Vietnam-Perkasie: A Combat Marine Memoir

by W.D. Ehrhart

In 1982, John Newman, curator of the Vietnam War Literature Collection at Colorado State University, said of W.D. Ehrhart: "As a poet and editor, Bill Ehrhart is clearly one of the major figures in Vietnam War literature." This autobiographical account of the war, the author's first extended prose work, demonstrates Ehrhart's abilities as a writer of prose as well. Vietnam-Perkasie is grim, comical, disturbing, and accurate. The presentation is novelistic—truly, a "page-turner"—but the events are all real, the atmosphere intensely evocative.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War, Memoir, Biography, Historical, Audiobook

Paperback

First published September 1, 1983

Reviews

[Mike Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the all time greatest memoirs of the Vietnam War. 100% genuine truth from a Marine who thought he was doing the right thing only to discover after much pain and suffering that the War was a complete and total disaster of suffering and death. Bill tells the truth with no holding back and we feel all his pain and joy and turmoil during his tour of duty. Thank you Bill for your honesty and truth. And thank you for sharing with us your deepest feelings. I laughed and cried with you.

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on one man's decline during the war, but the most compelling part for me was his return home and the reception he receives, not from the (mostly) mythological soldier hating hippies, but from everyday Americans, the silent majority types.

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally write reviews for books that I've read but I thought I'd do so for this one partly because the author's experiences in Vietnam seem to mirror so closely the troubles we had in the war in Afghanistan (which at the time of this review has just come to its inevitable conclusion) and partly because I think it's just criminal that what I would consider to be one of the definitive memoirs from a soldier on the ground in Vietnam only has six written reviews. This book needs more exposure. This is a fascinating look at the war through the eyes of a soldier who grew up in Smalltown, America (Perkasie, Pennsylvania) and joined the Marines out of high school because he believed he had a moral duty to help of the people of Vietnam. He was clearly a thinking Marine, intelligent and it shows in his writing. Through the course of his tour in Vietnam he realizes that what he was told about Vietnam before joining was all a lie and becomes disenchanted with the war. Books about war can be difficult to read for non-military folk as there's often a lot of jargon but Ehrhart's prose is infinitely readable. There's no big climax or anything, just a ton of amazing anecdotes about his 13 months in Vietnam which had a little bit of everything: boredom, fear, anger, violence, inanity. I felt like I was part of the group and I witnessed the conversations firsthand with his COs and buddies, some of whom would die, some not. What I want to get across is what a wonderful storyteller Ehrhart is. He has a gift. If you think you might be intersted in this book, but not quite convinced, then set aside 15 minutes and check out this video of him talking about his experiences in Vietnam. If you're like me then you'll feel like you need to read his book immediately.
https://youtu.be/tixOyiR8B-8

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book to gain an understanding from the mindset of a soldier during the Vietnam war. Ehrhart does a great job describing his transformation throughout the war. If you want to gain an understanding of war and the mindset of soldiers then definitely read this book. It's much more educational than philosophical.

[Eva White · Rating 5 out of 5]

utterly disturbing, disgusting, and maybe worst of all, honest

worth the exorbitant price tag.

[Dave Monds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, tragic, gripping

Every Vietnam veteran’s story demands a lot of the reader, but it is our duty to understand these stories and relieve a small part of the burden these men carry. The sense of being caught up in something so big, without clear direction or purpose, is at times overwhelming. The tragedy of it all, though, is overwhelming constantly. The closing chapters are particularly fraught. Beautifully written, I don’t know what else to say.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book answers the question “why don’t most Viet Nam Vets like to talk about their service?” A young Marine nobly doing his duty forced to deal with 13 months in a war that he can’t make any sense of. Earhart eloquently explains the circumstances of so many servicemen and brings their confusion about the mission into the light so even a civilian can understand.

[Reader Critic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is the best and most honest book I've ever read about combat and its effect on us. Part of a trilogy of books that came before Platoon and other famous movies about the vietnam war, one can find the scenes of their favorite movies here. Those movies were informed by this book.

If you are interested in our veterans today, you should read this book.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a more personal memoir than others I have read. I know where he came from and understand his background although he is 8 years older. It should be a required read for high school students.

[Johannes Vogel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am writing this review as a European, born after the conclusion of the Vietnam war and as someone who has never been to the military. I wanted to read this book, because I find it important to look at various viewpoints and experiences even those that are alien to me.

The book has made me very pensive. The author is a fantastic storyteller and the anecdotes of the war in Vietnam as he experienced it were almost palpable for me. Again, I have never been close to military or am familiar with the abbreviations. The journey of the author from signing up believing it is the right thing all the way to questioning the actual purpose of the war is very powerful. I have to say, I watched a whole bunch of movies about the Vietnam war. I don't I ever understood it. I was all going along with the horrors of war and if it had not been the case before, I certainly am convinced now that I never ever want to be in a war zone. What really got me though, was the end. His return home. The last couple of chapters are very short anecdotes of how he interacted back in his hometown where he knew everyone. Knowing what the author knows, I could put a lot of things into context why the Vietnam War was such a divisive period in US-history.

It is an outstanding book. I recommend everyone to read it.

[Jeff Mauch · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚3.There are a ton of combat memoirs out there, but very few are both well written and deeply personal. This, thankfully, is one of the rare standouts. I’ve read dozens of soldier memoirs—many considered classics of the genre—but this may be my favorite to date.
What sets this book apart is Ehrhart’s brutal honesty. Soldiers often avoid questioning leadership or contradicting the official military narrative, even decades after their service. Ehrhart does neither. His reflections are candid and unflinching, especially as his feelings toward the war slowly—and painfully—shift by the end of his tour. While Vietnam’s growing unpopularity isn’t surprising, watching his personal beliefs evolve in real time as events unfold is both compelling and unsettling.
He clearly struggles with his role, openly questioning the logic and morality behind what he’s being asked to do. His relationships with fellow soldiers are particularly impactful, as is his R&R time in Hong Kong, both of which significantly shape his worldview.
Most of all, this memoir works because it feels real. Ehrhart holds nothing back. It’s gritty, emotionally raw, and often devastating—but always honest. It is a powerful, unforgettable read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

[Pamela Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book that I took from several reels on top reads of 2025. I have read a lot of excellent books on Vietnam, Matterhorn, The 13th Valley, Fields of Fire and The Things They Carried to name a few, but I think this is the only book where the dialogue by Ehrhart and his fellow soldiers highlighted how incredibly young and immature they all were and that was heartbreaking. Written in 1983 and have spent the past week wondering why it took so long to be featured in so many top reads of 2025. It’s not a long read but like so many Vietnam books it is like a throat punch as you witness the destruction of the young idealistic men who spend almost 365 days being shelled or shot at, living is conditions that go from extreme heat and humidity to monsoon weather where movement is almost impossible due to the quagmire of mud. All this and if they are lucky and return unscathed to a world that looks at them as if they are the enemy. Vietnam to me still seems like the time in US history that we want to sweep under the rug and forget about.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me a lot of Philip Caputo's "A Rumor of War". Both are memoirs by Marines, and both men serve in areas of Vietnam that experienced some of the heaviest fighting of the war. Erhardt begins his tour in the south, and throughout his twelve months, he engages fighting in Con Thien and areas in the middle of Vietnam, ending with the bloody battle for Hue City.

What I found most engaging about Erhardt's book was his disillusionment with the war, how is beliefs changed, and the actions that Erhardt encountered and committed, which affect his life forever.

Erhardt also eloquently documents what was like for him to leave Hue in the middle of the battle, flying home, and trying to re-engage with living in the USA after 13 months. For me, this was the part that was most affecting. Great book

[Vivienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehrhart, with a realistic and restrained style, documented the brutal daily realities of the Vietnam War: from the confusion of new recruits to the fear, trauma, and disillusionment of the battlefield. The details are vivid, and the emotions are genuine, showing how war destroys the ideals and humanity of young people.
However, as a memoir, the narrative is somewhat linear, lacking deeper reflection or literary tension. The latter part, which focuses on returning to civilian life, is somewhat bland, and the overall impact is not as powerful as some classic works about the Vietnam War (such as *The Things They Carried*).
It is suitable for readers who want to understand the perspective of an ordinary soldier; it is authentic but not particularly striking.

[Paul DelVecchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

War is ugly, most of all when you think you’re doing it for the right reasons and that turns out to not be the case. America hoped to liberate Southern Vietnam from the Northern Vietnamese Army, and in the process destroyed a beautiful country, alienated the very people we intended to save, made them hate us, and then left them worse off than when we got there.

Then imagine being 18 years old and shipped off to fight in a war you don’t understand, counting down the days till you’re out of there as your friends die around you, and finally making it home and deemed a leper, treated with hostility and indifference, unable to connect with people because of what you’d seen and done.

Funny how war usually doesn’t work out too well for anyone involved.

[a.t.m. · Rating 5 out of 5]

combat marine tells his story

The author has written a compelling book about serving in the Marine Corps during Vietnam. His story has been told by so many others that served and came back changed. But, his story is for him to tell and that’s all that matters. The names of his friends, his units, his combat operations are to be forever immortalized because of the publishing of his book. I highly recommend this book and I hope he has found peace in his life without the need for alcohol.

[Mick Maurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked it up yesterday and finished it the next morning, could not put it down. He was 17.5 when he went into the Marine Corps as Air Intelligence, I was 18 when I went into the Army as a combat medic. Bill is 6 years older than me. So his time '67-'68 in Vietnam is different than my '73-'74 time there. A good depiction of front-line service. I previously read his poetry & of those other Vietnam Vets that he edited.

[Keith Betton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smacked me across the face

This book is incredible. I can't say I "enjoyed" or "loved" the book as it told disturbing fact. It's a must read for sure. I learned a lot and felt a lot. My friend's father served in Vietnam. He was the sweetest guy but he had been through a lot. He had nightmares. I am sure his family could tell stories. He unfortunately passed several years ago. Stories like this one are reminded of the importance of truth and understanding.

[Krista Dugan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. I admire the author’s honesty about the atrocities they went through and inflicted upon others during their service. It was eye opening. I also appreciate the writing style. As someone who has not engaged in much historical writing, I found this book to be very accessible. I felt fully immersed in this book. I think this is a book I will think about forever, it has changed my perception of the military entirely.

[JakubWojt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great look into the slow shift in the authors mentality from the initial patriotism-fuelled enlistment to the gradual realisation that America may have been the baddies.

Where the novel shined most was in his return to the US and the reception he received. You could tell that he was struggling with PTSD even without it being explicitly stated

[Ana Hanhausen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir is a raw telling of the experience of a Marine in Vietnam. I found it very powerful and honest, especially as the author begins to realize that the Vietnam War isn’t the cause he thought it was and that much of it doesn’t make sense to him.

[Keely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow. Vietnam vets went through so much! This is such a good book covering his real and raw experience in Vietnam. I hated how things went for him when we made it home.. :/ this is a great book. I would read it again

[Peter G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and devastating. Earhart is a wonderful writer and his prose make you feel like you are right there with him.

[Shaun Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest look at a complex and fraught topic and time in our history. Well-written and readable.

[Johan Horak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

Interesting how he woke up from the dream. Fascinating. It's a war story with a twist. I did not expect the twist. It made the read intriguing.

[Victor Hibbeln · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shockingly funny. A gem.

[Dermot Toal · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Vietnam books I have read. An authentic and emotional memoir. Would highly recommend to anyone interested in Vietnam / military history.

[Daniel Luken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Vietnam war book from USA marine perspective. Really makes you think…

[Julio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and humanising eye-witness recount of the Vietnam war. No bullshit and full of emotion - beautiful

[Angie Rosy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great easy read. Some visual is pretty rough and will stick with me. This man has a sad story to tell. It's a nice window into the life of a regular joe and what occurred over there and his changing perspective. 4.5