In Hot

Told through the eyes of a Marine Lieutenant who dropped out of college, this autobiography recounts the Vietnam tour of Joseph L. Hutton, Jr., in his own words. Joining the Marine Corps, and then working his way up, Hutton provides an “inside the wire” and sometimes humorous, often exciting, look at the life and daily routine of a Marine Aviation Lieutenant flying the UH-1E Helicopter. As he and his friends fought an unpopular war, these young men fought hard, played hard, suffered personal losses, and enjoyed successes together while suffering the hardship of separation from their loved ones. As members of Marine Light Helicopter Squadron 167, the only Marine Helicopter squadron ever formed in combat, and at one time the largest helicopter squadron in the Marine Corps, they faced difficult conditions and accomplished significant missions while working short-handed and under the pressure of adverse weather and significant enemy resistance. They performed the unlikely and accomplished the near impossible, developing their own tactics and procedures while receiving conflicting guidance from the ever-changing leadership, all done without recognition or reward. Illustrated throughout with images from the author’s private collection, this autobiography presents the story of Hutton and the brave young men with whom he served.

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph L. Hutton, Jr. served his country in the United States Marine Corps for 25 years. He has followed his military service with a variety of occupations, including airport manager, math teacher, soccer referee, and is currently working as a substitute teacher in Onslow County, North Carolina.

Joseph L Hutton, Jr.
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages:
Bibliographic Info: ca. 55 photos, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2025
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9742-0
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5511-6
Imprint: McFarland

• “In Hot: Memoir of a Marine Huey Pilot in Vietnam is a very interesting journey of a dedicated Marine Corps aviator from the start to the ending of his military aviation career. Joe Hutton accurately and vividly portrays the encounters of the HML-167 helicopter squadron aircrews who provided varied and oftentimes intensive 24/7 support for the USMC soldiers fighting an unpopular war.”—Mike “MAl” Smith, Colonel (Ret), HML167 Squadron Mate

• “Joe Hutton’s book brought back many memories. It’s an honest account of a young Marine aviator’s war in the early years of helicopter gunship support. Veterans will read it knowingly, and others will learn more about helicopter combat in Vietnam.”—Michael J. Williams, General USMC (Ret), former ACMC (September 2000–September 2002)

• “This true story reveals the route taken by a young man from Missouri during the turbulent 60s. The draft laws throughout the United States placed high school graduates primarily into the U.S. Army. Joe Hutton was faced with the decision, to become a draftee following his 1-A draft notice or to join the United States Marine Corps. He joined the Corps and this is his story. His movement through the Corps and flight training placed him in a Huey Gunship (HML-167) in Vietnam as a First Lieutenant and I, also a first lieutenant and also from a small farm in Missouri, flew in MAG-16 (Marine Air Group) in separate squadrons…me in a Phrog (HMM-262) and Joe in a Gunship. His abilities as a talented Gunship pilot were well known. I had the unique experience of knowing he was on my shoulder when flying medevac going into combat zones. His call sign was Comprise 11 and when I heard that over the air, as we dropped into those zones and clawed our way out of those zones, just knowing he was there steadied the flight. He became the Generals pilot a top-pilot and I as a CH-46 Phrog driver who occasionally followed along behind just in case he might need a lift. This book has magnificent detail and it will be on my book shelf with worn pages as I grow older and reflect on those days when we both were young Marines and friends in Vietnam… I salute him.”—Lt Col “Hal” Walker, USMCR (Ret)