In this riveting episode of So There I Was, we sit down with John “Apache 2-3” Haugen, a Vietnam-era Army aviator with stories that span from the draft line in 1968 to combat flying in the Mekong Delta. John shares how he dodged a ground-pounder fate by heading to Officer Candidate School, ultimately flying slicks and accumulating over 900 hours of combat flight time. With humor, humility, and gripping detail, he recounts narrow escapes, night missions, forced landings, and his close call in a mangrove swamp that led to a surreal “third man” experience. From learning in OH-23s and flying Hueys to coordinating strikes with Cobras and Puff the Magic Dragon, John’s stories highlight the courage, camaraderie, and absurdities of combat aviation in Vietnam. Bonus tales include bar tabs in Manhattan, unexpected rat-kebabs, and the elusive “Hawk’s” little black book. This is an episode packed with history, grit, and a whole lot of heart!
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