"Fasten your seatbelt for..."

           “An extraordinary story, superbly told... I predict that "The Rescue of Streetcar 304" 

                                     will become an instant military aviation classic." 

                                           ---Stephen Coonts, 'Flight of the Intruder'                                                                                                                   

Kenny in front of Streetcar 313, an A-7A "Corsair" that he flew often

during his two combat tours aboard USS America and USS Coral Sea. 

The plane is now at the Hickory, NC Aviation Museum.   www.hickoryaviationmuseum.org 

 

This book will be remembered as a nonfiction classic of the Vietnam War!     When reading The Rescue of Streetcar 304 by Kenny Wayne Fields, there is the sense that he is tracking to some source as he tells his story; and that you are progressing with him to a more complete understanding of not only a Navy pilots forty hours on the run in Laos, but of the author's core character, and things demonstrated by his brothers-in-arms, like courage under fire, and honoring one's commitments in the face of adversity. This is a truly outstanding book, a authentic tale told by a unique, one-of-a-kind writer. I think this book will be remembered as one of the nonfiction classics of the Vietnam War.  ---Dan Guenther, Marine captain in Vietnam and author, "China Wind"

  

**********Book Excerpt, Chapter 19, page 218**********

                               (In this scene, Streetcar 304 is surrounded by 15 enemy soldiers) 

"The scenario was tense and baffling. For fifteen excruciating minutes, it was difficult to

understand the enemy’s intention. It was as if they knew I hadn’t continued to run away

and that I was hiding close by. They were waiting for me to bolt but they didn’t try any of

the tactics that had been used the evening before. They didn’t call out “Hey, G.I. Joe,

give up, come on out”. They didn’t fire any warning shots. It was mystifying and I spent

the time trying to interpret their intent. During those fifteen minutes, none of the troops

made a sound or moved a muscle other than their moving heads and searching eyes. They

were completely stationary as if they’d turned to stone. A single Marine with an automatic

rifle could have taken all of them out... easily." 

**********Recent News!**********As of June 2nd, 2009 

Just as many readers of "Streetcar 304" predicted, several movie producers have recently expressed

interest in the story.  Minor interest thus far but enough at least to warrant further evaluation by them

of the story's merit.

Visit our new web page to the left..."Memorial Day"....which contains a short story by Kenny.

Kenny's book signing event at the Smithsonian Museum of American History in DC  on April 5th

was a rousing success.  For those who haven't yet seen the renovated history  museum, put it on

your list of things to do.

On Feb 22nd, Kenny was a guest on the Charles Heller "Liberty Watch" radio show, KVOI in

Tuczon, AZ. The radio interview is archived and can be heard via the internet at

www.libertywatchradio.com/listen  until March 22nd.

In late November 2008, Kenny (Streetcar 304) and Pete (Nail 69) returned to re-visit the scene

where the story took place---Tchepone in Laos. We actually walked around the battle field...

found the site of Kenny's A-7 wreckage...dug up a few small parts of it to bring home...and talked

to the villagers who live near-by.  While in Laos, a producer of documentaries did a video interview

of both Streetcar 304 and Nail 69 and he is trying to get funding for a full documentary film about

the rescue story. Check out the trip photos on the "Laos" page on this site---upper left menu. 

**********Older News**********

  At an annual award banquet on October 16th, Kenny's publisher, Naval Institute Press,

presented him with their "2008 Author of the Year---2nd Place" award for "The Rescue of

Streetcar 304".  Click here to read more and view photo...THE RESCUE OF STREETCAR 304

   On October 11th, Kenny was inducted into the Lincoln Memorial University

"Literary Hall of Fame" in Harrogate, TN.   

   The publisher released a full sized, "trade" paperback version of

the book in November '08 and it's now available for orders on-line at www.amazon.com  etc

at a reduced price, $13.59, plus shipping...or, in most bookstores for $19.99

  The September 2008 issue of "Air & Space Magazine" had a very favorable review

about the "Streetcar 304" book.  Called it a "gripping narrative...."  And, while signing books

recently at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museums in Washington, DC, Kenny was told by

the staff that "The Rescue of Streetcar 304" was the museum's "top selling book for 2007."

  Kenny has a new "blog" page on amazon.com so, to check out his current thoughts

and view points, go to:

 http://www.amazon.com/gp/blog/A3EHPF3M4M99XA/ref=cm_blog_dp_artist_blog .   

  The author now has a new "Facebook" web page so add him---Kenny Wayne Fields--- 

to your "friend's list" if you use that website.  

**********Author's future/past events**********

2009....

Feb 22, 1pm MST         Live radio interview with Charles Heller, KVOI, Tucson, AZ

Apr 5,   10am-5pm       Smithsonian Museum of American History/book signing

Apr 6,   10am-5pm       Smithsonian Udvar/Hazy Aviation Museum, book signing

Apr 6,    6pm-9pm        Commemorative Air Force meeting, Leesburg, VA/book presentation

May 7,    Noon               Naval Aviation Museum Foundation Symposium, speaker/book signing

May 16,  7 p.m.              Speaker at annual ROTC dinner, South Point H.S., Rock Hill, SC

May 22, 8:30am           Live radio interview with WJCW, 910 AM, in Johnson City, TN

May 24,  2:30 p.m.      Guest Speaker, Jonesborough, TN, Memorial Day event, book signing, visitor's center

2008....

Oct 4th                           Homer Hickam's "October Sky Festival, Coalwood, WV, book signing

Oct 11th                          Induction into "Literary Hall of Fame", Lincoln Memorial U., Harrogate, TN 

Oct 14th                         Navy NCIS School staff/students, Glynco, GA., story presentation/book signing 

Nov 5th                          MOAA Branch meeting, Davidson, NC, story presentation/book signing

Nov 7th                          Matthews, NC Library, story presentation/book signing. Public event...

Nov 16th                        Barnes & Noble book store, Birkdale Village Shopping center, Huntersville, NC

Nov 21st                         Streetcar 304 & Nail 69 re-visited the battle scene near Tchepone, Laos

Dec 4th                           Harrisburg, NC Library, story presentation/book signing

Dec 5th                           "Main Street Books" store, Davidson, NC/book signing

Dec 6th                           Fort Jackson Army Base PX store, Columbia, SC, book signing

Dec 7th                           Borders Book store, Northlake Mall, Charlotte, NC

Dec 11th                         Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Lexington, VA, book store for signings

Dec 12th                         Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, Washington, DC/book signing

Dec 13th                         Smithsonian Udvar/Hazy Aviation Museum, book signing

Dec 14th                         Leesburg, VA Thomas Balch Library, story presentation/book signing

Dec 20th                        Books-a-Million, Concord Mills Shopping Mall, book signing 

                           *********************

             Click on the "Book Signings" page, upper left

page menu, for more of the author's past events....

                                                     **********************