The Story of ... KING
"THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE"
by
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“Having said all that, let me introduce our guest, Lt Col. Charles ‘Hop-A-Long’ Cassidy whose call sign is Covey One. Col. Cassidy is the FAC Commander from To that from the rear of the briefing room came a response that literally produced mass hysterics, “ I am…I say, I am standing up,” came a most contrite reply heavily laden with a syrupy, southern accent. At that moment everyone turned to back of the room eye-balling our guest who, at best, was about five foot five inches tall sprouting a ‘handle-bar’ moustache; wearing (modified) jungle jodhpurs with matching boots; an Aussi hat; and a pearl-handled revolver strapped to his right thigh. All kinds of whispered comments could be heard…to wit: “ Damn, a George Patton wannabe;” “Either he wears elevator boots or has blocks on his rudder pedals;” “How did he ever qualify for pilot training being so short;” “I thought General Patton died in WW2...maybe Cassidy is Patton reincarnated;” “Better check to see if he parked his 0-2 or his horse on the ramp by the C-130 revetments;” “ Damn, he shore is a short shit.” Col. Kelly extended his arms with his palms in a Jesus-like gesture to quell the verbose group and said in an almost laughing ,manner, “C’mon up to the podium and tell us all about yourself, Col. Cassidy.” Amid the casual and sometimes caustic remarks, making his way up the aisle, Col. Cassidy swaggered to the podium. My vantage point which really wasn‘t that good provided a comical if not cartoonish view of an aussie hat bobbing up and down as he continued to the front of the room. Finally, having reached the podium, I really had a full view of our much beguiled guest. Yep…a real live Patton Wannabe in jungle jeans. * * * * * *
“King, King… Sandy Two is unable to correct his engine problem and is preparing to bail out. He just popped his canopy and is climbing out of the cockpit. This is it guys…show time!”
“Copy
Sandy One immediately responded, “He’s just dived off the wing and I’m waiting to see his chute. King, King…I see his chute. He has a good chute!”
Sandy One’s jubilance was pretty obvious…even on the radio…and very catching. Our entire crew reflected the spirit of the season and this occasion. We were a bunch of happy campers. All that remained to a successful rescue/pick-up was that of the chopper and its mission requirement…a piece of cake.
Then, the second shoe dropped. “Oh, shit…oh shit…damn, double damn,” came the unmistaken, depressed voice of Sandy One.
“What is it
“King, I have a good chute…I really have a good chute ,King; but that’s it. Just a chute…a chute with no one in it. King, Sandy Two bailed out; but his chute’s empty…he isn’t in the damn chute!!!”
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About the Book
“KING” is a fascinating story of a career Air Force officer whose personal goals are motivated by greed and ambition to overcome financial distress and to achieve professional success. A personal choice designed to escape or minimize divorce economics and to secure a much sought after computer school assignment.
This (less than rational) decision takes him from the 1254th MAW, a most prestigious assignment (home of Air Force One), to the rice paddies of Vietnam. A self-engineered assignment and subsequent odyssey that began as a means to an end where personal satisfaction became a paramount factor in the overall assignment equation. If the truth be known, a decision generated by self-serving goals and fueled by tainted motivation…greed coupled with a wee bit of lunacy and a dab of patriotism.
While en route to Vietnam and the war zone that awaits him, he mentally questions the rationale of this (probable) idiotic choice. In so doing, he bares his soul to justify his decision to volunteer for a most unpopular Vietnam assignment.
Unpredictable, personal experiences during the ensuing twelve months produced an unimaginable degree of job satisfaction. This could only be characterized as the ‘top of the tree’ vice the ‘bottom of the barrel.’ The result of which effected a personal humility of purpose.
Of the more than 3000 recorded ‘Saves’ during the Vietnam War, “KING” is a mix of such personal accounts as well as the light and oft times wacky side of life played out at the expense of others.
“KING” is a compilation of events and personal experiences which reflect a different aspect of the Vietnam conflict. As such, it does not diminish the honor or sacrifices made by the living and deceased Vietnam veterans. Instead, “KING” pays homage in both a serious and humorous way to the warriors and a war long ago fought in a far away land called Vietnam.
About the Author
Robert Metz was commissioned a 2nd Lt. and received his navigator’s wings upon completion of the ‘Aviation Cadet Program’ (forerunner to the Air Force Academy) in 1955. He was initially assigned to McChord AFB in Washington state as a C-118 navigator. Multiple assignments in the Military Airlift Command (MAC) followed including Hickam AFB (C-124 aircraft); Dover AFB (C-133 aircraft) and subsequently the 1254th MAW (the home of Air Force One) at Andrews AFB.
During the Vietnam War, Col. Metz (among his numerous awards) was the recipient of the coveted Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). Having logged nearly 700 flying hours while serving in Vietnam, Col. Metz flew in excess of 80 combat missions. He retired as a Master Navigator and logged over 13,000 hours flying time during his Air Force career. His navigation credentials included Instructor Navigator, Flight Examiner Navigator and Standardization Navigator.
While stationed at Andrews AFB (1254th MAW), Bob completed his undergraduate degree (business) under the auspices of the ‘Bootstrap’ program at the University of Nebraska (at Omaha). Following his Vietnam tour of duty, he graduated from a two year MBA degree program (S. Ill. Univ.) while assigned to Charleston AFB.
Upon retirement from the United States Air Force in 1974; Bob and BJ were married in the Charleston AFB Chapel. They recently celebrated their 32nd anniversary. Utilizing his MBA degree Bob was employed as a business consultant by the Small Business Administration in Washington, D.C. Returning to the Charleston, S.C. area in 1979, he developed Management Advisory Services of Charleston, a small business consulting firm which is still in operation 27 years later.
Being totally retired, Bob and BJ moved to Hilton Head Is., S.C. in 2000 and have been active residents there ever since. To quote the author, “We enjoy walking on the beach with the waves rippling at our feet. We have competed on the courts and will continue as long as we are physically able to play the game of tennis. With five ‘grans’ and four ‘great grans,’ we still have an eleven year-old at home…Kattie, our beloved Lhasa Apso.”