Chickenhawk ( book ) Chickenhawk is Robert Mason ' s narrative of his experiences as a " Huey " UH - 1 Iroquois helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War . The book chronicles his enlistment , flight training , deployment to and experiences in Vietnam , and his experiences after returning from the war . Writing , Publishing , and Reaction . Mason was encouraged to write his Vietnam memoir by Knox Burger , the editor of an author - friend of Mason ( Bill Smith , better known as Martin Cruz Smith ) . He began writing " Chickenhawk " on May 17 , 1979 while living in Florida . The first chapter written was what became the fifth chapter in the finished book . By February 1980 , Mason had a 200 - page partial manuscript ( about one - third ) , and an outline of the rest of his memoir , finished , and Knox agreed to shop the book to publishers . While waiting to see whether Burger could sell the book , Mason began writing what would eventually be his second book , a novel , " Weapon " . In January 1981 he was arrested for attempting to smuggle a boatload of marijuana from Colombia into the United States . In early 1981 , while awaiting trial on the criminal charges , Mason learned that Viking Press had purchased " Chickenhawk " and started work on finishing the book . By Christmas of that year , the manuscript was finished . Editing was completed by June 1982 . In the meantime , in March 1982 , Mason was convicted on the smuggling charges . In August 1982 , he was sentenced to five years in a minimum security prison , but was allowed to remain free on bail pending an appeal of his conviction . In early August 1983 , " Chickenhawk " was published . Early reviews were positive , including a glowing review in the " New York Times " . He was booked for an appearance on the " The Today Show " and was interviewed several times . In the midst of this , Mason ' s appeals were exhausted and he learned that his incarceration was set to begin on August 19 , 1983 . The " Today Show " appearance took place August 15 , and sales of the book benefited from the author ' s own ongoing drama as well as his widely praised writing . Mason was released on May 17 , 1985 . While he was imprisoned , " Chickenhawk " had become a hardcover and paperback best - seller . Mason has subsequently published two novels , " Solo " and " Weapon " , as well as a second memoir , " Chickenhawk : Back in the World " . Structure and Story . " Chickenhawk " deals chronologically with Mason ' s training and his experiences in , and immediately after , Vietnam . Chapter One , " Wings " , covers the period June 1964 to 1965 and details Mason ' s training at the Army ' s Primary Helicopter School at Fort Wolters , Texas . After graduation in May 1965 , most of Mason ' s classmates were sent to Vietnam . Mason thought he had avoided the war but , in late July , learned that he would be going overseas . The second chapter , " August Cruise " , describes Mason ' s trip to Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division ( Airmobile ) aboard the " USS Croatan " , in August 1965 . " Setting Up Camp " , the third chapter , tells the story of the Cavalry ' s deployment to An Khe , in central South Vietnam , and Mason ' s first combat experiences in September 1965 . Chapter Four , " Happy Valley " , covers October 1965 and describes , among other things , Mason ' s first R & R in Saigon and an episode in which he accidentally shot out the instrument panel of his own helicopter with a 45 caliber pistol . Chapter Five , " Ia Drang " , describes the increasingly hectic pace of the fighting in November 1965 , during the Battle of Ia Drang . December 1965 is described in chapter six , " The Holidays " . Mason and a similarly experienced pilot , Resler , who became one of Mason ' s closest friends from Vietnam , began flying together . The seventh chapter , " The Rifle Range " , describes the events of January 1966 , in which Mason crashed his Huey on landing , causing moderate damage but escaping without injury . Chapter eight , " Bong Son Valley " , written about the events of February 1966 , contains Mason ' s description of a Vietnamese village and the bars of Qui Nhon . In chapter nine , " Tension " , Mason details his R & R in Taiwan in March 1966 and his decision to volunteer for a transfer out of the " Cav " to another helicopter unit . " Grounded " , chapter ten , deals with Mason ' s grounding due to illness and his relief at being able to fly again in April 1966 . By May 1966 , Mason was a short - timer , with his year - long tour in Vietnam winding down . Chapter eleven , " Transfer " , describes his transfer out of the Cav to a unit nicknamed The Prospectors and his surprise at learning , a few weeks later , that Resler had also transferred to the same unit . Chapter twelve , " La Guerilla Bonita " , contains Mason ' s experience with unwilling ARVN soldiers in June 1966 and the side - business of The Prospectors : delivering ice around Vietnam , in exchange for various commodities and favours . It also contains the first hints of the post - traumatic stress disorder problems Mason would experience more seriously after the war . " Tell Me You ' re Afraid " , chapter thirteen , covers Mason ' s last months in Vietnam , July and August 1966 . In an epilogue , Mason sketches out his activities upon returning to the US . Sequel . Mason ' s post - Vietnam activities were expanded upon in Mason ' s sequel , " Chickenhawk : Back in the World " , published in 1993 .