A personal diary and history from the parade fields of West Point to the 101st Airborne Division and the 1968 Tet Offensive in Vietnam. This book is not only a very personal story it is also a unit history and a selective history of the Vietnam War from the first deployment of U.S. troops to the end. The author's own experiences are presented in context with other historical battles and events that shaped the war, with most of those battles and events involving West Point classmates and friends. It's all here: a time-capsule history, the battles, the tactics, the emotions, the pride, the pain, the comradeship, the songs, the letters, the girl back home. I've been told, one of the things every man should do in life is write a book. This book is dedicated to those who didn't survive to write their own. AUTHOR'S BIOGRAPHY The author graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in June 1964. The author served with the 101st Airborne Division initially at Fort Campbell in 1965, and later in Vietnam in 1968. Between those tours he served with the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Special Action Force Asia. He resigned from the Army as a captain after serving 6 years. Work on the manuscript began in 1986. The "first edition" of the manuscript was completed in 1988 and has been shared with other members of the 2/17th Cavalry and friends since then. SOME OF THE BEST COMMENTARY -Lt. Gen. (Ret) Julius Becton (Commander 2/17th Cav): "Thoroughly enjoyed it. Right on." -Joe Mastriani (West Point '64): "It was terrific. I can picture it." -Ed Sims (West Point '64): "Truthful and honest. I had trouble getting through parts of it - the part about Claire Thurston." -Dr. Dave Vockell (Surgeon 2/17th Cav): "I kept picturing you. It was like you were telling me the story." -Lionel Ingram (West Point '63; A Troop, 2/17th Cav): "Important from both a personal and historical standpoint. Thank you." -Joe Rozelle (B Troop 2/17th Cav): "I enjoyed it very much. I read it in one sitting. It hit me very strongly - brought back memories I was afraid to deal with. For me it was a lot like therapy." -Loyal Nixon (2/17th Cav Maint. Officer): "Excellent. Right on target. Brought back vivid, vivid memories. Had me laughing and crying. I think it's terrific." TABLE OF CONTENTS The Lieutenant Years 1964-1966
Fort Campbell, Ky to Bien Hoa RVN Oct - Dec 1967
Song Be and the Tet Offensive Jan - Feb 1968 The Tet Counteroffensive in Hue and Thua Thien Province Epilogues