The OP has a friend that was a door gunner and he asked about some war stories.
Gary Wetzel was a Door Gunner on a Huey Helicopter and was assigned to the 173rd Assault Helicopter Company (The Robinhoods) based at Lai Khe in III Corps Military District a bit north of Saigon.
I will let the video tell his story.....as it is he who is telling it.
He exemplifies the kind of Soldier I was so honored to be allowed to serve with during those difficult times.
His unit was one of the Huey Companies in my Battalion.