First Tour is a powerful firsthand account of a young U.S. Army helicopter pilot sent to Vietnam in 1968, unprepared for how war would shape his life. Through vivid memories and reflection, David Hardman shares what it meant to fly combat missions during the conflict’s defining moments and what it took to live with those experiences afterward. This is not a glorified war story, but a deeply human one, exploring courage, loss, resilience, and the search for meaning long after the war ends.
About First Tour
In 1968, David Hardman arrived in Vietnam as a young, newly trained helicopter pilot with dreams of flying and serving his country. What he encountered instead was a war that reshaped his understanding of fear, responsibility, and survival. First Tour chronicles his experiences flying combat missions during major operations such as the Tet Offensive, Khe Sanh, the A Shau Valley, and the Taj Mahole.
But this memoir is not only about combat. It is about the aftermath, how war lingers in memory, behavior, and identity long after the uniform is removed.
David Hardman
Vietnam Veteran • U.S. Army Helicopter Pilot • Memoirist
David Hardman served two combat tours in Vietnam as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot, flying dangerous missions during some of the war’s most intense operations. Shot down nine times, he survived the physical dangers of combat while carrying home the emotional weight that so many veterans know all too well.
Before military service, Hardman grew up in constant motion, attending multiple schools and rarely finding stability. That restlessness followed him into adulthood, shaping a life marked by reinvention, struggle, and resilience.
- Linda M.
First Tour offers clarity, courage, and compassion, showing the real cost of war and the strength it takes to heal.
- Michael R.
A gripping and deeply honest memoir that captures both the chaos of combat and the quiet battles veterans carry home.
- Susan L.
Hardman tells the truth without exaggeration. This book stays with you long after the final page.
TESTIMONIALS
Praise for An Act of Congress.
Readers praise First Tour for its honesty, emotional depth, and unflinching portrayal of war’s lasting impact.
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