Robert Mason (writer)
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| Robert Mason | |
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| Born 1945 | |
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| Nickname | "Bob" |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1964-1968 |
| Rank | Warrant Officer 1 |
| Unit | 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War *Battle of Ia Drang |
Robert C. Mason is a veteran of the Vietnam War and author of several books, including his two memoirs: Chickenhawk and Chickenhawk Back in the World: Life After Vietnam. Mason piloted UH-1 Huey Slicks in the United States Army as a Warrant Officer 1. He was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) for around a year (including over 6 months in Vietnam) before transferring to the 48th Aviation Company.
After his one-year tour of duty, Mason became an instructor pilot. However, he was grounded soon after for deteriorating mental health, which was later diagnosed as Post traumatic stress disorder which he had from his service in Vietnam. He had an escalating drinking problem which grew to the point where he began taking marijuana.
In 1979, Mason began to write a book about his tour in Vietnam. He named it Chickenhawk after a conversation he and his friend Jerry Towler had while waiting to pick up some GIs. In 1981, he was arrested for smuggling marijuana on a boat from Colombia.
The book was published in 1983, and was very well-received.
