This is a narrowly focused book, being concerned only with the Rangers during the VN War (although the first chapter briefly covers their service in earlier wars). There are sections for each unit that had rangers. Thus it begins with the Americal but does not include My Lai as the errant troops were not Army Rangers.
There is material about the training and employment of ARVN troops. Taking some classes at CalStateLA at the turn of the century, a fellow student was the son of one such (a patriot) and I was glad to meet him as so many South Vietnamese did not rally to their nation's defense until it was too late and then brought out their gold to flee. My classmate had served as a Lt. in the US Navy. Sadly, most of his credits in Engineering were of no use as he pursued a teaching credential in a Social Science.
A special interest in this book is the appendixes with many details. I liked the listing of several MIAs and how they were lost, as well as of a few MOH winners. The costs of running an outfit stateside is compared to doing so in the RVN, the allotment of ammo and equipment given, etc.
Of course, most of the book is concerned with each Ranger unit. For example, the Screaming Eagles' Rangers were rushed to VN in 1965, and their early experiments are well and concisely told, followed by further 'adventures' as they honed their skills. They got to test various types of new equipment, but certainly were brave as they went out in close knit groups of six to report on enemy activity. They would sometimes surprise the enemy and had to be fast on the trigger to prevail in the encounter. There are descriptions of those taken prisoner and being marched away with pauses to be paraded before villagers to remind them who really rules VN.
I also read (while on the subway) the chapter on the First Cavalry and found it equally well done. Truly brave soldiers!
The author himself served.
Photo section, endnotes, a good index, and several too small detailed maps.
There is material about the training and employment of ARVN troops. Taking some classes at CalStateLA at the turn of the century, a fellow student was the son of one such (a patriot) and I was glad to meet him as so many South Vietnamese did not rally to their nation's defense until it was too late and then brought out their gold to flee. My classmate had served as a Lt. in the US Navy. Sadly, most of his credits in Engineering were of no use as he pursued a teaching credential in a Social Science.
A special interest in this book is the appendixes with many details. I liked the listing of several MIAs and how they were lost, as well as of a few MOH winners. The costs of running an outfit stateside is compared to doing so in the RVN, the allotment of ammo and equipment given, etc.
Of course, most of the book is concerned with each Ranger unit. For example, the Screaming Eagles' Rangers were rushed to VN in 1965, and their early experiments are well and concisely told, followed by further 'adventures' as they honed their skills. They got to test various types of new equipment, but certainly were brave as they went out in close knit groups of six to report on enemy activity. They would sometimes surprise the enemy and had to be fast on the trigger to prevail in the encounter. There are descriptions of those taken prisoner and being marched away with pauses to be paraded before villagers to remind them who really rules VN.
I also read (while on the subway) the chapter on the First Cavalry and found it equally well done. Truly brave soldiers!
The author himself served.
Photo section, endnotes, a good index, and several too small detailed maps.
