career in both airplanes and helicopters. He is retired from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS). He is a Life Member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, a member of the Combat Helicopter Pilots Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and ye Anciente and Secret Order of Quiet Birdmen.

Glenn and his wife Christine are both retired and now live in Florida where he pursues his interests in aviation and writing.