Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
4:31 | Helicopter pilot David Farthing had forgotten the incident for years, like so much of the Vietnam War forgotten by so many of its veterans. It was years later that it came to him how close he was to dying on his very first combat mission.
Keywords : David Farthing pilot Australian helicopter (chopper) Khanh Hoa Viet Cong (VC) Distinguished Service Cross Victor Smith Walter D. Aexander Vietnam
David Farthing was born in Brisbane but, in 1942, civilians were moved south because of the war. After growing up near Melbourne, he entered the Naval College at fifteen years old. After he became an established officer, he jumped at the chance to go to flight school, where he learned to fly both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.
A career officer and pilot in the Australian Navy, David Farthing was an instructor for a time, then it was his turn for a Vietnam tour. He would command the Australian component of a combined US/Australian helicopter company. A team of good young pilots was assembled and his wife commented years later, they were like the guys in Top Gun.
It was an assault helicopter company composed of US and Australian personnel. David Farthing was the leader of the Australian contingent and he had to go over the head of the American commander when an unqualified pilot arrived as an instructor. The outcome of that incident tragically confirmed his opinion of the man.
When a new pilot checked in, David Farthing asked where he was before. The answer caused him to bite his tongue. They were always short of pilots in the assault helicopter company, but he didn't think this guy was going to work out. Overall, though, things were getting better and it was his opinion that it had a lot to do with the new top commander, Creighton Abrams. (Caution: coarse language.)
There was a cocky young pilot in David Farthing's company who came back from a mission with greenery on his skids. His explanation was surprising. Another pilot wanted to marry a Vietnamese woman who worked at the base but there were some obstacles to overcome.
It was difficult to return home to Australia from Vietnam. The war was unpopular and the veterans were shunned. David Farthing was a career Navy officer and continued a very good career, but he was not immune to this sentiment.
He was a mariner and a pilot but David Farthing felt that he needed a more academic skill, so he went to law school while still serving as an Australian Navy officer. That allowed him to have a very nice second career when he left the service.
