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. Shot down nine times, Hardman returned home physically alive but deeply changed. The book follows his struggle with post-traumatic stress, addiction, and the challenge of rebuilding a life in a world that felt unfamiliar.

Written with honesty and restraint, First Tour avoids glorification and instead offers reflection, accountability, and insight. It is a story of resilience, survival, and the enduring human cost of war, told by the man who lived it.