The Flying Grunt

The Story of Lieutenant General Richard E. Carey, United States Marine Corps (Ret)

By: Alan E. Mesches

Narrated by: Chris Monteiro

Richard Edward Carey came from a broken home. Enlisting in the Corps in 1946 he later earned a commission, fighting at Inchon and Chosin in Korea before becoming a pilot. During his thirty-eight-year military career he witnessed and participated in major historical events, though a high school wrestling injury would eliminate him from the Mercury-7 space program.

As a second lieutenant, he tackled General Douglas MacArthur on the way to Seoul in 1950. Carey would provide critical intelligence decisions enabling the successful defense of the Chinese attack on Hagaru-ri at the Chosin Reservoir. In 189 days of combat, he escaped death seven times, and was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals. In Vietnam, he flew 204 combat sorties, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and 16 Air Medals. In 1975, from Saigon, Carey led history's largest helicopter evacuation of refugees.

In retirement, Carey served as a cabinet member for the governor of Ohio and ran the airport in his native home of Columbus. When the Careys moved to Texas, Carey continued supporting veterans, advocating for veterans' health care, aiding the drive to build accommodation for families of hospitalized veterans, and was a leader in the effort to build a veterans' cemetery in Dallas.

©2023 Alan E. Mesches (P)2023 Tantor

General Carey is the man

by far one of my favorite books. to know what General Carey has done for the future of our Marine Corps and the United States of America. I have done several military books and I also felt like this one touched on various subjects that I've read in the past. for example, the story of Dan Bullock. highly recommend! and to General Carey, Thank you for you're service.