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Books to read if you're planning a vacation in "vietnam", sorted by average review score:
A World of Hurt: Between Innocence & Arrogance in Vietnam
Published in Paperback by Greenleaf Book Group (April, 2000)
Authors: Mary Reynolds Powell and Denny Wendell
Average review score:

A World of Hurt.....
I met Mary prior to my shipping out to the Gulf War, she told me that she was working on a book about her experiences in the Vietnam War, and also interviewing those that she served with. When the book finally came out I bought the book right away. Upon doing this, I could'nt put it down, I completed it in 2 days. The book had me laughing and on the verge of tears. Many books have been written from the eyes of a men serving in war, but too few have been written about a womens experience in that same war. I have to say her book was easy to read and understand, but at the same time conveys her feelings and alot of the frustration she felt durin her tour in Vietnam. I have to highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to see the war thru the eyes of a Vietnam nurse, or any women serving in a war zone. To all that served with honor in all wars including the one we are now engaged in, May God Bless you all and keep you safe, and also your loved ones.

Memories, nightmares, and remembrance
A World of Hurt by Mary Reynolds Powell helps ease the pain I have felt for the past 29 years. I served at the 24th Evac Hospital as an Internist on the medical wards (5-10)in 1971-72. I spent a total of 5 years in the army before I could face leaving the haunting memories of that "war" behind me. The book brings back so much to me and has helped me realize that I am not alone in these feelings. She writes from the heart and you feel what she felt, and you know the hurt that lasts a life time. I thank her for writing this book and recommend it to anyone who was in Vietnam and to all those who want to understand the horror of war and the helpless feeling and anguish of youthful death. This book is therapeutic to so many of us who served and have kept the pain internally and have cried in silence and in the darkness. I thank you for this book for it is a gift to all eho suffered. I can no longer remain anonymous.

A World of Hurt
Mary Reynals Powell's book, A World of Hurt, allows you to experience the Vietnam War without having to really go there. She recounts the tragedy of Vietnam and the ludicrousness of the military. The book speaks about the personal experiences of seven individuals. After reading this book, the reader will have a greater understanding of the individuals that were there and the setting they were placed in. Read it.

Evening of Pale Sunshine
Published in Mass Market Paperback by KLM LiIterary Services (01 August, 1999)
Author: Ken Miller
Average review score:

EVENING OF PALE SUNSHINE by Ken Miller
EVENING OF PALE SUNSHINE, WRITTEN BY KEN MILLER, WILL CAPTURE YOUR INTEREST AT ONCE. THE PLOT ENCOURAGES A LARGE RANGE OF EMOTIONS IN THE READER. LOVE, DANGER, COMPASSION ARE CLEVERLY WOVEN THOUGHOUT THE STORY.YOU READ ABOUT THE HORRORS OF WAR AND ANGRY MEN WHO CONTINUE TO TORTURE OLD MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN.THE MAIN CHARACTER, AN AMERICAN OFFICER, FALLS DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH A BEAUTIFUL FRENCH-VIETNAMESE WOMAN. HE MUST FIGHT TO FIND HER AFTER SHE IS KIDNAPED. HE ASSEMBLES A MOTLEY GROUP CONSISTING OF A LEGLESS BEGGAR, A LITTLE ORPHAN GIRL AND
AN ENEMY SPY TO HELP HIM WITH THE RESCUE...KEN MILLER IS A POTENT WRITER. HE IS A TALENTED WORDSMITH AND DRAWS ON A LIFETIME OF TRAVEL AND EXPERIENCES. DON'T MISS THIS ONE. NOT A MAN'S BOOK, NOT A WOMEN'S BOOK, BUT A BOOK THAT EVERYONE WILL ENJOY. I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. I LOVED AND LIVED THE ENTIRE STORY.

Great Evening
I highly recommend this book! Evening of Pale Sunshine is a compelling love story mixed with actual accounts of the Vietnam War, which reveals the true hardships endured by the people who lived through it. This novel truly leaves an indelible impression.

Evening of Pale Sunshine
A fascinating story of love and adventure in a foreign land. Reminds me of the novel, Sand Pebbles, in its historical significance, character development and emotional intensity. I look forward to this author's next book.

The Last Hookers
Published in Paperback by 1stBooks Library (October, 2001)
Authors: Carle E. Dunn and William Atkinson
Average review score:

A compelling look inside the Vietnam War
The Last Hookers provides us with a compelling inside look into the historical facts that shaped the Vietnam War (going all the way back to the earliest events in Europe and WW II). Colonel Dunn has truly authored a comprehensive, well written and definitive war story. The story details not only the politics involved behind the scenes, but how families from all sides were affected and coped with the strain and tragedy of the war.

While this is a work of fiction the historical facts woven throughout the story really bring the characters to life. This realistic book was a thoroughly enjoyable read that gave me insights into the events leading up to and including the war itself that I had not even considered before.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is even remotely interested in the Vietnam War! You will come away with a much deeper understanding of the conflict and respect for those individuals and their families who were directly involved. Great stuff!

The Last Hookers
Carle E. Dunn has done the hookers and anyone who is interested in what really happened in Vietnam a great service in pointing out the good and the bad, the brave and not so brave, the strife and the glory. Having "been there, done that", the book brings out the history, the fights, the family of yesteryear long buried. It should not, for our brave who have given their all should not be forgotten. This book brings it well into the fore-front.

Carle clearly separates a bad war from the good warriors who faught it. The Last Hookers suggest a much more positive view of not just the outcome of the war, but also of American morale, competence, and performance. A must read.

Ex Hooker, (Recovery)

The Last Hookers
As a Flight Engineer with the 362Avn.Co. and having served under Col. Dunn I could not be more proud. After reading The Last Hookers I can honestly say I felt pride for the job we did in Vietnam. If anyone wants to know what Vietnam was like this is the book to read.

Summons of the trumpet : U.S.-Vietnam in perspective
Published in Unknown Binding by Presidio Press ()
Author: Dave Richard Palmer
Average review score:

Very Good Overview
I was looking for a good overview book of the Vietnam War and this really fit the bill. The author put together a well thought out, easy to read and well-written book that does a good job of giving the reader the high points. The author was a solder in the combat and spent a number of years in the military so he has an authoritative position to speak from. He does a great job of keeping the book away from being overly laden with military jargon or the Rambo style of combat writing. The book is focused on the American effort and thus skims the pre U.S. troop entry into the war. If you are looking for a deeper history on the start of the war with the French or the overall American involvement in Asia then this book will disappoint.

The treatment he gave to the major battles was good. He presented an easy to follow account of the battle, what lead up to it and the outcome. He also touched on some of what was happening back home with the politics, but only briefly. I think the most interesting parts of the book for me was the details of the air war, more specifically how the bombing kept escalating and then the final bombing push by Nixon. My only complaint with the book is that it was an overview that was a bit too light on the facts for me. The book was only 270 pages long, and book size do not necessary determine quality, this book could have been a little bit more in-depth. It seemed to me that to get a better understanding a few more pages could have been added without the overview turning into a in depth study.

The best and most comprehensive book on the Vietnam War
This is not a picture book or a "....I been there" book. Objectively and carefully details the war step by step. By presenting the facts, Palmer allows you to decide....but that is not his goal. Clearly written to give the reader a non-partisan look from the first decisive battle (Ia Drang), to our continued efforts to support the South Vietnamese with U.S. airpower. Points out that TET was a hard fought win on the field for the Americans, but allows us to see the fatal political damage it inflicted on our leadership -- political and military, thus the "turning point." Not as detailed as Karnow and does not go as far back in history, but gives us a definitive look at the use of our military and its new hardware. If there is one book that is a must for a Vietnam War Collection, this is it....how we got there and why we left.

Excellent account of the political problems in vietnam!
I don't read books hardly ever, but we read this for a military history class, and I finished it in 2 days. This book gave me new insight into a battle I knew nothing about..I had always heard we lost the war, which I took as a military loss. But, after reading this book, I believe we totally won militarily, but lost the war politically. It's hard to imagine how many people are without a brother, father, or husband because our government couldn't make one intelligent decision!!..Read this book and you will see it from someone who was there, not some historian who thinks he really knows what happened.

Wings of the Eagle: A Kingsmen's Story
Published in Paperback by Ivy Books (May, 1994)
Author: William T. Grant
Average review score:

Great Book ! ! !
Of all the first account (non-fiction) books I've read about Viet Nam, this has to be one of the best. I've read this three or four times and have enjoyed it every time. It is well written and really communicates the shear terror, humor, friendships, fealt by those who served in VN. I wish I had been there with these people.

I also highly reccomend the books by the Lurps he flew: Linderer, Chambers, Burford (?), and others.

Excellent Story, Excellent Book
This book is an incredible story that has everything. It was like sitting down and listening to a great war hero tell about his experiences and war stories from back in the day. I simply could not put the book down, it kept my interest throughout. This is not ficion which appeals to me because this actually happened, and those people really exist. I would love to have met the people that were spoken of in this book. I read it for the first time while I was on a one year tour of S. Korea in '94. I was a crewmember for the OV-1D Mohawk, so this type of book was right up my ally. In fact I liked the book so much that I told all of my friends about it and they all wanted to borrow the book. I have never seen the book since the day I lent it out. The author really did a great job.

Wings of the Eagle : A Kingsmen's Story
One of the best books on Viet Nam that I have read. The first person account from a young and inexperienced helicopter pilot was captivating and the book was hard to put down. The author's ability to capture his fears and concerns while vividly describing the missions he flew is unsurpassed. I especially enjoyed the author's perception of his fellow warriors and his ability to bring every thing together. I felt like I was there. A great read!

Chickenhawk: Back in the World: Life After Vietnam
Published in Hardcover by Viking Press (March, 1993)
Author: Robert C. Mason
Average review score:

Chickenhawk
I have read this book three times. I know what an extraordinary story this is and have tried to turn others on to it.
Bob Mason's transformation from eager pilot trainee to jaded combat veteran/burnout, while probably not anymore remarkable a story than any other pilot's is well written and that is what makes it great! After reading the book I felt as though I know Bob Mason. Not a bad thing.
When Mason describes the deck inside the chopper,covered in blood you can almost smell it.
Serious life and death stuff with some of the funniest stories of human screw ups wrapped up in a truly memorable account of one
helluva chopper pilots' experience in Vietnam.
It's like I say:" 'Chickenhawk' is the best damn war movie they never made!"

Still great after 15 years!
I first bought and read Mason's book Chickenhawk in the mid-eighties. I recently got the urge to reread a number of 'Nam books, so I bought a new copy. Keeping in mind that the war in Vietnam was ever-changing, and that each time period made for a different environment, Mason gives a good account of the early period of the war. This is one of maybe the three or four best books written on the vietnam experience or, for that matter, combat flying. I recommend it highly.

A response to the Kirkus Review of this book.
While not as action-packed as Mason's first book, Chickenhawk, this sequel is still a fine read. The Kirkus Review calls the book "flat-footed." Before I read this book, I probably would not have been surprised to hear that the sequel to what is probably my favorite book of all time does not live up to the first installment. Chickenhawk is mostly a war story, rich in detail and technical information about the helicopters Mason flew. I am fascinated with helicopters and that is probably why I like Chickenhawk so much. I approached Back In The World with skepticism. I doubted that it had any chance to be as interesting as Mason's first book. But as a fan of Chickenhawk, I was happy to discover that Back To The World does not really try to stand by itself. In many ways, it is just the story of how Chickenhawk was written. It is the story behind the story.

The Kirkus Review makes it sound as though this book is dull, and belittles the significance of Mason's incarceration and his description of the way Chickenhawk was recieved by the public. Personally, I thought Mason's imprisonment was conveyed in a style reminiscent of Henri Charrier's Papillon, another of my favorites.

The point is, it is impossible to fully understand or appreciate Chickenhawk as a description of the Vietnam Experience without reading this book. If you liked Chickenhawk, this is a must-read.

Clashes: Air Combat over North Vietnam 1965-1972
Published in Hardcover by United States Naval Inst. (June, 1997)
Author: Marshall L., III Michel
Average review score:

One of the best books on SEA air combat
This is the best book on air combat in SEA during the VietNam War that I've ever seen (and I've seen a few). Michel mixes discussion at the strategic level (the decisions about what targets to hit and how hard)with the actual pilot-level action that occurred. Mr. Michel unashamedly approaches the two disparate theories held by the USAF and the USN in how to handle air-to-air combat and strike mission planning. The USAF saw the air-to-air loss rates as a problem with the technology. The USN saw the loss rates as a problem with pilot training. Not surprisingly, the USN loss ratios improved dramatically a year after the creation of its TopGun air-to-air combat academy, whereas the USAF saw only a minimal improvement in its missile technology.

One interesting point is this: even though both the USAF and the USN flew the F-4 Phantom, the Navy missiles wouldn't work on the USAF planes because of a difference in the launch rails. The problem was in the way that the Sidewinder seeker was cooled prior to launch. The Navy took one approach to solve the problem and the USAF took another. The Navy did indeed have a better missile, and when one USAF wing commander demanded that he be supplied with Navy Sidewinders for air-to-air combat, he was severely disappointed to find out that he couldn't have them due to disparate technologies.

This isn't a "There I was at 20,000 feet.." type of book. Its more of a "Oyster Flight was on BarCap at 20,000 feet on Route Package VI when Red Crown vectored them to a pair of MiG-21s launching from Phuc Yen..." type of book. Still, it is very exciting reading for avaition enthusiasts and air combat students. There is a careful analysis of each engagement and diagrams are included to illustrate typical strike formations and ECM coverage zones. Very well done.

Good on the "bad guys" as well.
Michell not only covers the US effort, he also reports on what the North Vietnamese did. Though this story is not part of his main narrative, he shows that the NVN Air Force fought hard, learned from their mistakes, and tried to make the best use possible from their MiGs and SAMs. Two points Michell never makes : first, any NVN pilot who successfully bailed out would land in his home country and would be able to get back into a cockpit; US pilots could only do so if they were rescued, a very complex operation that might involve additional losses. Second, if any NVN pilot did decide to go beyond the GCI-controlled airspace, they might be tempted to defect. Possible? Couldn't rule it out : NVN ground troops defected, and a couple of North Korean pilots have done so over the years. This book is highly recommended not only for those interested in the Vietnam War, but also those interested in the development of aerial tactics and weaponry.

"Clashes" - an engrossing chronicle
In about 300 pages, "Clashes" packs an engrossing account of air-to-air combat during the Vietnam War. This detailed, analytical chronicle of the air war from 1965 to 1972 has the vividness of a first person narrative. Other pluses include a good index, glossary, bibliography, and clear diagrams and charts.

This book explodes the notion that U.S. pilots' woes over the skies of Vietnam stemmed from political meddling from Washington. Such meddling existed and caused confusion, but Mitchel demonstrates that the big problems were of the military's own making:

* Poor weapons. The story of the sad performance of the Vietnam War era Sidewinder and Sparrow air-to-air missiles is well known. Mitchel's depiction of these failures in scores of air-to-air encounters makes a poignant effect of the reader. * Insufficient training. To meet manpower requirements, the Air Force, according to Mitchel, cut back on air-to-air training and lowered standards. * Improper tactics. Mitchel takes the Air Force to task for clinging to the "fluid four" fighter formation, even in the face of evidence that this formation put U.S. pilots at a severe tactical disadvantage. The Navy's "loose deuce" fighter formation was rejected...because it was a Navy fighter formation.

Such a short summary does "Clashes" an injustice. Like other good military histories, this book leaves the reader convinced that courage and suppleness of mind and body are a warrior's most important weapons. I recommend "Clashes" to fellow military history buffs. My one "picknit" is that Mitchel does not identify the pilots in the numerous air-to-air encounters by name.

Grief Denied : A Vietnam Widow's Story
Published in Paperback by Catalyst For Change (11 November, 1999)
Author: Pauline Laurent
Average review score:

"Grief Denied: A Vietnam Widow's Story"
I was so touched by the reading of this book, that I cried like a baby for the first time since I returned back from Vietnam. I was there myself and knew many men, such as Pauline's husband. I just never realized how much grief and stress that those left behind had suffered. Pauline is an example of someone who has had to learn how to cope and deal with the death of her husband, without any road maps. She lead with her heart and let her emotions take her to places she had never visited before. She allows us to take that journey of her spirit, though the pages of this wonderfully, well written, book of her emotional expereinces. I could not put this book down once I began - not until I reached and read the final word on the last page. I highly recommend buying and reading of this book. It will move you in ways you thought possible.

A Must Read
"Pauline Laurent's Grief Denied, A Vietnam Widow's Story is a must read for all of us who in some way experienced the Vietnam War. As a combat veteran who survived the war, I had never considered, much less appreciated what the loved ones of those killed in action have gone through. Pauline's compelling story takes the reader from an innocent war bride, to a young overwhelmed war widow, filled with the unborn child of her first love, through the depths of self-doubt and depression to emerge finally as a complete person secure in her womanhood. We can all benefit from reading Pauline's story as she takes us on the ride of her life, sometimes gently, sometimes shockingly, but always gripping. Every American will benefit from reading this experience of a war bride turned war widow and the struggles she encounters being both mother and father to the most important thing left behind by her war hero husband who died leading his fellow soldiers across a bridge in Gia Dinh province on May 10, 1968."

Courageous and long overdue
Pauline Laurent's beautifully written "Grief Denied- A Vietnam Widow's Story" is a brave gift to a country that needs to look at the long-term traumatic effects on loved ones of those who answered the call to Vietnam. As a former wife of a Vietnam veteran who physically survived the war, but was scarred mentally and emotionally, I have longed for books that tell of the trauma behind closed doors on American soil, long after the end of the Vietnam war. Sadly, I have found very little written on the subject. I used to think I was alone in the madness of grief and confusion. Thanks to Pauline Laurent, I know there are many others out there who have suffered similar experiences, with no recognition. It is time for America to wake up, look at the ugly aftermath and acknowledge it. There has been too much shame born by those of us directly affected by Nam. I thank and applaud Pauline for adding a most important work to the "women on the homefront" point of view. It is high time we give credit to those women who have paid a high price for loving Vietnam vets!

The Village
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Pocket Books (31 December, 2002)
Author: Bing West
Average review score:

An historical account of the defense of a Vietnamese village
This was one of the first books ever written about the Vietnam War (I have the paperback reprinted in the mid-80's), and it should be viewed as an incredible piece of history. It is about a small group of Marines living, defending, and perishing in a Vietnamese village. So many books written on the War have tainted baggage, either pro- or con- on the War, but West has put together an amazing account of what transipred, and leaves the reader to draw his/her own conclusions. So many people seem to be consumed with "what really happened over there"- I think The Village should be on the list of 3 or 4 books that captures the truth. Plus, the incredible fighting scenes and ultimate ending for the Marines is very dramatic, whether West had intended it to be or not. This should be required reading in college history classes; for the writing, the historiography, and the essence of what happened in Vietnam.

Gripping. Action-packed. Top-five book on the Vietnam War.

This book tells the story of a village and the marines and militia who defended it during the Vietnam War. It is filled with first hand accounts of fast paced fire-fights and battalion-sized battles. The action is riveting, and the story is endearing and heart-wrenching. A squad of marines and platoon of PF militia men fight night-after-night against local guerillas, and at times, VC main force battalions. The Americans become members of the village, eat in families' homes, play with their children, attend weddings, funerals, and holiday festivities. Their emotional ties hearten them, motivate them, and ultimately betray them.

The book was written by Francis J. West, a marine officer and RAND Corporation researcher sent to the village in the late 1960's to study its marine defenders. The marine squad -- seldom numbering more than a dozen -- was known throughout the Marine Corps. It encountered communist units more often than any other unit in the Corps; its members often fought twenty to thirty engagements a month, more than most U.S. battalions.

I've recommended this book to several men in the military, including my brother, a captian in the 10th SF group. All of them, in turn, recommended it to their friends, commanders, and subordinates.

"The Village" is as good as "Bravo Two Zero," "A Bright Shining Lie," and "We Were Soldiers Once, and Young." You won't put this book down until you're finished, and then, you'll read it again and again and give copies to your friends for Christmas.

One of the best first-hand accounts of the war ever written
I am an active-duty Marine officer. I read this book in 1995 as a First Lieutenant aboard the USS Kearsarge on my way to the Adriatic Sea in 1995. [-- It was in the ship's library in a manuscript format. It looked like it had just come from the typewriter because the pages were 8 1/2 by 11 and the binding looked homemade.] When I finally left the boat, I lost the name of the book. I have been searching for it ever since. I have a fairly extensive library of Vietnam literature and I think "The Village" ranks number one in both content and storytelling. I rate it above even Philip Caputo's "A Rumour of War", James Webb's "Fields of Fire", and "Easter Offensive", all five-star books in their own right. Should be on the Commandant's required reading list (it may be, I'm not sure.)

Eyes of the Eagle
Published in Paperback by Ivy Books (April, 1991)
Author: Gary A. Linderer
Average review score:

A MARGINAL UNIT
From Gary Linderer book. "The CID's evaluation stated that the unit (F Company, 58 LRP) was composed of malcontents, psychos, and criminals."

June 26, 1968 Page 39 "We left the perimeter at first light, going out through the east gate of Camp Eagle...Our mission was to patrol the eastern half of the AO, avoiding civilian contact, and look for anything out of the ordinary...
Intelligence had reported occasional VC activity in the hamlet.
VC tax collectors and supply parties often traveled the trails in the AO at night."

From Linderer's book. "We spent the evening drinking and getting totally blown away. We raised alot of hell, and I guess I probably overdid it with the war stories. They must have been impressed, because most offered their sisters to me before the night was over. Audie Murphy didn't have a thing on me. Well, how were you suppose to act around air force personnel?"

ON ALL OF GARY A. LINDERER'S BOOKS:
"Gary A. Linderer is the publisher of 'Behind the Lines,' a magazine that specializes in U.S. military special operations. In Vietnam, he earned two Silver Stars, the Bronze Star with V devise (for Valor), the Army Commendation Medal with V devise, and two Purple Hearts. His first two books were selected by the Military Book Club."

**************************
National Personnel Records Center Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5100
OFFICIAL LIST OF AWARDS The Official Military Records of GARY A. LINDERER (SSN removed) show that he is authorized the following awards and decorations for his service in the US Army:
SILVER STAR
BRONZE STAR MEDAL W/FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER AND "V" ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL
W/FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER AIR MEDAL
GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL NATIONAL DEFENSE
SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL W/4 BRONZE SERVICE STARS
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN RIBBON W/DEVICE (1960)
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM GALLANTRY CROSS W/PALM UNIT CITATION BADGE SHARPSHOOTER
BADGE W/RIFLE & MACHINE GUN BARS EXPERT BADGE W/AUTO RIFLE BAR
////////NOTHING FOLLOWS/////////////
R. L. HINDMAN,

Director
************************
From the United States National Archives: DA 1594 DAILY STAFF
JOURNAL OR DUTY OFFICER'S LOG. These are the contemporaneous,
unbiased, official radio reports from units in the field using
the US Army "SALUTE" reporting system. SIZE of the enemy, ACTIVITY
of the enemy, LOCATION, UNIT, TIME, and ESTIMATED strength.

**************************
G-2 & G-3 Section 101st Abn. Div. Camp Eagle YD808162
20 Nov. 1968

delayed entry: 1000H (C) G2 recd msg fr 1st Bde stating: At 2400H to 0400H vic An Nong Village YD918093 & An Nong 3 YD933106 in Loc Bon village, info came in from village chief to A Co that 30 VC last night came through loc above. Primary purpose was to collect money, but would eccept rice instead. They came from south and returned south.

1200H (C) G2 recd msg 2d Bde stating: At 1130 H vic YC829900 LRP TM #24 ambushed est enemy sqaud (reinf) moving E on trail at YC 829900. Appartently rice carrying detail, for only two were VC were armed. En appeared to have been heading towards hill # 512 at YC 8490. Res: 9 VC KIA, 2x 45 pistols CIA. Note: 8 VC were killed outright, one was captured but was seriously wounded. This VC later died after attempt to evac him was made. No friendly cas. 1220H (C) G2 recd msg fr 2/17 stating: At 1124H vic YC8490 LRP Tm #24 amb 9 VC, 5 women & 4 men. LRP Tm believes VC were porters. Res: 5 female KIA BC, 4 VC male KIA BC, 2 x US 45 Cal pistols. VC were moving towards Hill 513 YC8490.
Item no. 11 - 0945 hours (C) G2 recd msg fr 2d Bde stating: At 0530H vic YC829901 2/501 LRRP Tm #24 fnd fresh footprints made by sandels. Heading 340° NW from loc. More to follow.
Item 17 - 1200H (C) recd msg fr 2d Bde stating: At 1130H vic YC829900 LRP Tm # 24 ambushed est enemy sqaud (reinf) moving E on trail at YC829900. Apparently was a rice carrying detail, for ony two VC were armed. En appeared to have been heading toward hill # 512 at YC8490. Res: 9 VC KIA, 2 x 24 pistols CIA. Note: 8 VC were killed outright, one was captured but was seriously wounded. This VC later died after an attempt to evac him was made. No friendly cas.
Item 18 - 1220H (C) G2 recd mes fr 2/17 Cav stating: At 11245H vic YC8490 LRP Tm # 24 amb (ambushed) 9 VC, 5 women & 4 men. LRP Tm believed VC were porters. Res: 5 VC female KIA, 4 Male KIA BC. 2 x US 45 Cal pistols. VC were moving towards Hill 513 YC
8490. Neg US cas.
Item 33 - 1620H (C) G3 recd mes fr 2/17 Cav stating: 2/17 (C) reports LRRPs in RZ Brenda are in heavy contact, 9 cas. Request 1 Co RRF. 1st Bde will supply the company - A/2/502. Insertion controlled by credit 4.
Item 36 - 1645 H (C) recd msg fr 2d Bde, at 1620H, vic YC839880, LRP Tm 24 made contact w/unk size force. Res: 2 US KHA, 8 WIA. A complete report will be turned in tonight.
Item 48 - 2043H (C) G3 recd msg fr 2/17 Cav, LRP medevac completed 1830H, C/ARP ext fr contact site 1920H, shuttle to Brick has not been closed.
Item 51 - 2130 H (C) G2 recd msg fr 2/17, total 3 KHA, 21 WHA (8 serious, 13 minor), all cas fr LRP Co except 8 WIA fr ARP. One Kit CASON was WHA (minor) not included in 21 WHA.
SUMMARY: A LRP tm of F/58 Inf ambushed ten en [enemy] moving N on trail vic [vicinity] YC839887. The res [results] were eight enemy KIA and two wpns [weapons] capt [captured]. In subsequent encounter w/a [with a] reinforced enemy squad, the team killed on addtional en [enemy] in the same area.

Signed and notarized by LTC Jim I. Hunt G-2.

CID was right
From Gary Linderer book. "The CID's evaluation stated that the unit (F Company, 58 LRP) was composed of malcontents, psychos, and criminals."

June 26, 1968 Page 39
"We left the perimeter at first light, going out through the east gate of Camp Eagle...Our mission was to patrol the eastern half of the AO, avoiding civilian contact, and look for anything out of the ordinary... Intelligence had reported occasional VC activity in the hamlet. VC tax collectors and supply parties often traveled the trails in the AO at night."

From Linderer's book. "We spent the evening drinking and getting totally blown away. We raised alot of hell, and I guess I probably overdid it with the war stories. They must have been impressed, because most offered their sisters to me before the night was over. Audie Murphy didn't have a thing on me. Well, how were you suppose to act around air force personnel?"

And on the night of 19/20 Nov. 1968 they allowed the 30 local VC to pass through their ambush site. NOT MY IDEA OF WHAT RANGERS WERE AND ARE ABOUT. THIS BOOK IS A FRAUD ON THE PUBLIC!

Oh what a tangled web we weave...
From Gary Linderer's book: Page 10 - "The fact that we had killed over two hundred NVA, including the executive officer of the NVA 5th Regiment did not lesson his grief."

No way. This book is a faberication of the vivid memories of what they could have been, should have been, but are now rewritting history to make themselves into heroes. My heroes are not these con-artists.

PREFACE
"This book is a nonfiction work based on my experiences in Vietnam. Based on 238 letters..."subsequent information and verification of people, places and events described in my letters were collected... Historically accurate."
June 26, 1968
Page 39
"We left the perimeter at first light, going out through the east gate of Camp Eagle...Our mission was to patrol the eastern half of the AO, avoiding civilian contact, and look for anything out of the ordinary... Intelligence had reported occasional VC activity in the hamlet. VC tax collectors and supply parties often traveled the trails in the AO at night."

This is a great set up. Because Lurps in Vietnam were trained to ambush the VC at night in MACV Recondo School. Gary Linderer was there in Vietnam as a PFC. He never attended MACV Recondo School taught by the Special Forces. Reading the contemporaneous, non-biased, no agenda, U.S. National Archive records give a clearer more accurate depiction of what was real versus what Gary Linderer and others have conspired to twist into a war tales making heroes out of themselves. The bigger the tale the bigger the sale. It is the truth and the history that is lost in these cheap pocketbook, so-called, nonfiction books that have "NOT" been fact-checked by the publisher. This book, and others, clearly had tragic effects on the author. Mr. Linderer who invents well spun tales or fcition and lies in his writings. On the face of it, it might appear that maintaining a running fabrication would be harder. Psychologically speaking, "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when we fabricate, lie, trick and deceive." A made up war story, such as this, allows one to construct a reality that takes the mind where the truth does not exist. Because lying in books about one's military awards and medals and then telling whopping war stories about made up combat scenes the author becomes a "truth-concealing liar." This tormented lie the author must live on a daily bases does exact a toll and leads to a strain of emotional consequences that effect the mind and the body. Poor physical and mental health, in essence.

From Gary Linderer's book: Page 10 - "The fact that we had killed over two hundred NVA, including the executive officer of the NVA 5th Regiment did not lesson his grief." THIS NEVER HAPPENED! (SEE BELOW NATIONAL ARCHIVE RECORDS). The team allowed the VC to walk through them the night of 19/20 Nov. 1968 and the author says the VC were too well-armed and at the ready. DROOL!!! This was the target!! From the National Archives: Delayed entry 19 Nov. 1968: 1000H (C) G2 recd msg fr 1st Bde stating: At 2400H to 0400H vic An Nong Village YD918093 & An Nong 3 YD933106 in Loc Bon village, info came in from village chief to A Co that 30 VC last night came through loc above. Primary purpose was to collect money, but would eccept rice instead. They came from south and returned south.

From Linderer's book on page 11- "My first full day back with F Company was occupied with replacing the weapon and all the gear and equipment I had lost November 20. I had to start from scratch replacing my LBE (load-bearing equipment) and my rucksack and pack frame." FROM THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES: G-2 & G-3 101st Abn. Div CAMP EAGLE DATE 23 Nov. 1968. 1429 hours (C) G-2 recd msg fr 2d Bde stating: At 1325H vic YC83888 D/2/501 1st plt at 1240H fnd 8 bodies: 7 x VC, 1 NVA, 4 pairs of PJ, 20 lbs of rice, 1 kettle, equipment left by LRPS: 1 x WP gernade, 1 x bottle of whole blood, LRP rations, poncho liner, 6 x US rucksacks, 1 x sewing kit and 5x claymore. Note: The 8 x VC were previously reported.

Mr. Linderer, in effect, he is saying that he left his rucksack in the field of battle. If there were hundreds and hundreds of hard-core NVA they most certainly would have taken this valuable equipment that was left in the field for three days. These men simply ambushed a "rice porter detail" and later had a VC shoot at them. They failed their mission by not ambushing the VC that passed by them the night before. Mr. Linderer was, at that time, like the rest of the team members under the disillusions of "Short Timer's Anxiety." In mid-1968 the Vietnam War was not at all the way these men re wrote it. Fraggings, yes. Not wanting to go out to the field and face combat, yes. Heroes, I don't think so. Vietnam in mid-1968 was a medal frenzy for ticket punchers and those wanting to impress loved ones at home that they were saints and heroes. Not so, according to the national archives.

Page 14 - "The Cav (2/17 Cav) really didn't have a lot of use for LRPs, and we reciprocated their feelings, especially after their reaction team's heroic actions November 20 (when they cowered on the LZ while our fellow LRPs charged to our rescue)."

From the National Archives: 1200H (C) recd msg fr 2d Bde stating: At 1130H vic YC829900 LRP Tm # 24 ambushed est enemy sqaud (reinf) moving E on trail at YC829900. Apparently was a rice carrying detail, for ony two VC were armed. En appeared to have been heading toward hill # 512 at YC8490. Res: 9 VC KIA, 2 x 24 pistols CIA. Note: 8 VC were killed outright, one was captured but was seriously wounded. This VC later died after an attempt to evac him was made. No friendly cas. (C) G2 recd mes fr 2/17 Cav stating: At 11245H vic YC8490 LRP Tm # 24 amb (ambushed) 9 VC, 5 women & 4 men. LRP Tm believed VC were porters. Res: 5 VC female KIA, 4 Male KIA BC. 2 x US 45 Cal pistols. VC were moving towards Hill 513 YC8490. Neg US cas. (C) G3 recd mes fr 2/17 Cav stating: 2/17 (C) reports LRRPs in RZ Brenda are in heavy contact, 9 cas. Request 1 Co RRF. 1st Bde will supply the company - A/2/502. Insertion controlled by credit 4. 1645 H (C) recd msg fr 2d Bde, at 1620H, vic YC839880, LRP Tm 24 made contact w/unk size force. Res: 2 US KHA, 8 WIA. A complete report will be turned in tonight. 2043H (C) G 3 recd msg fr 2/17 Cav, LRP medevac completed 1830H, C/ARP ext fr contact site 1920H, shuttle to Brick has not been closed. 2130 H (C) G2 recd msg fr 2/17, total 3 KHA, 21 WHA (8 serious, 13 minor), all cas fr LRP Co except 8 WIA fr ARP. One Kit CASON was WHA (minor) not included in 21 WHA. SUMMARY: A LRP tm of F/58 Inf ambushed ten en [enemy] moving N on trail vic [vicinity] YC839887. The res were eight enemy KIA and two wpns [weapons] capt [captured]. In subsequent encounter w/a reinforced enemy squad, the team killed on addtional en [enemy] in the same area.

On all of Gary Linderer's book covers: "Gary A. Linderer is the publisher of 'Behind the Lines,' a magazine that specializes in U.S. military special operations. In Vietnam, he earned two Silver Stars, the Bronze Star with V devise (for Valor), the Army Commendation Medal with V de vise, and two Purple Hearts. His first two books were selected by the Military Book Club."

From the National Personnel Records Center Military Personnel Records 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5100 OFFICIAL LIST OF AWARDS The Official Military Records of GARY A. LINDERER (SSN removed) show that he is authorized the following awards and decorations for his service in the US Army:
SILVER STAR
BRONZE STAR MEDAL W/FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER AND "V" ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL
W/FIRST OAK LEAF CLUSTER AIR MEDAL
GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL NATIONAL DEFENSE
SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL W/4 BRONZE SERVICE STARS
COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM CAMPAIGN RIBBON W/DEVICE (1960)
REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM GALLANTRY CROSS W/PALM UNIT CITATION BADGE SHARPSHOOTER
BADGE W/RIFLE & MACHINE GUN BARS EXPERT BADGE W/AUTO RIFLE BAR
////////NOTHING FOLLOWS/////////////
R. L. HINDMAN,

Director

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