Charles Merkel’s parents met at Fort Benning, Georgia, where his father was preparing to go off to fight in World War II. Merkel joined the Army and went to helicopter flight school at Fort Walters, Texas, where he soloed after only 12 hours of training. He learned to fly in the H-13, then transitioned to the Huey, which he loved. Merkel arrived in Vietnam in 1968 and was assigned to the Casper Platoon, 173rd Airborne Brigade located at LZ English in Bong Son. He was later assigned to fly as personal pilot for General Barnes, the brigade commander. On his off-duty time, he did whatever he could to help the kids at local Buddhist orphanage and  Protestant orphanages. Six or seven months into his tour, WO-1 Merkel received a battlefield commission as a second lieutenant. After extending his tour of duty, he then flew for General Cunningham. Merkel tells the story of getting mortared, and friends getting injured and killed. He also tells the story of adopting his dog, Ho Chi, a mixed German Shepherd and Chow, who he was able to bring home.