Books of 2023

Book 49 of 2023

Title: More Fun in the New World Authors: John Doe & Tom Desavia ISBN: 9780306922121 Tags: (tumblr is being a bitch and won't let me post them) Rating: ★★★★ (4 Stars) Subject: Books.General Non-Fiction.Music.Punk

Description: Sequel to Grammy-nominated bestseller Under the Big Black Sun, continuing the up-close and personal account of the L.A. punk scene, with 50 rare photos

Picking up where Under the Big Black Sun left off, More Fun in the New World explores the years 1982 to 1987, covering the dizzying pinnacle of L.A.'s punk rock movement as its stars took to the national — and often international — stage. Detailing the eventual splintering of punk into various sub-genres, the second volume of John Doe and Tom DeSavia's west coast punk history portrays the rich cultural diversity of the movement and its characters, the legacy of the scene, how it affected other art forms, and ultimately influenced mainstream pop culture. The book also pays tribute to many of the fallen soldiers of punk rock, the pioneers who left the world much too early but whose influence hasn't faded.

Review: Not a bad book, but doesn't come close to as good as the first one. This is a time of implosion and fracturing of the scene. Of people burning out, breaking off, and struggles. It was a bad time for LA Punk in many ways and the book echos that sentiment. What I disliked most was the deliberate focus on cowpunk above everything else, and that's a personal preference since I wasn't that big of a fan of cowpunk or much of the paisley underground either. If you are though, this is DEFINITELY the book for you

Books of 2023

Book 48 of 2023

Title: Gone Native Authors: Alan G. Cornett ISBN: 9780804116374 Tags: A-1 Skyraider, AC-47 Spooky, B-52 Stratofortress, FAC, FRA France, GER Bad Tolz, GER Flint Kaserne, GER Germany, GER Mainz, GER Munich, GER Schweinfurt, GER USA 1SG Academy - Munich, GER USA ARSOFE Army Special Operations Force Europe, JPN Okinawa, KHM Cambodia, KHM Cambodian Civil War (1967-1975), KHM FANK Khmer Army / Forces Armees Nationals Khmeres (1970-1975) (Cambodian Civil War), KOR Battle of Bayonet Hill / Hill 180 (1951) (Korean War), KOR Korean War (1950-1953), KOR Naktong River, KOR Pusan, KOR ROK 9th White Horse Division, KOR ROK Republic of Korea Army, Military Police, Nungs, PHL Hukbalahap, PHL Philippines, THA Bangkok, THA Thailand, US CIA Central Intelligence Agency, US CIA William Colby, US Court Martial Hearing, US MOH Medal of Honor, US USA 101st Airborne Division - 1st Brigade, US USA 101st Airborne Division - 1st Brigade - LRRP Det, US USA 101st Airborne Division - Screaming Eagles, US USA 173rd Airborne Brigade - Sky Soldiers, US USA 1st Cavalry Division, US USA 24th ID, US USA 25th ID, US USA 27th Infantry Regiment, US USA 27th Infantry Regiment - E Co, US USA 2nd Philippine Scouts, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327 - Tiger Force Recon, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 2/327, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 2/327 - Hawk Recon, US USA 34th Infantry Regiment, US USA 34th Infantry Regiment - K Co, US USA 502nd Infantry Regiment, US USA 502nd Infantry Regiment - 2/502, US USA 502nd Infantry Regiment - 2/502 - Recondos, US USA 509th Infantry Bn, US USA 58th Infantry Regiment, US USA 58th Infantry Regiment - F Co (LRP), US USA 5th Army, US USA 5th Army - Inspector General, US USA 75th Rangers, US USA 75th Rangers - A Co, US USA 82nd Airborne Division - All American, US USA 8th ID, US USA 90th ID, US USA ANG Army National Guard, US USA Army Reserve, US USA Camp Frank D. Merrill GA - Mountain Phase Ranger School, US USA Capt Joe Hooper (MOH) (Vietnam War), US USA Col Lewis Lee Millet Sr (MOH) (Korean War), US USA Fort Benning GA, US USA Fort Benning GA - Airborne School, US USA Fort Benning GA - IOBC Infantry Officers Basic Course, US USA Fort Benning GA - Ranger School, US USA Fort Benning GA - Victory Pond, US USA Fort Bragg NC, US USA Fort Bragg NC - Advanced Medical Lab, US USA Fort Bragg NC - JFK Special Warfare Center / School, US USA Fort Carson CO, US USA Fort Gordon GA, US USA Fort Jackson SC, US USA Fort Jackson SC - Moncleaf Hospital, US USA Fort Leavenworth KS, US USA Fort Leavenworth KS - USDB United States Disciplinary Barracks, US USA Fort Riley KS, US USA Fort Riley KS - Irwin Army Hospital, US USA Fort Riley KS - USARB United States Army Retraining Brigade, US USA Fort Sam Houston TX, US USA General Olinto Barsanti, US USA General William J. Donovan, US USA General William Westmoreland, US USA James Walker (101st LRRP), US USA LRRP Team (Vietnam War), US USA Reynel Martinez (101st LRRP), US USA SSG David C. (Mad Dog) Dolby (MOH) (Vietnam War), US USA United States Army, US USA USSF 10th SFG, US USA USSF 1st SFG, US USA USSF 5th SFG, US USA USSF 77th SFG, US USA USSF Green Berets, US USA USSF Special Forces, US USA USSF Team ODB-52, US USAF Eglin Air Force Base FL, US USAF General John F Flanagan, US USAF United States Air Force, US USMC 1SG Jimmie E Howard (MOH) (Vietnam War), US USMC 1st MarDiv, US USMC 1st MarDiv - 1st Recon Bn, US USMC 1st MarDiv - 1st Recon Bn - C Co, US USMC United States Marine Corps, VNM 1968 Tet Offensive (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM Ban Me Thuot, VNM Bien Hoa, VNM Buon Dham, VNM Buon Ma, VNM Buon Ya, VNM Cam Le, VNM Central Highlands, VNM Chu Lai, VNM CIA Air America (1950-1976) (Vietnam War), VNM CIA Phung Hoang / Phoenix Program (1965-1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Command and Control North/FOB-3 (Vietnam War), VNM Con Son Island, VNM Da Lat, VNM Dar Lac Province, VNM Di An, VNM Don Duong, VNM DRV NVA 1st Division, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV NVA Work Site 1, VNM DRV VC 816 Main Force Co, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM Duc My, VNM Duc Pho, VNM Gia Dinh Province, VNM Hill 163 (Nui Cau), VNM Hill 488 (Nui Vu), VNM Hmong Meo Tribesmen, VNM I Corps (Vietnam War), VNM II Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Khe Sanh, VNM Lac Thien, VNM LBJ Long Binh Jail - USARVIS US Army Vietnam Installation Stockade (Vietnam War), VNM LBJ Long Binh Jail (Vietnam War), VNM Long Binh Post - Graves Registration (Vietnam War), VNM Long Binh Post (Vietnam War), VNM Montagnards, VNM Montagnards - Rhade, VNM Nha Trang, VNM Nha Trang - 5th SFG Recondo School (Vietnam War), VNM Nha Trang - Nautique, VNM Nui Dang, VNM Operation Arc Light (1965-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Cattle Drive (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Crazy Horse (1966) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Leaping Lena (1964) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Wheeler (1967) (Vietnam War), VNM Phan Rang Air Base, VNM Phan Thiet, VNM Phu Bai, VNM RVN ARVN 91st Airborne Ranger Bn., VNM RVN ARVN Airborne Division, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN CIDG Civilian Irregular Defense Group, VNM RVN ARVN LLDB Luc Luong Dac Biet Special Forces, VNM RVN ARVN National Training Center - Duc My, VNM RVN ARVN Ranger Training Center - Duc My, VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF 302nd RF Co (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF Regional Forces/Popular Forces (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN Vietnamese Rangers - Biet Dong Quan, VNM RVN Chieu Hoi Program/Force 66 - Luc Luong 66 (Vietnam War), VNM RVN KHM Cambodian Training Center - Duc My, VNM RVN RVNP Can Sat National Police, VNM RVN RVNP CSDB Can Sat Dac Biet Special Branch Police, VNM RVN RVNP CSDB PRU Provincial Reconnaissance Units (Vietnam War), VNM RVN SVNAF South Vietnamese Air Force, VNM Saigon, VNM Saigon - Camp Goodman, VNM Song Be, VNM Song Pha, VNM Song Ve, VNM Song Ve Valley, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base - Camp Alpha (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory School - Di An (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Team 25 (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV CORDS Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support (1967-1975) (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US MACVSOG (1964-1972) (Vietnam War), VNM US MACVSOG Hatchet Force Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US Project Delta - Det B-52 (Vietnam War), VNM US Project Delta - Roadrunner Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US Project Delta - RT Viper (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 6th Convalescent Hospital - Cam Ranh Bay, VNM US USMC KSCB Khe Sanh Combat Base (Vietnam War), VNM US USMC/USA Phu Bai Combat Base (Vietnam War), VNM US USSF 5th SFOB Special Forces Operation Base - Nha Trang, VNM US USSF Mobile Strike Force - Nha Trang MIKE Force (Vietnam War), VNM US USSF Mobile Strike Force (MIKE) (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), WW2 World War 2 (1939-1945), WWII US OSS Office of Strategic Services Rating: ★★★★ (4 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ARVN.PRU, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ARVN.RF/PF, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.Green Berets, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.Green Berets.Project Delta, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.LRRPs, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Advisor, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Infantry, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Medic, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.US.US Army.Infantry Year Read: 48 of 2023 Price: 8.99 Month Read: 08

Description: On his first combat assignment, Cornett accompanied the Vietnamese Rangers on a search-and-destroy mission near Khe Sang. There he gained entree into a culture that he would ultimately respect greatly and admire deeply. Cornett's most challenging military duty began when he joined the Phoenix Program. As part of AK squad, he dressed in enemy uniform and roamed the deadly Central Highlands, capturing high-ranking VC officers in hot firefights and ambushes. It was there, deep in enemy territory, where the smallest mistake meant sudden death, that the Vietnamese fighting men earned his utmost respect.While offering rare glimpses of an aspect of the war most of the military and media never saw, Cornett tells the full, gut-wrenching story of his Vietnam. He also gives an unsparing view of himself - telling a no-holds-barred story of an American soldier who made sacrifices far beyond the call of duty . . . a soldier who, in defiance of the U.S. government, refused to turn his back on the Vietnamese. From the Paperback edition.

Review: This is a book that is great in some places, less so in others. I was actually tempted to stop reading it part way through because of how the story ends, and there will be spoilers in this review.

This book is a lot about failure, and overcoming failure, and then more and more failure. So much failure. This is a dude who... fails. He also succeeds but where the heart of the story is, well it's in his failures. He manages to end up in the famed Green Berets as a medic and assigned to Project Delta/B-52 but is basically kicked out for being a liability. He ends up in the 101st with their brigade LRRP team where he finds his first home. For those of you who read a lot about the VN war, you'll recognize a lot of the cast of characters in this section, with a majority of the focus being on his relationship with Rey Martinez. He then bounces around a bit, a little time in Germany, some time training medical stuff at replacement centers, and eventually as an Advisor in a few different areas. Throughout all of this he falls in love, fucks up the relationships, gets into a fucked up relationship, does a lot of drugs, gets drunk a lot, gets in trouble a lot, and eventually marries a VN woman who he later drifts apart from even though staying close to his brother in law who he fought with. At one point he tries to kill his XO and is court-martialed for it, but somehow manages to serve his time and rejoin the army for a very long career - totally unheard of but true! The problem with the book is that it is uneven, which keeps it from being a 5 star book... his coverage of certain battles is super finely detailed whereas his court martial and time in jail is barely a wisp of text. He tells more about using drugs and drinking than he does talking about his role as a medic and the training. Overall a good book and fills in some more stories from the 101st and the 302nd RF Co. He does a great job with the other cast of characters, and their stories and it's worth it just for that.

Books of 2023

Book 47 of 2023

Title: Three Tastes of Nuoc Mam Authors: Douglas Branson ISBN: 9786613914316 Tags: AUS ADF AA Australian Army, AUS ADF Australian Defence Force, AUS Australia, HKG Hong Kong, HKG Hong Kong - Peninsula Hotel, KOR Korea, KOR ROK 9th White Horse Division, KOR ROK Republic of Korea Army, P-3 Orion, US Bob Hope (Entertainer), US USA United States Army, US USA USSF Green Berets, US USA USSF Special Forces, US USCG United States Coast Guard, US USCG USCGC Point Comfort (WPB-82317), US USN United States Navy, US USN USS Currituck Sound (AV-7), US USN USS Vesuvius (AE-15), US USO United Service Organizations, USN Admiral Elmo Russell "Bud" Zumwalt Jr, USN PCF Patrol Craft Fast Swift Boat, VNM ADF AA 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF) (Vietnam War), VNM ADF AA AATF Australian Army Training Team (Vietnam War), VNM Ba Dong, VNM Binh Thuan Province, VNM Cam Ranh Bay, VNM Co Chien River, VNM Con Na Beach, VNM Cu Lao Cau, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM Highway 1, VNM Hon Cu Loa (Monkey Island), VNM Hon Mat, VNM Hon Mieu (South Island), VNM Hon Tam, VNM Hon Tre (Bamboo Island), VNM III Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Mekong Delta, VNM Nha Trang, VNM Nui Dat, VNM Operation Market Time (1965-1975) (Vietnam War), VNM Phan Rang Air Base, VNM Phan Thiet, VNM Point Ke Ga, VNM Point Mui Dinh, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN Vietnamese Rangers - Biet Dong Quan, VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Diem, VNM RVN Nguyen Van Thieu, VNM RVN RVNP Can Sat National Police, VNM RVN VNN LLHT Luc Luong Hai Thuyen Navy Coastal Force / Junk Force(Vietnam War), VNM RVN VNN Republic of Vietnam Navy, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VNM Truong Son Mountains, VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM USN Coastal Patrol Center III Corps - Halo Shampoo, VNM USN Coastal Surveillance Center III Corps - Nha Trang, VNM USN TF 117 MRF Mobile Riverine Force (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), VNM VNN Yabudda Junks, VNM Vung Tau Rating: ★★(2 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Naval.VNN Year Read: 47 of 2023 Price: 13.29

Description: During the War, Vietnam's coast had to be protected against Viet Cong ambushes and smuggling. The U.S. forces had destroyers, cruisers and gargantuan aircraft carriers, none suited for inshore patrol. This is the story of the Brown Water Navy, the garage-band flotilla assembled to do the job.Douglas Branson has been to Vietnam several times, including trips in 1966, 1995 and 2011. The first time, he was a 22-year-old, Brown Water Navy lieutenant JG. Subsequent visits were as a consultant/tourist. Here, Branson recounts three of his Vietnam adventures with humor, detail and insight into the economic, political and gastronomic forces at work.

Review: I'll be honest, I didn't finish this book. I read the vietnam war part, and skipped the rest because even the war part was difficult to get through. This wasn't quite a 1 star book but it definitely came close. For anyone who has read anything about Operation Market Time, the Swift boats, or even coastal advisors - this book sets off red flags and alarm bells. The author has some very strong opinions about everyone and everything and often ... well ... let's just say that he vacillates wildly from complete bullshit to just plain stupid. Avoid this book and read Bob Andretta's Brown Water Runs Red for a better book on the Junk Force.

Books of 2023

Book 46 of 2023

Title: Farewell, Ham Tan Arty: An Artilleryman's Journal During the Vietnam War Drawdown Authors: Gerald Herter ISBN: 9798985051223 Tags: AC-119G Shadow, AUS ADF AA Australian Army, AUS ADF Australian Defence Force, CHN China, CHN Hong Kong, FAC, FRA France, FRA Paris, GBR RN Royal Navy, GBR United Kingdom, GER Bad Kreuznach, GER Frankfurt, GER Germany, GER Oberammergau, GER USA Baumholder Base, GER USAF Rhein-Main Air Base, HKG Hong Kong, HKG Hong Kong - China Fleet Club, HKG Hong Kong - Chinese Theater Restaurant, HKG Hong Kong - Gaddi's Restaurant, HKG Hong Kong - Grand Hotel, HKG Hong Kong - Hilton Hotel, HKG Hong Kong - Jimmy's Kitchen Restaurant, HKG Hong Kong - Juno's Revolving Restaurant, HKG Hong Kong - Kowloon, HKG Hong Kong - Mandarin Hotel, HKG Hong Kong - RN Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, HKG Hong Kong - Victoria Peak, KHM Cambodia, KHM Cambodian Civil War (1967-1975), KHM Cambodian Incursion (1970) (Vietnam War), KHM General Lon Nol, KHM King & President Norodom Sihanouk, KHM Phnom Penh, LAO Lam Son 719 (1971) (Vietnam War), LAO Laos, LAO Laotian Civil War (1959-1975), M109 Paladin, O-1 Bird Dog, THA Ayutthaya, THA Bangkok, THA Thailand, US Bob Hope (Entertainer), US CIA Central Intelligence Agency, US MOH Medal of Honor, US State Department, US USA 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment - Blackhorse, US USA 12th Artillery Regiment, US USA 12th Artillery Regiment - 2/12, US USA 12th Artillery Regiment - 2/12 - A Batt, US USA 16th Artillery Regiment, US USA 16th Artillery Regiment - 7/16, US USA 1st Cavalry Division, US USA 1st Cavalry Division - 3rd Brigade, US USA 21st Artillery Regiment, US USA 21st Artillery Regiment - 1/21, US USA 23rd Artiller Group, US USA 25th ID, US USA 2nd Artillery Regiment, US USA 2nd Artillery Regiment - 1/2, US USA 35th Artillery Regiment, US USA 35th Artillery Regiment - 2/35, US USA 42nd Artillery Regiment, US USA 42nd Artillery Regiment - 5/42, US USA 42nd Artillery Regiment - 5/42 - A Batt, US USA 42nd Artillery Regiment - 5/42 - B Batt, US USA 42nd Artillery Regiment - 5/42 - C Batt, US USA 83rd Artillery Regiment, US USA 83rd Artillery Regiment - 5/83, US USA 8th ID, US USA 90th Replacement Bn, US USA 92nd Artillery Regiment, US USA 92nd Artillery Regiment - 1/92, US USA 92nd Artillery Regiment - 1/92 - A Batt, US USA ASA Army Security Agency, US USA Fort Benning GA, US USA Fort Riley KS, US USA Fort Sill OK, US USA Fort Sill OK - OBC Officer Basic Course, US USA LNO Army Liason Officer, US USA LRRP Team (Vietnam War), US USA Lt Brian Thacker (MOH), US USA United States Army, US USA USAEUR United States Army Europe, US USA USAEUR V Corps, US USA USSF 1st SFG, US USA USSF Green Berets, US USA USSF Special Forces, US USN United States Navy, US USN USS Lloyd Thomas (DD-764), US USO United Service Organizations, US WI University of Wisconsin, US WI University of Wisconsin - ROTC, US WI Wisconsin, USAID, VNM ADF AA 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF) (Vietnam War), VNM ARVN TF 302nd Bn, VNM ARVN TF Territorial Forces, VNM Assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem (1963) (Vietnam War), VNM Bao Tan, VNM Bearcat Base / Long Thanh North Airfield (Vietnam War), VNM Bien Hoa, VNM Bien Hoa Air Base (Vietnam War), VNM Binh Thuy, VNM CIA Air America (1950-1976) (Vietnam War), VNM Cu Chi, VNM Dak To, VNM Di An, VNM DRV NVA MR7 HQ, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM FSB 6 (Hill 1001) (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Apache (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Blackhorse (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Concord (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Deeble (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Dora (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Flower (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Husky (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Intrepid (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Joni / Flower (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Karen (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Mace (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Michelle (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Nancy (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Oldham (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Riviera (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Simmons (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Sylvia (Vietnam War), VNM Ham Tan, VNM Hiep An, VNM Hill 1001, VNM Ho Chi Minh Trail (Vietnam War), VNM III Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Lagi, VNM Lang Vei, VNM Lang Vei Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM Long Binh Post - Camp Price, VNM Long Binh Post - Plantation - II Field Force HQ (Vietnam War), VNM Long Binh Post (Vietnam War), VNM Long Hai, VNM Long Hai Mountains, VNM Long Khanh Province, VNM My Lai Massacre (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM Nui Be, VNM Nui Chui Chan, VNM Nui Dat, VNM Nui Nhon, VNM Nui Ong, VNM Nui Ta Kou, VNM Operation Snoopy (People Sniffer) (Vietnam War), VNM Paris Peace Accords (1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Phan Thiet, VNM Phu Loi, VNM Phuoc Tho, VNM Phuoc Tuy Province, VNM RVN ARVN 18th ID, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN General Do Cao Tri, VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF 177th RF Co (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF Regional Forces/Popular Forces (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN Vietnamese Rangers - Biet Dong Quan, VNM RVN Chieu Hoi Program/Force 66 - Luc Luong 66 (Vietnam War), VNM RVN General Duong Van Minh (Big Minh), VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Diem, VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Nhu, VNM RVN Nguyen Van Thieu, VNM Tam Tam, VNM Tan Linh, VNM Tan Ly, VNM Tan Ly - PF Outpost, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV CORDS Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support (1967-1975) (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV TRAC Third Regional Assistance Command (Vietnam War), VNM US USA II Field Force (1966-1971) (Vietnam War), VNM US USA Phu Loi Air Base (Vietnam War), VNM US USMC KSCB Khe Sanh Combat Base (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), VNM Vung Tau, VNM Xuan Loc Rating: ★★★ (3 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Advisor, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Artillery

Description: Experience firsthand as an artilleryman maneuvers the complexities of the Vietnam war. Today's college senior may face the daunting challenges of mountainous student debt and questionable job prospects, but not the horrific predicament a male student of the 1960's confronted with the military draft and imminent deployment to fight a deadly and thankless war in Vietnam. FAREWELL, HAM TAN ARTY, An Artilleryman's Journal during the Vietnam War Drawdown, follows as a student contemplates the options: flee to Canada, seek special favors to avoid serving, or answer his country's call. Much has been written of battles, heroic actions, and fatal political blunders. But what about the average young person pursuing the daily tasks of life?amidst a campus torn by anti-war protests,?through dehumanizing training in the sweltering heat of a Georgia summer,?playing at war in the former Nazi camps of Germany,?then finally on the ground in Vietnam,hoping to survive while carrying out orders from distant generals, and calming the fears of loved ones back home. An artillery officer's experiences, advancing from fire bases to province headquarters, speak out from a dust-stained journal, next to letters home nuanced to soften depictions of the dangers of the war zone that lay hidden between the lines. Transcend the sensationalism of war to contemplate how relationships were maintained with loved ones so far away, and the importance of those connections for boosting morale and fostering hope for the future. Whether through letters written, "Care" packages received, or a remote MARS radiophone call to a mother on Christmas Eve from deep within the distant combat zone of Vietnam, the feelings expressed melt away the miles, at least for a moment. Join with the soldier as his lifechanging decisions come to life on the pages of his journal.

Review: Meh - It was an ok-ish book but really not worth bothering with. He spends more time talking about care packages and his taxes than anything else.

Books of 2023

Book 45 of 2023

Title: A Backseat View from the Phantom Authors: Fleet S. Lentz Tags: A-6 Intruder, A-7 Corsair II, Air Liaison Officer, B-52 Stratofortress, F-4 Phantom II, F-8 Crusader, FAC, KC-130 Hercules, KHM Angkor Temples, KHM Cambodia, KHM Cambodian Civil War (1967-1975), KHM Pol Pot / Saloth Sar, KHM Tonle Sap (Great Lake), LAO Hmong Meo Tribesmen, LAO Laos, LAO Laotian Civil War (1959-1975), LAO Pathet Lao, LAO Plain of Jars / Plaine des Jarres, LAO Saravane, LAO Tchepone, LAO USAF Steve Canyon Program - Ravens FAC (Laotian Civil War), LAO Vientiane, lineback, MiG-15 Fagot, MiG-17 Fresco, MiG-19 Farmer, MiG-21 Fishbed, PHL Philippines, PHL Poro Point, PHL US USAF Clark Air Force Base, PHL US USN NAS Cubi Point, POW, SA-2 Guideline SAM, SA-7 Strela SAM, SAM, THA Bangkok, THA RTAF Royal Thai Air Force, THA RTAFB Nam Phong Royal Thai Airbase, THA RTAFB Nam Phong Royal Thai Airbase - The Rose Garden, THA RTAFB Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, THA RTNAF U-Tapao Air Field, THA Thailand, THA Udon Thani, THA Udon Thani - Charoen Hotel, THA Udon Thani - Yellow Bird Bar, THA US USA Port Samae San (Vietnam War), THA USMC TF Delta (Vietnam War), US President Richard M. Nixon, US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, US USAF JEST Jungle Environment Survival Training, US USAF United States Air Force, US USMC 9th Marines, US USMC 9th Marines - 3/9, US USMC MAG-15, US USMC MALS-41, US USMC MCAS Cherry Point NC, US USMC MCAS El Toro CA, US USMC MCAS El Toro CA - SERE School, US USMC United States Marine Corps, US USMC VFMA-115 Silver Eagles, US USMC VFMA-115 Silver Eagles - Blade, US USMC VMFA-112, US USMC VMFA-115, US USMC VMFA-232 Red Devils, US USMC VMFA-312, US USMC VMFA-533, US USN NAS Dallas TX, US USN NAS Glynco GA, US USN NAS Miramar CA, US USN NAS Miramar CA - Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), US USN NAS Oceana VA, US USN NAS Pensacola FL, US USN United States Navy, US USN VF-96, US USN VFA-192 Golden Dragons, US USN VT-10, VNM 1972 Easter Offensive / Nguyen Hue (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Cam Lo, VNM Camp Carroll (Vietnam War), VNM Da Nang, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV NVAF North Vietnamese Air Force, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM Gia Lam, VNM Hanoi, VNM Hanoi - Ho Lao Prison (Hanoi Hilton) (Vietnam War), VNM Hanoi - Metropole Hotel, VNM Operation Arc Light (1965-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Combat Skyspot (1965-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Linebacker I (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Linebacker II (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Sunset (1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Phouc Tuong (Dogpatch), VNM Quang Tri, VNM RVN SVNAF Da Nang Airbase, VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), WSO/RIO Weapons Systems Officer/Radar Interecept Officer Rating: ★★ (2 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Aviation.USMC.Fighters, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Laotian Civil War.Aviation.FAC.Ravens, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Laotian Civil War.Aviation.USMC.Fighters

Description: As a 26-year old Marine radar intercept officer (RIO), Fleet Lentz flew 131 combat missions in the back seat of the supersonic F-4 B Phantom II during the wind-down of the Vietnam War. Overcoming military regulations, he and his fellow Marines at The Rose Garden (Royal Thai Air Base Nam Phong) kept sorely needed supplies moving in while moving combat troops out of Southeast Asia. His personal and accessible memoir describes how pilots and RIOs executed dangerous air-to-ground bombing missions in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos—quite different from the air-to-air warfare for which they had trained—and kept themselves mission-capable (and human) while surviving harsh circumstances.

Review: This book should actually have been called A Frontseat View of Nam Phong. The amount he wrote on flying and being in the air and in combat is miniscule - barely a footnote - when compared to his detailed rememberances of people, what they did at the bar, what he did as a building inspector on base, and details on scrounging for stuff at Cubi Point and elsewhere. But to really get a feel of what it was like to fly combat in Laos and Cambodia and both South and North Vietnam, you'd better get a different book because this one barely mentions any of that. Definitely a 2 star book simply because of the misleading title and description. If this was supposed to be a book about life at an Air Base, it'd be a 3 at least, but NOPE.

Books of 2023

Book 44 of 2023

Title: The Advisor: Kien Bing, South Vietnam 1969-1970 A Novel Authors: Peter Taylor Series: 1 of Vietnam 1969-1973 The Advisors ISBN: 9798483867159 Tags: Military Fiction, Military Intelligence, US USA MI Army Military Intelligence, US USA United States Army, VNM CIA Phung Hoang / Phoenix Program (1965-1972) (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975) Rating: ★★★ (3 Stars) Subject: Books.Fiction.Military.Vietnam, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Fiction

Description: The Advisor is a romantic War Story as told by Paul Tyler a young Military Intelligence Officer assigned to an experimental three-man District Advisory team in the Mekong Delta. The story takes place during the Vietnamization phase of the Vietnam War and follows Tyler as he works to develop his Vietnamese counterparts into a working and effective team.   During a chance meeting on a trip to Saigon he Is introduced to a young American Red Cross worker by a WAC Captain that Tyler had met during his Military Intelligence school. A deep and passionate relationship develops between the two young people. Their story is told through their love letters and through Paul’s occasional in-country trips to Saigon. The war stories are based on actual events that occurred during the Vietnam War.

Review: Meh. So much meh - don’t bother. 

Books of 2023

Book 43 of 2023

Title: Training the Bodes: Australian Army Advisors Training Cambodian Infantry Battalions - a Postscript to the Vietnam War Authors: Terry Smith ISBN: 9781925520828 Tags: A-37 Dragonfly, AC-119K Stinger, AC-130 Spectre, AUS ADF AA 198 Works Section, AUS ADF AA 6th Royal Australian Regiment - D Co., AUS ADF AA 6th Royal Australian Regiment - D Co. - 8 section, AUS ADF AA 6th Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), AUS ADF AA 8th Royal Australian Regiment (8RAR), AUS ADF AA Australian Army, AUS ADF AA General Ian Geddes, AUS ADF AA General Ian McNeill, AUS ADF AA RAAMC Royal Australian Army Medical Corps, AUS ADF Australian Defence Force, AUS Australia, AUS Prime Minister Sir William McMahon, FAC, FRA France, KHM Battambang Province, KHM Cambodia, KHM Cambodian Civil War (1967-1975), KHM Cambodian Incursion (1970) (Vietnam War), KHM FANK 116th Bn de Chasseurs (Cambodian Civil War), KHM FANK 164th Bn de Chasseurs (Cambodian Civil War), KHM FANK 194th Bn de Chasseurs - 2 Co. (Cambodian Civil War), KHM FANK 194th Bn de Chasseurs (Cambodian Civil War), KHM FANK 198th Bn de Chasseurs (Cambodian Civil War), KHM FANK 1st Marine Bn, KHM FANK 258th Bn de Chasseurs (Cambodian Civil War), KHM FANK 271st Bn de Chasseurs (Cambodian Civil War), KHM FANK 275th Bn de Chasseurs (Cambodian Civil War), KHM FANK 38th Brigade (Cambodian Civil War), KHM FANK 38th Infantry Brigade (Cambodian Civil War), KHM FANK 427th Bn de Chasseurs (Cambodian Civil War), KHM FANK 4th Bn de Chasseurs (Cambodian Civil War), KHM FANK 53rd Bn de Chasseurs (Cambodian Civil War), KHM FANK General Sak Sutsakhan (Cambodian Civil War), KHM FANK Khmer Army / Forces Armees Nationals Khmeres (1970-1975) (Cambodian Civil War), KHM General Lon Nol, KHM KAF Airfield Defense Bn, KHM KAF/AAK Khmer Air Force / Armee de l'Air Khmere (1971-1975) (Cambodian Civil War), KHM Khmer Rouge, KHM King & President Norodom Sihanouk, KHM Kompong Thum, KHM Lon Nol Line (Cambodian Civil War), KHM Operation Chenla I (1970) (Cambodian Civil War), KHM Operation Chenla II (1971) (Cambodian Civil War), KHM Phnom Penh, KHM Pol Pot / Saloth Sar, KHM Route 6, KHM US MDET Military Equipment Delivery Team (Cambodian Civil War), Medevac helicopter, Nungs, NZ New Zealand, NZ NZDF NZA New Zealand Army, NZ NZDF Royal New Zealand Defence Force, US CIA Central Intelligence Agency, US President Richard M. Nixon, US USA 196th Light Infantry Brigade, US USA 21st Infantry Regiment, US USA 7th Cavalry Regiment, US USA 7th Cavalry Regiment - 1/7, US USA 9th Cavalry Regiment, US USA 9th Cavalry Regiment - 1/9 - F Troop, US USA 9th Cavalry Regiment - 1/9 - Headhunters, US USA General John Cleland, US USA United States Army, US USA USSF 5th SFG, US USA USSF Green Berets, US USA USSF Special Forces, US USA USSF Team ODA-362, US USA USSF Team ODA-431, US USA USSF Team ODA-432, US USA USSF Team ODA-433, US USA USSF Team ODB-36, US USA USSF Team ODB-43, US USA USSF Team ODB-51, US USAF United States Air Force, US USN TF 77, US USN United States navy, VNM 1972 Easter Offensive / Nguyen Hue (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM ADF AA 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF) (Vietnam War), VNM ADF AAAG Australian Army Advisory Group Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM ADF AATTV Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM ADF AATTV MATT Mobile Advisory and Training Team 1 (Vietnam War), VNM ADF AATTV MATT Mobile Advisory and Training Team 2 (Vietnam War), VNM ADF Australian Logistics Support Group (Vietnam War), VNM ADF Australian Task Force (Vietnam War), VNM An Loc, VNM ANZAC 3rd Cav Regiment - 1/3 - B Sqd - 1st Troop (Vietnam War), VNM ANZAC 3rd Cav Regiment - 1/3 - B Sqd (Vietnam War), VNM ANZAC 3rd Cav Regiment - 1/3 (Vietnam War), VNM ANZAC 3rd Cav Regiment (Vietnam War), VNM ANZAC 4th RAR/NZ (Vietnam War), VNM Ap Suoi Nghe, VNM Ba Ria, VNM Battle of Long Tan (1966) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of the Flags - Dat Do (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Bien Hoa, VNM Bien Hoa Air Base (Vietnam War), VNM Binh Ba, VNM Binh Ba Rubber Plantation, VNM Binh Long Province, VNM Command and Control North/FOB-1 (Vietnam War), VNM Dat Do, VNM DRV NVA 205th Regional Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 207th Regional Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 33rd Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 33rd Regiment - 2/33, VNM DRV NVA 9th Division, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV VC 274th Regiment, VNM DRV VC 274th Regiment - 2/274, VNM DRV VC 274th Regiment - 3/274, VNM DRV VC 74th Artillery Bn, VNM DRV VC C3 Local Force Co, VNM DRV VC C41 Local Force Co, VNM DRV VC C5 Rear Services Group, VNM DRV VC D445 Bn, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM DRV VM Viet Minh, VNM Duc Thanh District, VNM Fish Hook, VNM FRA French Union (Colonial) Army (French Indochina War), VNM French Indochina War (1946-1954), VNM FSB Nui Nhon (Vietnam War), VNM Hoa Long, VNM III Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Khmer Krom, VNM Lang Phuoc Hai, VNM Long Binh Post (Vietnam War), VNM Long Dien, VNM Long Green, VNM Long Hai, VNM Long Hai - Hotel de la Piscine, VNM Long Tan Rubber Plantation, VNM Ngia Giou, VNM Nui Dat, VNM Nui Dien So, VNM Nui Dinh, VNM Nui Hon Thung, VNM Nui Nhon, VNM Nui Thi, VNM Nui Thi Vai, VNM Nui Toc Tien, VNM Nui Truong Phi, VNM NZDF 2nd NZATTV (Vietnam War), VNM NZDF NZATTV New Zealand Army Training Team Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Linebacker I (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Linebacker II (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Paris Peace Accords (1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Parrots Beak, VNM Phu My, VNM Phuoc Tinh, VNM Phuoc Tuy Province, VNM Provincial Route 44, VNM Route 15, VNM Route 2, VNM Route 327, VNM Route 328, VNM Route 44, VNM RVN ARVN 18th ID, VNM RVN ARVN 25th ID, VNM RVN ARVN 30th Ranger Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 33rd Ranger Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 38th Ranger Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 3rd Ranger Group, VNM RVN ARVN 46th Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 46th Regiment - 1/46, VNM RVN ARVN 48th Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 52nd Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 52nd Regiment - 2/52, VNM RVN ARVN 5th Ranger Group, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN CIDG Civilian Irregular Defense Group, VNM RVN ARVN PSDF People's Self Defense Force, VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF 15th RF Group - 3/15 (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF 15th RF Group (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF 302nd RF Bn (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF 47th RF Group - 3/47 (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF 47th RF Group (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF Regional Forces/Popular Forces (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF Xuyen Moc Reconnaissance Platoon (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN Vietnamese Rangers - Biet Dong Quan, VNM RVN RVNP Can Sat National Police, VNM RVN RVNP CSDB PRU Provincial Reconnaissance Units (Vietnam War), VNM RVN SVNAF South Vietnamese Air Force, VNM RVNP CSDB Can Sat Dac Biet Special Branch Police, VNM Song Ba Dap, VNM Song Dinh, VNM Song Rai Valley, VNM Suoi Chau Pha, VNM UITG Chi Lang Training Center (Vietnam War), VNM UITG Dong Ba Thin Training Center (Vietnam War), VNM UITG Long Hai Training Center - Security and Recon Co (Vietnam War), VNM UITG Long Hai Training Center (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US MACVSOG (1964-1972) (Vietnam War), VNM US USA USSF 3rd Mobile Strike Force (Vietnam War), VNM US USSF Mobile Strike Force (MIKE) (Vietnam War), VNM USA USARV UITG Individual Training Group (Vietnam War), VNM USA USARV United States Army Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM Van Kiep - ADF Jungle Warfare Training Centre (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), VNM Vinh Loi, VNM Vung Tau, VNM Vung Tau - Peter Badcoe Club, VNM Xa Long Hai, VNM Xuyen Moc Rating: ★★★★ (4 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Australia.Advisors, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Cambodian Civil War

Description: By the end of 1971, the hastily raised, poorly trained, and woefully led Cambodian army had suffered a string of defeats and heavy casualties inflicted by North Vietnamese army and Viet Cong units. With many of its best infantry battalions and much of its armour, transport and equipment destroyed, only three of its 15 brigade groups were militarily effective. In South Vietnam, America and its allies were in the process of withdrawing and handing back to the Vietnamese full responsibility for the conduct of the war. A small group of Australians, which never numbered more than 30 officers, warrant officers and non-commissioned officers of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, helped train 27 light infantry battalions of the Cambodian army in South Vietnam during 1972. This project was, according to one historical study, `a classic example of using special forces as a force multiplier', and had been `recognised as one of the most successful foreign internal defence missions of the Vietnam War'. The story of these few men is told against the background of the war in South Vietnam, and in particular Phuoc Tuy province, as both sides fought to secure villages and hamlets during 1972, before the Peace Accords being negotiated in Paris to end the war were signed. Training the Bodes is an interesting and valuable book that tells a moving story. The excerpts from letters and reports, and the photographs, are fascinating. It fills a small gap in Australia's military history.

Review: This was a really interesting book about a topic that many are unfamiliar with. After Lon Nols coup in Cambodia, the US Army and it's partners set about to create a modern, functional, Cambodian Army to fight the Khmer Rouge. - They failed. They failed disastrously. This book is about the aussies component to that training group, and is an interesting mix of both academic overview of the who, what, when, and where, along with the authors personal observations and letters home. The juxtaposition of these two elements is what really sets this book apart due to the absolute honesty in those letters and observations. How the academic aspect is a very traditional unit history, glowing with praise, and then you have the letters detailing just the opposite candidly. It's the letters that really help you to understand why the army failed. It talks about the lack of discipline, the graft, the corruption, and the lack of leadership present in the FANK units. You also get a real feel for what it was like for many of the Aussies who had been their previously in combat roles at Nui Dat and at the battle of Long Tan, who were now there again at the very end. While dry and repetitive at times, the book is a worthwhile addition to anyone's collection and it pairs nicely with "Alone in the Valley" by Lanigan about a US Green Beret attached to a FANK training team. Also anyone who served in Iraq or Afghanistan working with training those armies should read this to see how much has NOT changed in decades, and what lessons we still can't seem to learn.

Books of 2023

Book 42 of 2023

Title: Company Grade: Memoir of an Angry Skipper Authors: Henry J. Colavita ISBN: 9781555717827 Tags: A-1 Skyraider, AC-130 Spectre, B-52 Stratofortress, C-119 Flying Box Car, FAC, GER Berlin - Checkpoint Alpha, GER Berlin - Checkpoint Bravo, GER Berlin - Checkpoint Charlie, GER Berlin - East Berlin, GER Berlin - Friedrichstrasse, GER Berlin - West Berlin, GER Clayallee - US Command HQ, GER Drewitz, GER Helmstedt, GER USA USAB - Provost Marshal's Office, GER USA USAB United States Army Berlin, KOR Korea, KOR ROK Republic of Korea Army, KOR Yongson - USA Garrison, Law Enforcement, Military Police, PHL Philippines, PHL US USAF Clark Air Force Base, US DLI Defense Language Institute CA, US DOD Department of Defense, US DOD The Pentagon DC, US HI Diamond Head, US HI Hawaii, US HI Kolekole Pass, US HI National Memorial Cemetery Of The Pacific, US HI Nuaanu - Punchbowl, US HI Oahu, US HI Pearl Harbor, US President John F. Kennedy, US President John F. Kennedy Assassination - Dallas TX (1963), US President Lyndon B. Johnson, US President Ronald Reagan, US USA 19th Artillery Regiment, US USA 1st Cavalry Division, US USA 1st Cavalry Division - 1st Brigade, US USA 1st Cavalry Division - 8th Engineer Bn, US USA 20th Aerial Rocket Artillery Bn - 2/20 - Blue Max, US USA 25th ID, US USA 505th Infantry Regiment, US USA 505th Infantry Regiment - 1/505 - B Co., US USA 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, US USA 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment - 1st Airborne Battle Group, US USA 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment - 1st Airborne Battle Group - B Co., US USA 5th Cavalry Regiment, US USA 5th Cavalry Regiment - 2/5, US USA 82nd Airborne Division - All American, US USA 8th Army (EUSA), US USA 8th Cavalry Regiment, US USA 8th Cavalry Regiment - 2/8, US USA 8th Cavalry Regiment - 2/8 - C Co., US USA 8th Cavalry Regiment - 2/8 - D Co., US USA Army War College PA, US USA Camp Frank D. Merrill GA - Mountain Phase Ranger School, US USA Combat Trackers - K9, US USA Fort Belvoir VA, US USA Fort Belvoir VA - De Witt Army Hospital, US USA Fort Belvoir VA - Engineer Advanced Course, US USA Fort Belvoir VA - Engineer Basic Course, US USA Fort Belvoir VA - SERE Course, US USA Fort Belvoir VA - US Army Engineer Center and School, US USA Fort Benning GA, US USA Fort Benning GA - Airborne School, US USA Fort Benning GA - IOAC Infantry Officers Advanced Course, US USA Fort Benning GA - IOBC Infantry Officers Basic Course, US USA Fort Benning GA - ISCC Infantry School Communications Course, US USA Fort Benning GA - Ranger School, US USA Fort Benning GA - Ranger Training Center, US USA Fort Bragg NC, US USA Fort Bragg NC - MATA Military Assistance Training Advisor Course, US USA Fort Hamilton NY, US USA Fort Lewis WA, US USA Fort Lewis WA - Madigan Army Hospital, US USA Fort McNair DC, US USA Fort Mitchell AL - Fryar Drop Zone, US USA Fort Myer VA, US USA Fort Ruger HI, US USA Fort Shafter HI, US USA General Barry McCaffrey, US USA General Calvert P. Benedict, US USA General Creighton Abrams, US USA General Eugene A. Salet, US USA General John H Michaelis, US USA General Normal Schwarzkopf, US USA General Omar Bradley, US USA General William Westmoreland, US USA MDW Military District of Washington, US USA OCINFO Office of the Chief of Information, US USA OCPA Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, US USA Schofield Barracks HI, US USA United States Army, US USA USSF Green Berets, US USA USSF Special Forces, US USAF Eglin Air Force Base FL, US USAF United States Air Force, US USN United States navy, US USN USS Arizona (BB-39), US VA Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, US VA Norfolk, US VA Norfolk - Armed Forces Staff College, US VA Virginia, US VA VT Virgnia Tech University, USA 11th Air Assault Division (Test), USSR, VNM A Shau Valley, VNM An Khe, VNM An Khe - 1st Cavalry Division First Team Academy (Vietnam War), VNM Bien Hoa, VNM Binh Dinh Province, VNM Bong Son, VNM Chicken Valley, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV VC 95-C Regiment, VNM DRV VC COSVN Central Office for South Vietnam, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM Duc Co Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Barbara (Vietnam War), VNM Highway 1, VNM Ia Drang Valley, VNM II Corps (Vietnam War), VNM III Corps (Vietnam War), VNM IV Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Long Binh, VNM LZ Becky (Vietnam War), VNM LZ Carolyn (Vietnam War), VNM LZ Ike (Vietnam War), VNM LZ Joe (Vietnam War), VNM LZ Rita (Vietnam War), VNM LZ Sharon (Vietnam War), VNM Michelin Rubber Plantation, VNM Montagnards, VNM Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain), VNM Operation Arc Light (1965-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Masher/White Wing (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Ranch Hand (1962-1971) (Vietnam War), VNM Pleiku, VNM Pleiku Province (Gia Lai), VNM Quan Loi, VNM Quang Tri, VNM Qui Nhon, VNM RVN ARVN Airborne Division - 5th Bn, VNM RVN ARVN Airborne Division - 5th Bn - 51st Co, VNM RVN ARVN Airborne Division - 5th Bn - 52nd Co, VNM RVN ARVN Airborne Division - 5th Bn - 54th Co, VNM RVN ARVN Airborne Division - 6th Bn, VNM RVN ARVN Airborne Division - Su-Doan Nhay Du, VNM RVN ARVN Armor School - Thu Duc, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN Chieu Hoi Program/Force 66 - Luc Luong 66 (Vietnam War), VNM RVN SVNAF South Vietnamese Air Force, VNM Saigon, VNM Saigon - The King Bar, VNM Saigon - The Manor Advisory Quarters, VNM Saigon - Tu Do St, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base - ARVN Airborne School, VNM Thu Duc, VNM US Agent Orange (Vietnam War), VNM US MAAG Military Assistance Advisory Group Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Airborne Advisory Team 162, VNM US MACV Airborne Brigade Advisory Det., VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 67th Evacuation Hospital - Qui Nhon (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 85th Evacuation Hospital - Phu Bai (Vietnam War), VNM War Zone C (Vietnam War) Rating: ★★★★ (4 stars but should be 3.5!!) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ARVN.Airborne Division, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Advisor, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Infantry, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Cold War.Germany.Berlin, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.US.US Army.Military Police

Description: From an early age Henry "Rocky" Colavita dreamed of becoming an Army officer. And a policeman. He eventually did both. His engaging, often funny memoir covers the author's 20 year career in the U.S. Army, including multiple tours in Vietnam, and his subsequent 17 year career in law enforcement. Henry was born in New Jersey, raised in Hawaii for a time and grew up in Virginia where most of his schoolmates were Army brats. But his next door neighbor was a cop. The perfect situation for him to develop an affinity for service, both military and public. Wounded in Vietnam on his first tour, he returned for a second tour, this time as Infantry captain in command. He returned home, age 28, and continued his military career--including a stint at The Pentagon and in Berlin, eventually retiring in 1983 and beginning his second career--in law enforcement.

Review:  So while I gave it 4 stars, that’s only because I couldn’t give it 3.5 It’s not QUITE a 4 star book, and it definitely isn’t a 3 star. The book is really light on his time as an ARVN advisor to the Airborne unit, but there are a couple of good tidbits in it. Where the book really shines is his 2nd tour with the 1st Air Cav where he is able to really give you a sense of the who/what/where of what he experienced and the issues he faced. It then trails off again and gets light on things until his time in Germany, but even that is but a blip. You’ll get a good sense of what it was like for a career officer to juggle family and deployments and decisions on how to manage his career. You’ll get a good sense of growing up in HI on a military base. You’ll understand how he earned the nickname Capt Ambush. Beyond that.. meh. 

Books of 2023

Book 41 of 2023

Title: Stalking the Vietcong: Inside Operation Phoenix: A Personal Account Authors: Stuart A. Herrington ISBN: 9780307823809 Tags: A-1 Skyraider, AC-119G Shadow, Buddhism (Religion), Catholic, CHE Geneva Conference of 1954 (French Indochina War), CHE Switzerland, Counter-Terrorism, Interrogator, KHM Cambodia, KHM Cambodian Incursion (1970) (Vietnam War), LAO Lam Son 719 (1971) (Vietnam War), LAO Laos, Military Intelligence, SA-7 Strela SAM, US CIA Central Intelligence Agency, US President John F. Kennedy, US President Richard M. Nixon, US State Department, US State Department - Foreign Service Institute, US USA 25th ID, US USA Fort Benning GA, US USA Fort Benning GA - US Army Infantry School, US USA Fort Bliss TX, US USA Fort Bragg NC, US USA Fort Bragg NC - MATA Military Assistance Training Advisor Course, US USA Fort Holabird MD, US USA Fort Holabird MD - Tactical Intelligence Officers Basic Course, US USA General James Herbert, US USA General James Hollingsworth, US USA MI Army Military Intelligence, US USA United States Army, US USA USSF Green Berets, US USA USSF Special Forces, VNM 1968 Tet Offensive (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM 1972 Easter Offensive / Nguyen Hue (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM An Ninh, VNM Bao Cong, VNM Bao Trai, VNM Bao Trai - Chieu Hoi Center (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of An Loc (1972) (1972 Easter Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Quang Tri (1972) (1972 Easter Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Bien Hoa, VNM Bien Hoa - Corps Interrogation Center, VNM Bien Hoa - La Plage, VNM Cao Dai Religion, VNM CIA Phung Hoang / Phoenix Program (1965-1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Con Son Island Prison, VNM Cu Chi, VNM Dong Nai River, VNM DRV Ho Chi Minh, VNM DRV NVA 101st Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 24th Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 271st Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 271st Regiment - D8 Bn, VNM DRV NVA 271st Regiment - D8 Bn - C3 Co, VNM DRV NVA General Vo Nguyen Giap, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV VC C1 Duc Hoa Local Force Co, VNM DRV VC N-10 Sapper Bn, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM DRV VM Viet Minh, VNM Duc Hoa, VNM Duc Hue, VNM French Indochina War (1946-1954), VNM Ha Tinh, VNM Hau Nghia Province, VNM Hiep Hoa, VNM Highway 1, VNM Highway 13 - Thunder Road, VNM Ho Chi Minh Trail (Vietnam War), VNM III Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Loc Giang, VNM Loc Hung, VNM Muoi Lon, VNM Nghe An, VNM Parrots Beak, VNM Phu Hoa Corridor, VNM Phu Loi, VNM Phuoc Tuy Province, VNM Quang Tri, VNM Rach Nhum Creek, VNM Route 7, VNM Route 9, VNM RVN ARVN 25th ID, VNM RVN ARVN 3rd ID, VNM RVN ARVN 83rd Border Range Bn, VNM RVN ARVN Armed Propaganda Team, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN General Do Cao Tri, VNM RVN ARVN MSS Provincial Military Security Service, VNM RVN ARVN Province Intelligence Platoon, VNM RVN ARVN Provincial Interrogation Center, VNM RVN ARVN PSDF People's Self Defense Force, VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF 305th RF Bn (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF 58th RF Group (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF 773rd RF Co (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF Regional Forces/Popular Forces (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN Vietnamese Rangers - Biet Dong Quan, VNM RVN Chieu Hoi Program/Force 66 - Luc Luong 66 (Vietnam War), VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Diem, VNM RVN Nguyen Van Thieu, VNM RVN RVNP Can Sat National Police, VNM RVN RVNP CSDB PRU Provincial Reconnaissance Units (Vietnam War), VNM RVN SVNAF South Vietnamese Air Force, VNM RVNP CSDB Can Sat Dac Biet Special Branch Police, VNM Saigon, VNM Saigon - Bay Hien Intersection, VNM Saigon - Ben Thanh Marketplace, VNM Saigon - Brinks Hotel, VNM Saigon - Brinks Hotel Bombing (1964), VNM Saigon - Cach Mang Blvd, VNM Saigon - Cong Ly St, VNM Saigon - Gia Long St, VNM Saigon - Independence Palace, VNM Saigon - Le Loi Blvd, VNM Saigon - MACV Headquarters (Vietnam War), VNM Saigon - Massachusetts BOQ (Vietnam War), VNM Saigon - Ngoc Huong restaurant, VNM Saigon - Nguyen Hue St, VNM Saigon - Tu Do Club Bombing, VNM Saigon - Tu Do St, VNM Saigon - Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, VNM Tan My, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VNM Tay Ninh Province, VNM Trang Bang, VNM Trung Lap, VNM US MACV Advisory Team 43 (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV CORDS Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support (1967-1975) (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 3rd Field Hospital - Saigon (Vietnam War), VNM Vam Co Dong River, VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), VNM Vung Tao, VNM Vung Tao - Cyrno's Restaurant Rating: ★★★★★ (5 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ARVN.PRU, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Advisor, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Military Intelligence

Description: In a gripping memoir that reads like a spy novel, one man recounts his personal experience with Operation Phoenix, the program created to destroy the Vietcong’s shadow government, which thrived in the rural communities of South Vietnam.  

Stuart A. Herrington was an American intelligence advisor assigned to root out the enemy in the Hau Nghia province. His two-year mission to capture or kill Communist agents operating there was made all the more difficult by local officials who were reluctant to cooperate, villagers who were too scared to talk, and VC who would not go down without a fight. Herrington developed an unexpected but intense identification with the villagers in his jurisdiction–and learned the hard way that experiencing war was profoundly different from philosophizing about it in a seminar room.

Review: One of the best books on Vietnam that I've ever read. Published shortly after the fall of Saigon, the book has a timeliness that is readily apparent to the reader. The thoughts are fresh, the memories are crystal clear, and the painful mental wounds of the experience are sharp. This is a book about the Phoenix program that is 100% about everything BUT the phoenix program. There is very little mention of the PRU teams, and the author is brutally honest about his failure to actually get a phoenix program working in his area. Instead he uses a mix of other tools to attack the viet cong infrastructure and spends much of his time crafting his skills as an interrogator and on the military intelligence he is able to exploit from those discussions. The book is above all else, one of the best on ARVN/US relations at this level, on how to interrogate and exploit that info, and a really good look at the 72 Easter Offensive.

Books of 2023

Book 40 of 2023

Title: Special Men Authors: Dennis Foley ISBN: 9780804109154 Tags: Airborne, C-119 Flying Box Car, FAC, FRA ADT Groupement Mobile 100 (French Indochina War), FRA France, GER Bad Tolz, GER Bremerhaven, GER Germany, GER Kaiserslautern, GER Mannheim, GER USA 7th Army NCO Academy - Bad Tolz, IN Indiana, O-1 Bird Dog, SpecOps, THA Lob Buri, THA Thailand, THA USSF Special Forces Thailand (Vietnam War), US Medal Of Honor, US MSTS Military Sea Transportation Service, US MSTS USNS Geiger (T-AP-197), US MSTS USNS General Leroy Eltinge (T-AP-154), US President John F. Kennedy, US President John F. Kennedy Assassination - Dallas TX (1963), US President Lyndon B. Johnson, US USA 101st Airborne Division - 1st Brigade, US USA 101st Airborne Division - Screaming Eagles, US USA 117th Assault Helicopter Company, US USA 11th Air Assault Division, US USA 12th Aviation Group, US USA 173rd Airborne Brigade - Sky Soldiers, US USA 197th Infantry Brigade, US USA 1st Aviation Brigade, US USA 222nd Aviation Bn, US USA 25th ID, US USA 27th Infantry Regiment, US USA 27th Infantry Regiment - Wolfhound Raiders, US USA 29th Infantry Regiment, US USA 29th Infantry Regiment - 1/29, US USA 29th Infantry Regiment - 1/29 - C Co, US USA 2nd Army, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327 - Tiger Force Recon, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 2/327 - Hawk Recon, US USA 334th Armed Helicopter Company, US USA 39th Infantry Regiment, US USA 39th Infantry Regiment - 4/39, US USA 39th Infantry Regiment - 4/39 - D Co, US USA 502nd Infantry Regiment, US USA 502nd Infantry Regiment - 2/502, US USA 502nd Infantry Regiment - 2/502 - Recondos, US USA 51st Infantry Regiment, US USA 51st Infantry Regiment - F Co (LRP), US USA 557th Signal Co, US USA 75th Rangers, US USA 75th Rangers - A Co, US USA 7th Army, US USA 9th ID, US USA ANG Army National Guard, US USA ANG IN 151st Infantry Regiment, US USA ANG IN 151st Infantry Regiment - D Co (LRP), US USA Camp Frank D. Merrill GA - Mountain Phase Ranger School, US USA Col David Hackworth, US USA Col Lamar Welch, US USA Col Roger Donlon (MOH), US USA Fort Benning GA, US USA Fort Benning GA - Airborne School, US USA Fort Benning GA - Eubanks Field, US USA Fort Benning GA - Harmony Church, US USA Fort Benning GA - Higley Hill, US USA Fort Benning GA - IOAC Infantry Officers Advanced Course, US USA Fort Benning GA - Kelly Hill, US USA Fort Benning GA - OCS, US USA Fort Benning GA - Ranger School, US USA Fort Benning GA - Red Diamond Rd, US USA Fort Benning GA - Sand Hill, US USA Fort Dix NJ, US USA Fort Hood TX, US USA Fort Leavenworth KS, US USA Fort Leavenworth KS - Command and General Staff College, US USA Fort Leonard Wood MO, US USA Fort Mitchell AL - Fryar Drop Zone, US USA Fort Monmouth NJ, US USA General Charles Beauchamp, US USA General Samuel Lyman Atwood (SLA) Marshall, US USA General Willard Pearson, US USA General William Westmoreland, US USA LRRP Team (Vietnam War), US USA Lt James A. Gardner (MOH), US USA Rangers, US USA United States Army, US USA USSF 46th Special Forces Co, US USA USSF 5th SFG, US USA USSF Green Berets, US USA USSF Special Forces, US USA Walter Reed Hospital, US USAF Eglin Air Force Base FL, US USN United States Navy, US USN USS Maddox (DD-731), US USN USS Turner Joy (DD-951), US Ward Just (Journalist), USMC Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO), VNM 1966 NVA Monsoon Offensive (1966) (Vietnam War), VNM An Khe, VNM Bien Hoa, VNM Bien Hoa Air Base (Vietnam War), VNM Bu Gia Map, VNM Cam Ranh Bay, VNM Camp Lindsey-Lattin (Vietnam War), VNM Can Tho, VNM Central Highlands, VNM Cheo Reo, VNM Cu Chi, VNM Dak To, VNM Dak To Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM DRV NVA 24th Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 95th Regiment, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM French Indochina War (1946-1954), VNM Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964) (Vietnam War), VNM Highway 19, VNM II Corps (Vietnam War), VNM III Corps (Vietnam War), VNM IV Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Kontum, VNM Lai Khe, VNM Long Binh Post (Vietnam War), VNM Mang Yang Pass, VNM Mekong Delta, VNM Montagnards, VNM My Canh, VNM My Lai Massacre (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM My Phu, VNM Nhon Co, VNM Operation Hawthorne (1966) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Van Buren (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Phan Rang, VNM Phan Thiet, VNM Phu Yen Province, VNM Qui Nhon, VNM RVN VNN Republic of Vietnam Navy, VNM RVN VNN River Patrol Force, VNM RVN VNN RPF RAG River Assault Group, VNM Saigon, VNM Saigon - Rex Hotel, VNM South Tuy Beach, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base - Camp Alpha (Vietnam War), VNM Tonkin Gulf, VNM Tu Mo Rong, VNM Tuy Hoa, VNM US UH-1 Huey Firefly Missions (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 8th Field Hospital - Nha Trang (Vietnam War), VNM US USA II Field Force (1966-1971) (Vietnam War), VNM USA 101st Airborne - SERTS Screaming Eagle Replacement Training School (Vietnam War), VNM USA USARV United States Army Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM Van Loc, VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), VNM War Zone D (Vietnam War) Rating: ★★★★★ (5 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.LRRPs, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Infantry

Description: Throughout his several tours of Vietnam, Dennis Foley served with America's finest warriors -- men like David Hackworth, the nation's most decorated living soldier, and Jim Gardner, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for sacrificing his life so that his men might live. Now, in a tough, clear-eyed account, he recaptures the raw courage and sacrifice of American soldiers fighting a savage and desperate battle for survival.

Review: I have always loved Foley's fictional writing, it's really some of the best out there. But it took me this long to read his memoir of his time with Tiger Recon and his long career in the army. Let me just say this, Foley is very good at telling a story, crafting the narrative, and giving all the details to set the scene. He's an excellent writer, and the information he shares really puts you in the scene, each step of the way. Whether it's his time in Germany repairing radios and radars or with Tiger Force, he's not shy about letting the readers know just how far out of his element he was, and how shocked he was to actually succeed. He always feels like everyone else is better, has their shit together, and as he puts it, he's more Jell-O than rock. It's a great insight into training and being a trainer at Ft Benning, various locations in Vietnam, being a LRP, being in Tiger Force, and more. A really great book.

Books of 2023

Book 39 of 2023

Title: First In, Last Out: An American Paratrooper in Vietnam With the 101st and Vietnamese Airborne Authors: John Howard ISBN: 9780811766067 Tags: AC-130 Spectre, AUS ADF AA 1st Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), AUS ADF AA Australian Army, AUS ADF Australian Defence Force, AUS Australia, B-52 Stratofortress, C-130 Hercules, CHE Geneva Conference of 1954 (French Indochina War), Cold War (1946-1991), CUB Cuba, CUB Cuban Missile Crisis, FAC, FRA ADT French Ground Army (Armée de terre), FRA ADT Groupement Mobile 100 (French Indochina War), FRA France, GER Berlin, GER Berlin - Checkpoint Charlie, GER Berlin Wall, GER Germany, GER Munich, KHM Cambodia, KHM Cambodian Incursion (1970) (Vietnam War), KOR Blue House Raid (1968), KOR Camp Greaves, KOR Freedom Bridge, KOR Imjin River, KOR Korea, KOR Korean War (1950-1953), KOR Munsan, KOR President Park Chung Hee, KOR ROK Capital Tiger Division, KOR ROK KATUSA Korean Augmentation to the US Army, KOR ROK Republic of Korea Army, KOR ROKMC Republic Of Korea Marine Corps, KOR UN UNC United Nations Command, KOR US USFK US Forces Korea, LAO FSB 31 (Lam Son 719) (Vietnam War), LAO Lam Son 719 (1971) (Vietnam War), LAO Laos, M113 APC, O-2 Skymaster, PHL Philippines, PHL US USAF Clark Air Force Base, PRK Kim Il Sung, PRK KPA 124th Army Unit, PRK KPA North Korean People's Army, PRK North Korea, SA-2 Guideline SAM, SA-7 Strela SAM, SAM, THA Bangkok, THA Bangkok - Nick's #1 Hungarian Inn, THA RTAFB Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, THA Thailand, U-2, UN United Nations, US Ambassador Maxwell Taylor, US Martin Luther King Jr (Civil Rights Leader), US MOH Medal of Honor, US MSTS Military Sea Transportation Service, US MSTS USNS General Leroy Eltinge (T-AP-154), US OH Kent State University, US OH Kent State University Shootings (1970) (Vietnam War), US OH Ohio, US President John F. Kennedy, US President John F. Kennedy Assassination - Dallas TX (1963), US President Lyndon B. Johnson, US President Richard M. Nixon, US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, US USA 101st Airborne Division - 1st Brigade, US USA 101st Airborne Division - 3rd Brigade, US USA 101st Airborne Division - Screaming Eagles, US USA 173rd Airborne Brigade - Sky Soldiers, US USA 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, US USA 1st Cavalry Division, US USA 1st ID - 3rd Brigade, US USA 1st ID - Big Red One, US USA 23rd Infantry Regiment, US USA 23rd Infantry Regiment - 3/23, US USA 2nd ID, US USA 2nd Infantry Regiment, US USA 2nd Infantry Regiment - 2/2, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327 - A (ABU) Co, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327 - B Co, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327 - Tiger Force Recon, US USA 38th Infantry Regiment, US USA 38th Infantry Regiment - 2/38, US USA 502nd Aviation Bn, US USA 502nd Aviation Bn - A Co, US USA 502nd Infantry Regiment, US USA 502nd Infantry Regiment - 2/502, US USA 502nd Infantry Regiment - 2/502 - C Co, US USA 503rd Infantry Regiment, US USA 503rd Infantry Regiment - 1/503, US USA 503rd Infantry Regiment - 2/503, US USA 70th Engineer Bn, US USA 7th ID, US USA 8th Army, US USA 937th Engineer Group, US USA 9th Cavalry Regiment, US USA 9th Cavalry Regiment - 1/9 - F Troop, US USA 9th Cavalry Regiment - 1/9 - Headhunters, US USA Col David Hackworth, US USA Col Jack Jacobs (MOH), US USA Fort Benning GA, US USA Fort Benning GA - Airborne School, US USA Fort Benning GA - IOAC Infantry Officers Advanced Course, US USA Fort Benning GA - NCOCC NCO Candidate Course, US USA Fort Benning GA - Ranger School, US USA Fort Benning GA - US Army Infantry School, US USA Fort Campbell KY, US USA Fort Ord CA, US USA Fort Ord CA - USATC US Army Training Center, US USA General Barry McCaffrey, US USA General Charles H Bonesteel III, US USA General Creighton Abrams, US USA General Fred C. Weyand, US USA General Frederick Koresen, US USA General James A. Hollingsworth, US USA General John Guthrie, US USA General John Heintges, US USA General John McGiffert, US USA General John R. McGiffert, US USA General Normal Schwarzkopf, US USA General Ray Lynch, US USA General Thomas Kennan, US USA General Willard Pearson, US USA General William Coleman, US USA General William Enemark, US USA General William Westmoreland, US USA LRRP Team (Vietnam War), US USA United States Army, US USA USSF Green Berets, US USA USSF Special Forces, US USA USSF Team ODA-221, US USA USSF Team ODA-222, US USA Walter Reed Hospital, US USAF 21st TASS - Rash FAC, US USAF 21st TASS - Sundog FAC, US USAF United States Air Force, US USMC 3rd Marines - 3/3, US USMC United States Marine Corps, US USN NPS Naval Postgraduate School CA, US USN United States Navy, US USN USS Newport News (CA-148), US USN USS Pueblo (AGER 2), USMA West Point, USMA West Point - Camp Buckner, USSR, USSR 1st Secretary Nikita Khrushchev, USSR General Secretary of the Communist Party Leonid Brezhnev, VNM 1968 Tet Offensive (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM 1972 Easter Offensive / Nguyen Hue (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM An Khe, VNM An Loc, VNM An Ninh, VNM Assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem (1963) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of An Loc (1972) (1972 Easter Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Camp Holloway (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Dak To (1967) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Dien Bien Phu (1954) (French Indochina War), VNM Battle of Hue City (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Ia Drang Valley (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Saigon (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Tan Son Nhut (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Bien Hoa, VNM Binh Dinh Province, VNM Binh Long Province, VNM Buddhist Crisis (1963) (Vietnam War), VNM Cam Ranh Bay, VNM Camp Carroll (Vietnam War), VNM Camp Evans (Vietnam War), VNM Camp Holloway (Vietnam War), VNM Central Highlands, VNM Cham People, VNM Cholon, VNM Cholon - Binh Xuyen (Cholon Mafia), VNM Chon Thanh District, VNM Chu Lai, VNM Cua Viet River, VNM Cung Son Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM Da Nang, VNM Dak To, VNM Di An, VNM DMZ Demilitarized Zone - 17th Parallel (Vietnam War), VNM Dong Ba Thin, VNM Dong Ba Thin Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM Dong Tre, VNM Dong Tre Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM DRV Ho Chi Minh, VNM DRV NVA 320B Division, VNM DRV NVA 7th Division, VNM DRV NVA 95th Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 95th Regiment - 5th Bn, VNM DRV NVA Communist B2 Front, VNM DRV NVA General Tran Van Tra, VNM DRV NVA General Vo Nguyen Giap, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV Party Secretary Le Duan, VNM DRV Politburo Central Military Committee, VNM DRV VC 5th Division, VNM DRV VC 9th Division, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM DRV VM Viet Minh, VNM Emperor Minh Manh, VNM FRA 1st Vietnamese Paratroop Bn (French Indochina War), VNM FRA French Expeditionary Corps (French Indochina War), VNM French Indochina War (1946-1954), VNM FSB Mai Loc (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Sarge (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Than Khai (Vietnam War), VNM Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964) (Vietnam War), VNM Heiu Xuong District, VNM Highway 1, VNM Highway 13 - Thunder Road, VNM Highway 19, VNM Highway 9, VNM Hill 169, VNM Hill 65, VNM Hill 875, VNM Hue, VNM Hue - Le Huan St, VNM Hue - The Citadel, VNM I Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Ia Drang Valley, VNM II Corps (Vietnam War), VNM III Corps (Vietnam War), VNM IV Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Kontum, VNM Kontum Province, VNM Lai Khe, VNM Loc Ninh, VNM LZ Albany (Vietnam War), VNM LZ Sally (Vietnam War), VNM LZ X-Ray (Vietnam War), VNM Mekong Delta, VNM Montagnard, VNM My Canh, VNM My Chanh River, VNM My Lai, VNM My Lai Massacre (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM My Phu, VNM Nha Trang, VNM Nhon Co, VNM Ninh Thuan Province, VNM Operation Arc Light (1965-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Checkerboard (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Dong Tien (1970) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Flaming Dart (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Hump (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Lam Son 72 (1972) (1972 Easter Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Linebacker I (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Linebacker II (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation MacArthur (1967-1969) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Sayonara (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Silver Bayonet I (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Van Buren (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Phan Rang, VNM Phan Thiet, VNM Phu Bai, VNM Phu Sen, VNM Phu Yen Province, VNM Phung Ha, VNM Pleiku, VNM Quang Tri, VNM Quang Tri - Citadel, VNM Quang Tri Province, VNM Qui Nhon, VNM RVN ARVN 11th Airborne Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 15th Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 18th ID, VNM RVN ARVN 1st ID, VNM RVN ARVN 20th Tank Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 21st ID, VNM RVN ARVN 31st Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 3rd ID, VNM RVN ARVN 56th Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 5th Airborne Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 5th ID, VNM RVN ARVN 6th Airborne Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 8th Airborne Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 9th Airborne Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 9th ID, VNM RVN ARVN Airborne Division - Su-Doan Nhay Du, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN CIDG Civilian Irregular Defense Group, VNM RVN ARVN General Cao Van Vien, VNM RVN ARVN General Du Quoc Dong, VNM RVN ARVN General Hoang Xuan Lam, VNM RVN ARVN General Le Van Hung, VNM RVN ARVN General Ngo Quang Truong, VNM RVN ARVN General Nguyen Van Minh, VNM RVN ARVN General Vu Van Giai, VNM RVN Madame Nhu (Tran Le Xuan), VNM RVN Marines, VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Diem, VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Nhu, VNM RVN Nguyen Van Thieu, VNM RVN SVNAF Da Nang Airbase, VNM RVN SVNAF South Vietnamese Air Force, VNM Saigon, VNM Saigon - Missouri BOQ (Vietnam War), VNM Saigon - Pham Van Hai St, VNM Saigon - US Embassy (Vietnam War), VNM Srok Ton Cui, VNM Tan Khai, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base - Camp Alpha (Vietnam War), VNM Thach Han River, VNM Thanh Binh, VNM Thanh Hoi, VNM Tuy Hoa, VNM US MAAG Military Assistance Advisory Group Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV AAG Army Advisory Group (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV ADAT Advisory Team 162 (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV ADAT Airborne Division Assistance Team (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV BCAT Battalion Combat Assistance Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV DCAT Division Combat Asisstant Team (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV FRAC First Regional Assistance Command (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV TRAC Third Regional Assistance Command (Vietnam War), VNM US Project 100000 (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 3rd Field Hospital - Saigon (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 85th Evacuation Hospital - Phu Bai (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 8th Field Hospital - Nha Trang (Vietnam War), VNM USA TF Hackworth (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), VNM Vung Tau, VNM War Zone D (Vietnam War), VNM Windy Hill Rating: ★★★★ (4 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ARVN.Airborne Division, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.LRRPs, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Advisor, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Infantry

Description: Fresh out of West Point, John Howard arrived for his first tour in Vietnam in 1965, the first full year of escalation when U.S. troop levels increased to 184,000 from 23,000 the year before. When he returned for a second tour in 1972, troop strength stood at 24,000 and would dwindle to a mere 50 the following year. He thus participated in the very early and very late stages of American military involvement in the Vietnam War. His two tours—one as a platoon commander and member of an elite counterguerrilla force, the second as a senior advisor to the South Vietnamese—provide a fascinating lens through which to view not only one soldier’s experience in Vietnam, but also the country’s. **

Review:   Let me first say that I did enjoy this book - to a degree. That's why it gets 4 stars. But it's important to know that this is not a great book, which with the authors experiences, it really could have been. One of the biggest deficiencies is that he spends more time telling than showing. Good books of this genre give you a first hand view of what happened and what someone experienced. This book is very light on that, especially during his 1965 tour. It gets better with his Korean and Advisor experiences later on, but only just. Instead you get a lot of history of Vietnam, a lot of history of what happened, who went where, what they did. It's all very strategic and 1000 foot level when what this book is supposed to be is very in the weeds at the 1 foot personal experience level. This is a man who participated in a lot of intense operations, worked with incredible people like Foley and Hackworth, and was both a part of ABU and Tiger Recon with the 101st. But you never really get a feel for what it was like to be a member of either. You never get to experience a recon mission, though he was a part of many. You just know that x unit moved to y place, and then this is what happened / this was the outcome. 

You get a good overview of the battles, the war, and even a few of the people, but very little else from his time with the 101st. 

His time in Korea is a bit better and gives you a good understanding of what happened and some incidents and the people. Also his time as an Advisor is also more personal as well. So maybe it's just a memory thing and things from 72 are easily recalled vs 65. 

One thing you'll notice is a lot of ring knocking and naming of generals... so many generals. So just... be prepared for that.  

Overall though, a decent book... he needs to work on the tell vs show more than anything. Up next, going to read Foley's Special Men. I always loved Foley's fictional writing, so I have high hopes for his book about his time with Tiger Recon and other units. I have a feeling it's going to be a good compliment to this book. 

Books of 2023

Book 38 of 2023

Title: To Vietnam in Vain Authors: Edward A. Hagan ISBN: 9781476623689 Tags: US USA MI Army Military Intelligence, US USA United States Army, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF Regional Forces/Popular Forces (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975) Rating: ★ (1 Star) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ARVN, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Advisor

Description: American military advisors in South Vietnam came to know their allies personally—as few American soldiers could. In addition to fighting the Viet Cong, advisors engaged in community building projects and local government initiatives. They dealt firsthand with corrupt American and South Vietnamese bureaucracies. Not many advisors would have been surprised to learn that 105mm artillery shells were being sold on the black market to the Viet Cong. Not many were surprised by the North Vietnamese victory in 1975. This memoir of a U.S. Army intelligence officer focuses on the province advisors who worked with local militias that were often disparaged by American units. The author describes his year (1969-1970) as a U.S. advisor to the South Vietnamese Regional and Popular Forces in the Mekong Delta.

Review: If you want to know what it’s like to listen to an old man blather about his life, this book is for you! It’s a lot of blather, a lot of whining, a lot of crap about everything and anyone and everyone. He embodies the literal worst aspects of that really bad professor you had in college... which it turns out, is exactly what he is. You rarely get snippets of his time in vietnam, the snippets you do get aren’t really worth reading at all, and 90% of the book is about his life growing up irish in NY. The title, the cover, everything about this book is misleading and bullshit. 

AVOID

Books of 2023

Book 37 of 2023

Title: A Young Man in War: Vietnam Phoenix Advisor and a Survivor's Tale Authors: Paul C. Pritchard ISBN: 9781978398023 Tags: FAC, Interrogator, Military Intelligence, O-1 Bird Dog, TWN Beitou, TWN Taiwan, TWN Taiwan - China Palace Hotel, US CIA Central Intelligence Agency, US State Department, US USA 525th Military Intelligence Group, US USA 9th ID, US USA Fort Holabird MD, US USA Fort Holabird MD - Tactical Intelligence Officers Basic Course, US USA United States Army, US USA USSF 5th SFG, US USA USSF Green Berets, US USA USSF Special Forces, US USN PBR Patrol Boat River, US USN SEALS, US USN United States Navy, US USN USS Benewah (APB-35), US USO United Service Organizations, VNM 1968 Tet Offensive (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM An Giang, VNM Battle of Tan Son Nhut (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Bien Hoa, VNM Bien Hoa Air Base (Vietnam War), VNM Can Tho, VNM Chau Doc, VNM Chu Ba, VNM CIA Phung Hoang / Phoenix Program (1965-1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Cu Duc Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM Go Cong, VNM IV Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Mekong Delta, VNM My Tho, VNM Operation Ranch Hand (1962-1971) (Vietnam War), VNM Rach Gia, VNM Rung Sat Special Zone, VNM RVN ARVN 9th ID, VNM RVN ARVN 9th ID - Recon Co, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF Regional Forces/Popular Forces (Vietnam War), VNM RVN Nguyen Cao Ky, VNM RVN RVNP Can Sat National Police, VNM RVN RVNP CSDB PRU Provincial Reconnaissance Units (Vietnam War), VNM RVNP CSDB Can Sat Dac Biet Special Branch Police, VNM Sa Dec, VNM Saigon, VNM Saigon - Chinese Embassy, VNM Saigon - Phu Tho Racetrack, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VNM Tra Vinh, VNM U Dau, VNM US Agent Orange (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Team 19 (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV IV Corps Advisory Team (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US OSA Office of the Special Assistant to the Ambassador (State Department) (CIA) (Vietnam War), VNM USN MRF Mobile Riverine Force (Vietnam War), VNM USN TF 117 MRF Mobile Riverine Force (Vietnam War), VNM Vinh Binh, VNM Vinh Long Rating: ★★★ (3 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ARVN, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ARVN.PRU, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Advisor

Description: Upon his arrival in Vietnam, Lieutenant Paul Clement Pritchard found himself assigned to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam’s Four Corps as a military Advisor. From Four Corps, he was recruited into the Phoenix Program, which was designed to neutralize, capture, interrogate, and kill influential Viet Cong operatives. Pritchard saw horrors as both a military Advisor and a member of a Phoenix provincial reconnaissance unit. He saw violations of the Geneva Convention on both sides and watched as the military slowly ceded the Phoenix Program to government agencies. Throughout his ordeal, Pritchard wrote letters home—letters that gave no indication he’d held the limp body of a bloody baby in his arms, stepped in to prevent the torture of a young woman by his erstwhile allies, or endured sniper attacks and mortar fire. His letters offer a stark contrast to the reality he lived in—the humid, wet world of the Vietnam jungle, where death was an ever-present danger. A unique, candid, honest look at the Vietnam conflict from the ground level, "A Young Man in War" covers months in Pritchard’s life that are seared into his memory, no matter how much he’d like to forget them. **

Books of 2023

Book 36 of 2023

Title: Alone in the Valley: A Soldier's Journey in the Vietnam War Authors: George R. Lanigan ISBN: 9781518825378 Tags: AUS ADF AA Australian Army, AUS ADF AA SAS Special Air Service (ASAS), AUS ADF Australian Defence Force, AUS Australia, B-52 Stratofortress, Bolivia, Buddhism (Religion), C-119 Flying Box Car, C-123 Provider, Catholic, Che Guevara, Cold War (1946-1991), HUN Hungarian Revolution of 1956, HUN Hungary, KHM Cambodia, KHM Cambodian Army (Vietnam War), KHM Cambodian Civil War (1967-1975), KHM Dr Son Ngoc Thanh, KHM FANK Khmer Army / Forces Armees Nationals Khmeres (1970-1975) (Cambodian Civil War), KHM General Lon Nol, KHM Khmer Rouge, KHM Khmer Serei (Cambodia Civil War), KHM Prince Norodom Sihanouk, M-113 APC, Medevac helicopter, Nungs, OV-10 Bronco, PAN Chagres River, PAN Colon, PAN Panama, PAN USA Fort Sherman, PAN USA Fort Sherman - Jungle Operations Training Center, PAN USAF Howard Air Force Base, POW, Rangers, SpecOps, Tamara Bunker Bider (East German Guerilla/KGB), U-10 Helio Courier, US AK Alaska, US AK ALCAN highway, US AK Delta Junction, US AK Gulkana Glacier, US CIA Central Intelligence Agency, US George Peppard (Actor), US Lodge Act, US Martha Raye (Actress), US Medal Of Honor, US OH Kent State University, US OH Kent State University Shootings (1970) (Vietnam War), US OH Ohio, US President Richard M. Nixon, US Raymond Burr (Actor), US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, US USA 117th Assault Helicopter Company, US USA 117th Assault Helicopter Company - 2 Plt - Pink Panthers, US USA 75th Rangers, US USA 75th Rangers - P Co, US USA 75th Rangers - P Co - RT 1-6, US USA ANG Army National Guard, US USA Camp Mackall NC, US USA Col Lamar Welch, US USA Fort Benning GA, US USA Fort Bragg NC, US USA Fort Bragg NC - JFK Special Warfare Center / School, US USA Fort Bragg NC - Smoke Bomb Hill, US USA Fort Gordon GA, US USA Fort Gordon GA - Camp Crocket, US USA Fort Gordon GA - Range Road, US USA Fort Greely AK, US USA Fort Jackson SC, US USA Fort Lewis WA, US USA Fort Mitchell AL, US USA Fort Mitchell AL - Fryar Drop Zone, US USA Fort Wainwright AK, US USA Francis Marion (Swamp Fox), US USA General John L Throckmorton, US USA Major James N. Rowe, US USA NWTC Northern Warfare Training Center AK, US USA Sgt David Dolby (MOH), US USA SP4 Roy Burke (Ranger), US USA United States Army, US USA USSF 5th SFG, US USA USSF 6th SFG, US USA USSF 6th SFG - A Co, US USA USSF 7th SFG, US USA USSF Green Berets, US USA USSF Special Forces, US USA USSF Team ODA-442, US USA USSF Team ODB-36, US USA USSF Team ODB-43, US USAF Pope Air Force Base - NC, US USAF United States Air Force, US USN ASPB Assault Support Patrol Boat, US USN United States Navy, US USO United Service Organizations, VNM ADF AA 1st Australian Field Hospital - Vung Tau (Vietnam War), VNM ADF AA 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF) (Vietnam War), VNM ADF AA AATF Australian Army Training Team (Vietnam War), VNM Assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem (1963) (Vietnam War), VNM Ba Ria, VNM Bien Hoa, VNM Buddhist Crisis (1963) (Vietnam War), VNM Cam Ranh Bay, VNM Chi Lang, VNM CIA Air America (1950-1976) (Vietnam War), VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM Hill 282, VNM Hmong Meo Tribesmen, VNM Ho Chi Minh Trail (Vietnam War), VNM I Corps (Vietnam War), VNM III Corps (Vietnam War), VNM IV Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Long Hai, VNM Long Hai Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM Minh Dam Secret Zone, VNM My Lai Massacre (1968), VNM Nha Trang Air Base, VNM Nui Dat, VNM Operation Arc Light (1965-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Ivory Coast - Son Tay Raid (1970) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Ranch Hand (1962-1971) (Vietnam War), VNM Parrots Beak, VNM Phuoc Hai, VNM Phuoc Tuy Province, VNM Quang Tri Province, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN CIDG Civilian Irregular Defense Group, VNM RVN ARVN LLDB Luc Luong Dac Biet Special Forces, VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF Regional Forces/Popular Forces (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN Vietnamese Rangers - Biet Dong Quan, VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Diem, VNM RVN RVNP Can Sat National Police, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VNM Tay Ninh Province, VNM Tay Ninh West Air Base, VNM UITG Chi Lang Training Center (Vietnam War), VNM UITG Long Hai Training Center (Vietnam War), VNM US Agent Orange (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV IV Corps Advisory Team (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US USA USSF 3rd Mobile Strike Force (Vietnam War), VNM US USSF Mobile Strike Force (MIKE) (Vietnam War), VNM USA USARV UITG Individual Training Group (Vietnam War), VNM USA USARV United States Army Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM USN MRF Mobile Riverine Force (Vietnam War), VNM USN NATSB Ben Keo, VNM USN NATSB Go Dau Hau, VNM USN NATSB Naval Advanced Support Base, VNM USN TF 117 MRF Mobile Riverine Force (Vietnam War), VNM Vam Co Dong River, VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), VNM Vung Tau, VNM Xuyen Moc Rating: ★★★★ (4 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ARVN, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Australia, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Cambodian Civil War, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.Green Berets, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Advisor

Description: In 1968, George Lanigan leaves the University of Maryland and sets off on the journey of his life. He volunteers to serve his country in the Vietnam War and enlists in the army where he becomes an elite Special Forces advisor in a top-secret program. The United States is clandestinely training the Cambodian Army, Forces Armees Nationales Khmeres, and Lanigan is at the heart of the mission. In this personal memoir, LTC George R. Lanigan, USA (Retired), adapts his forty-year-old letters and correspondence to his parents into an emotionally compelling and suspenseful narrative that relates his daily life of survival and political tension. It's an inside, firsthand look at a rare, and previously classified, Vietnam War experience. But its scope reaches beyond the war itself and illuminates the realities soldiers face returning home, building a life, and even visiting war zones four decades later. Its openness and honesty will resonate with war veterans, their friends and family members, those suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, and people of all ages who are interested in American history. Readers will learn about war life, a volatile political environment, and how personal experiences weave together to create the person one eventually becomes.

Books of 2023

Book 35 of 2023

Title: The Frost Weeds: Vietnam: 1964-1965 Authors: James Oliveri ISBN: 9781555717612 Tags: A-1 Skyraiders AUS ADF Australian Defence Force AUS Australia B-57 Canberra Buddhism (Religion) C-123 Provider C-7 Caribou CH-34 Choctaw FRA France LAO Laos LAO Laotian Civil War (1959-1975) LAO Pathet Lao LAO Prime Minister Souvanna Phouma LAO Prince Souvanna Phouma LAO RLA 33rd Laotian Elephant Bn LAO RLA Royal Laotian Army LAO RLAF Royal Lao Air Force Nungs O-1 Bird Dog SpecOps U-1 Otter US Ambassador Maxwell Taylor US CIA Central Intelligence Agency US Medal Of Honor US President Lyndon B. Johnson US Raymond Burr (Actor) US USA 1st Cavalry Division US USA 86th Engineer Bn US USA Col Roger Donlon (MOH) US USA Fort Dix NJ US USA Fort Dix NJ - Intermediate Speed Radio Operators Course (ISROC) US USA General Paul D. Harkins US USA General William Westmoreland US USA United States Army US USA USSF 5th SFG US USA USSF 7th SFG US USA USSF Green Berets US USA USSF Special Forces US USA USSF Team A-113 US USA USSF Team A-323 US USA USSF Team A-726 US USMC 9th MEB US USMC United States Marine Corps US USN 7th Fleet US USN United States Navy US USN USS Maddox (DD-731) US USN USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) US USN USS Turner Joy (DD-951) US USO United Service Organizations VNM 1968 Tet Offensive (1968) (Vietnam War) VNM A Louie Airstrip VNM A Shau Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War) VNM A Shau Valley VNM AUS ADF Australian Army Training Team (Vietnam War) VNM Battle of Hue City (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War) VNM Battle of Nam Dong CIDG Camp (1964) (Vietnam War) VNM Cam Lo VNM Central Highlands VNM Cholon VNM Con Thien VNM Cua Viet VNM Da Lat VNM Da Nang VNM Da Nang - Red Beach Base Area (Vietnam War) VNM Da Nang Air Base VNM DMZ Demilitarized Zone - 17th Parallel (Vietnam War) VNM Dong Ap Bia VNM Dong Ha VNM Dong Hoi VNM Dong Nai River VNM DRV NVA Col Bui Tin (Engineer) VNM DRV NVA Col Dong Si Nguyen (Minister of Construction) VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army VNM DRV VC Viet Cong VNM FRA Felix Poilane (Plantation Owner) VNM Gio Linh VNM Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964) (Vietnam War) VNM Highway 1 VNM Highway 14 VNM Highway 548 VNM Highway 9 VNM Ho Chi Minh Trail (Vietnam War) VNM Hue VNM Hue - Business District VNM Hue - Capitol Building VNM Hue - Cercle Sportif VNM Hue - Duy Tan St VNM Hue - Hue Stadium VNM Hue - Hue University VNM Hue - Joan of Arc Cathedral VNM Hue - Le Loi St VNM Hue - Nguyen Hoang Bridge VNM Hue - Perfume River VNM Hue - Public Health and Hospital Complex VNM Hue - Tay Loc Airfield (Vietnam War) VNM Hue - The Citadel VNM Hue - Tran Cao Van St VNM Hue - Tran Hung Dao St VNM I Corps (Vietnam War) VNM Ia Drang Valley VNM III Corps (Vietnam War) VNM Lang Troi VNM Lang Vei VNM Lang Vei Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War) VNM Montagnard - Bru VNM Montagnards VNM Montagnards - Katu VNM Nam Dong VNM Nam Dong Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War) VNM Nha Trang VNM Operation Flaming Dart (1965) (Vietnam War) VNM Operation Ranch Hand (1962-1971) (Vietnam War) VNM Operation Rolling Thunder (1965-1968) (Vietnam War) VNM Phu Bai VNM Pleiku VNM Quang Tri VNM Quang Tri Province VNM Rao Lao River VNM Rao Quang River VNM Red River VNM RVN ARVN 1st ID VNM RVN ARVN 2nd Regiment VNM RVN ARVN 2nd Regiment - 3/2 VNM RVN ARVN 36th Ranger Bn VNM RVN ARVN 3rd Regiment VNM RVN ARVN 3rd Regiment - 3/3 VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam VNM RVN ARVN CIDG Civilian Irregular Defense Group VNM RVN ARVN General Nguyen Chanh Thi VNM RVN ARVN LLDB Luc Luong Dac Biet Special Forces VNM RVN ARVN MP Quan Canh Military Police VNM RVN ARVN Nam Dong CIDG Camp VNM RVN ARVN Vietnamese Rangers - Biet Dong Quan VNM RVN General Duonh Van Minh (Big Minh) VNM RVN Nguyen Cao Ky VNM RVN Nguyen Khanh VNM RVN RVNP Can Sat National Police VNM RVN SVNAF South Vietnamese Air Force VNM RVN Tran Van Huong VNM Saigon VNM Saigon - Brinks Hotel VNM Saigon - Brinks Hotel Bombing (1964) VNM Saigon - Capital Hotel VNM Saigon - Tu Do St (Rue Catinat) VNM Som Bai VNM Ta Bat VNM Ta Bat Airfield VNM Ta Rau VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base VNM Thua Thien Province VNM Tonkin Gulf VNM US Agent Orange (Vietnam War) VNM US MAAG Advisory Team 3 (Vietnam War) VNM US MAAG Military Assistance Advisory Group Vietnam (Vietnam War) VNM US MACV Advisory Team 3 (Vietnam War) VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War) VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War) VNM US USMC KSCB Khe Sanh Combat Base (Vietnam War) VNM US USSF Mobile Strike Force (MIKE) (Vietnam War) VNM Vietnam VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975) Rating: ★★★★★ (5 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ARVN, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.ARVN, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.Green Berets, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Advisor

Description: During the early years of the Vietnam War, a small group of American soldiers carried the fight to the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army, often under difficult circumstances. Their sacrifices generally went unrecognized and unappreciated by a mostly indifferent nation. But a massive influx of American troops would soon alter the entire nature and perception of the war. THE FROST WEEDS graphically describes the horror, the heroism and even the humor of the Vietnam experience while offering a far different perspective of the war than that epitomized by the larger conflict that followed. It is an astonishing account of a small U.S. military advisory team struggling to deal with a ruthless enemy and an often exasperating ally.

Review: This was an excellent book by an excellent author. He was able to craft a good narrative and understood pacing and flow which is rare for many of these books. The tales he told of the early years of the vietnam war, the 64/65 period, of what it was like at Ta Bat, A Shau, and Khe Sanh, his explorations of Hue, and the battle of Nam Dong were well done and gave you a really good sense of who was there, what happened, and what the experience was like being an Advisor radioman attached to an ARVN unit. 

Books of 2023

Book 34 of 2023

Title: Lost in Translation: Vietnam: A Combat Advisor's Story Authors: Martin Dockery ISBN: 9780891418085 Tags: Buddhism (Religion), Catholic, CHE Geneva Conference of 1954 (French Indochina War), CHE Switzerland, CHN China, CHN Hong Kong, CHN MSAR Macao Special Administrative Region, FRA France, GER Germany, GER Germany - Oberammergau, HKG Hong Kong, Interrogator, IRL Ireland, IRL Irish War for Independence (1919-1921), IRL President Eamon de Valera, KHM Angkor Temples, KHM Cambodia, PHL Baguio, PHL Camp John Hay, PHL Hukbalahap, PHL Manila, PHL Philippines, PHL US USAF Clark Air Force Base, US AIR Airlift International Airlines, US President John F. Kennedy, US President John F. Kennedy Assassination - Dallas TX (1963), US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, US USA 3rd Infantry Regiment - 1/3, US USA 3rd Infantry Regiment - 1/3 - B Co, US USA 3rd Infantry Regiment - The Old Guard, US USA Camp A P Hill VA, US USA Fort Benning GA, US USA Fort Bragg NC, US USA Fort Knox KY, US USA General Paul D. Harkins, US USA United States Army, US USN LCM-8 Mike Boat, US USN United States Navy, USN USS Iwo Jima (LPH-1), VNM 1968 Tet Offensive (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM AN Nhon Tay, VNM Assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem (1963) (Vietnam War), VNM Ba Chieu, VNM Bac Lieu, VNM Battle of Ap Bac (1963) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Dien Bien Phu (1954) (French Indochina War), VNM Ben Hai River, VNM Can Tho, VNM Cao Dai Religion, VNM Chau Doc, VNM Cholon, VNM Cholon - Truc St, VNM DMZ Demilitarized Zone - 17th Parallel (Vietnam War), VNM DRV Ho Chi Minh, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM DRV VM Viet Minh, VNM French Indochina War (1946-1954), VNM Go Noi, VNM Ha Tien, VNM Ho Chi Minh Trail (Vietnam War), VNM Hoa Hao Religion, VNM IV Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Kien-Giang Province, VNM Long Xuyen, VNM Mekong Delta, VNM Mekong River, VNM Montagnards, VNM My Tho, VNM Rach Gia, VNM RVN ARVN 21st ID, VNM RVN ARVN 33rd Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 33rd Regiment - 2/33, VNM RVN ARVN 7th ID, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN IV Corps, VNM RVN Chieu Hoi Program/Force 66 - Luc Luong 66 (Vietnam War), VNM RVN Kit Carson Scouts (Vietnam War), VNM RVN Madame Nhu (Tran Le Xuan), VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Diem, VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Nhu, VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Thuc, VNM RVN RVNP Can Sat National Police, VNM RVN VNN Republic of Vietnam Navy, VNM RVN VNN River Patrol Force, VNM RVN VNN RPF RAG River Assault Group, VNM RVNP CSDB Can Sat Dac Biet Special Branch Police, VNM Saigon, VNM Saigon - Caravelle Hotel, VNM Saigon - Cercle Sportif Saigonnais, VNM Saigon - Mai Lan Hotel, VNM Saigon - Rex Hotel, VNM Soc Trang, VNM South Vietnamese Coup (1963) (Vietnam War), VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VNM US Advisory Group (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV IV Corps Advisory Team (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975) Rating: ★★★ (3 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ARVN, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Advisor

Description: In September 1962, when Martin Dockery landed in Saigon, he was a young, determined, idealistic U.S. Army first lieutenant convinced of America’s imminent victory in Vietnam. While most of the twelve thousand U.S. military advisors in-country at the time filled support positions in Saigon and other major cities, Dockery was one of a handful of advisors assigned to Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) combat units. For eight months Dockery lived and fought in the heart of the Mekong Delta with an ARVN infantry battalion on missions and operations that often lasted several days. And for most of that time, whether tramping through the steaming, leech-infested jungle, hiking across canals, or engaging in sudden firefights, Dockery was the only American soldier with the unit. Dockery’s solitary assignment with ARVN during the infancy of U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia afforded him an understanding of Vietnam far more profound than most other Americans. Lost in Translation is his riveting account of the largely overlooked role of American combat advisors in the war. As he vividly evokes the sounds, smells, and vistas of the country and its people, Dockery depicts an army poorly trained, incompetent, and unwilling to fight for a government every bit as corrupt as that of the French colonial empire it replaced. Yet even worse than his daily fare of isolation, frustration, and danger was Dockery’s growing conviction that the advisory program was doomed. Though these dedicated, highly motivated advisors would do their best and persevere under the most trying circumstances, they would not succeed. The author’s eyewitness testimony provides inescapable evidence that as early as 1962 the writing was already on the wall concerning the outcome of the Vietnam War. Although it would take U.S. leaders more than a decade to divine what the young officer learned in a single year, Dockery’s personal and penetrating analysis of the war—which he presented in a lecture at a Special Forces facility in Germany one week after his tour in Vietnam ended—proved chillingly accurate. Those who send soldiers to war should consider the realities and truths within these pages.

Books of 2023

Book 33 of 2023

Title: Combat Recon Authors: Robert D. Parrish ISBN: 9780312927134 Tags: A-1 Skyraiders, AC-47 Spooky, B-52 Stratofortress, Dust off, F-4 Phantom II, FAC, Medevac helicopter, Nungs, O-1 Bird Dog, Rangers, US USA 14th Infantry Regiment, US USA 14th Infantry Regiment - 2/14, US USA 14th Infantry Regiment - 2/14 - A Co, US USA 14th Infantry Regiment - 2/14 - B Co, US USA 1st ID, US USA 25th ID, US USA ASA Army Security Agency, US USA LRRP Team (Vietnam War), US USA United States Army, US USMC United States Marine Corps, USN LCM-8 Mike Boat, VNM 1968 Tet Offensive (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM An My, VNM An Son, VNM Ap Dong, VNM Ap Nha Viec, VNM Ba Lua River, VNM Ban Me Thuot, VNM Battle of Saigon (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Bien Hoa, VNM Binh Duong Province, VNM Binh Long Province, VNM Bo Duc, VNM Bung, VNM Chon Thanh, VNM Cu Chi, VNM DRV NVA 33rd Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 33rd Regiment - 1/33, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV VC 271st Regiment, VNM DRV VC 272nd Regiment, VNM DRV VC 273rd Regiment, VNM DRV VC 2nd Dong Nai Regiment, VNM DRV VC 2nd Dong Nai Regiment - 2nd Bn, VNM DRV VC 95-C Regiment, VNM DRV VC 9th Division, VNM DRV VC Phu Loi Bn, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM Go Chua, VNM Hau Nghia, VNM Highway 13, VNM Highway 21, VNM Highway 8-A, VNM III Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Iron Triangle (Vietnam War), VNM Lai Khe, VNM Lai Khe - Claymore Corners (Vietnam War), VNM Lam Son, VNM Lam Son - MAT-70 Gosney Compound (Vietnam War), VNM Lam Son Secret Zone (Vietnam War), VNM LBJ Long Binh Jail - USARVIS US Army Vietnam Installation Stockade (Vietnam War), VNM Loc Ninh, VNM Long Binh Post (Vietnam War), VNM Nha Trang, VNM Operation Arc Light (1965-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Paris Tan Quy, VNM Phu Cuong, VNM Phu Hoa, VNM Phu Hoa Dong, VNM Phu Huu, VNM Phu Loi, VNM Phu Van, VNM Phuoc Long Province, VNM Rach Tra, VNM RVN ARVN 1st Armored Cavalry Sqd, VNM RVN ARVN 5th ID, VNM RVN ARVN 5th ID - 5th Recon Co., VNM RVN ARVN 5th ID - G-2 Recondo Co, VNM RVN ARVN 7th Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 7th Regiment - 1/7, VNM RVN ARVN 7th Regiment - 3/7, VNM RVN ARVN 7th Regiment - 3/7 - 10th Co, VNM RVN ARVN 7th Regiment - 3/7 - 11th Co, VNM RVN ARVN 7th Regiment - 3/7 - 9th Co, VNM RVN ARVN 7th Regiment - 4/7, VNM RVN ARVN 8th Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 8th Regiment - 1/8, VNM RVN ARVN 8th Regiment - 4/8, VNM RVN ARVN 9th Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 9th Regiment - 3/9, VNM RVN ARVN An Son Camp, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN Paris Tan Quy Camp, VNM RVN ARVN Phu Hoa Compound, VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF Regional Forces/Popular Forces (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN Tan Thanh Dong Camp, VNM RVN ARVN Vietnamese Rangers - Biet Dong Quan, VNM RVN Chieu Hoi Program/Force 66 - Luc Luong 66 (Vietnam War), VNM RVN Kit Carson Scouts (Vietnam War), VNM RVN Nguyen Van Thieu, VNM RVN SVNAF South Vietnamese Air Force, VNM RVN VNN Republic of Vietnam Navy, VNM RVN VNN River Patrol Force, VNM RVN VNN RPF RAG River Assault Group, VNM Saigon River, VNM Tam Ne, VNM Tan Hoa, VNM Tan Thanh Dong, VNM The Hook (Vietnam War), VNM Thi Tinh Stream, VNM US MACV Advisory Team 70 (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV CORDS Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support (1967-1975) (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US UH-1 Huey Firefly Missions (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 93rd Evacuation Hospital - Long Binh (Vietnam War), VNM US USA Phu Loi Air Base (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975) Rating: ★★★★ (4 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ARVN, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.ARVN, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Advisor

Description: In 1968, Parrish became a legend among the Vietnamese troops he was sent to train. From setting up ambushes to dropping grenades from the back of a plane to plunging into one ground fight after another, he took extraordinary chances and broke every rule in the book to wage a war few other Americans dared. "A dead honest, often riveting memoir".--Kirkus. Photographs. Martin's.

Review: Let me start by saying this was a really good book, and I'm sorry that we never got a follow up of his time with an Army unit. Well written, engaging, and informative, it was a nice complement to Combat Advisor by Carl Farren.