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Con Thien: The Hill of Angels
Con Thien is a memoir/history of a much-beleaguered Marine outpost of the DMZ
Throughout much of 1967, a remote United States Marine firebase only two miles from the demilitarized zone (DMZ) captured the attention of the world’s media. That artillery-scarred outpost was the linchpin of the so-called McNamara Line intended to deter incursions into South Vietnam by the North Vietnamese Army. As such, the fighting along this territory was particularly intense and bloody, and the body count rose daily.
Con Thien combines James P. Coan’s personal experiences with information taken from archives, interviews with battle participants, and official documents to construct a powerful story of the daily life and combat on the red clay bulls-eye known as "The Hill of Angels." As a tank platoon leader in Alpha Company, 3d Tank Battalion, 3d Marine Division, Coan was stationed at Con Thien for eight months during his 1967-68 service in Vietnam and witnessed much of the carnage.
Con Thien was heavily bombarded by enemy artillery with impunity because it was located in politically sensitive territory and the U.S. government would not permit direct armed response from Marine tanks. Coan, like many other soldiers, began to feel as though the government was as much the enemy as the NVA, yet he continued to fight for his country with all that he had. In his riveting memoir, Coan depicts the hardships of life in the DMZ and the ineffectiveness of much of the U.S. military effort in Vietnam.
Throughout much of 1967, a remote United States Marine firebase only two miles from the demilitarized zone (DMZ) captured the attention of the world’s media. That artillery-scarred outpost was the linchpin of the so-called McNamara Line intended to deter incursions into South Vietnam by the North Vietnamese Army. As such, the fighting along this territory was particularly intense and bloody, and the body count rose daily.
Con Thien combines James P. Coan’s personal experiences with information taken from archives, interviews with battle participants, and official documents to construct a powerful story of the daily life and combat on the red clay bulls-eye known as "The Hill of Angels." As a tank platoon leader in Alpha Company, 3d Tank Battalion, 3d Marine Division, Coan was stationed at Con Thien for eight months during his 1967-68 service in Vietnam and witnessed much of the carnage.
Con Thien was heavily bombarded by enemy artillery with impunity because it was located in politically sensitive territory and the U.S. government would not permit direct armed response from Marine tanks. Coan, like many other soldiers, began to feel as though the government was as much the enemy as the NVA, yet he continued to fight for his country with all that he had. In his riveting memoir, Coan depicts the hardships of life in the DMZ and the ineffectiveness of much of the U.S. military effort in Vietnam.
- GenresMilitary HistoryHistory
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 26, 2016
I thought the book was well written with excellent specifics about various actions during that time frame. It is a part of the Vietnam war history I wasn't that familiar with. It is difficult to read about how the secretary of defense and the commander of the troops devise a "hold at all cost" strategy for a piece of land and then restrict the rules of engagement so the marines can adequately defend themselves. One can't help but be proud of the courage and creativity of those young marines and corpsman under very terse circumstances and constant shelling. One can only hope that current and future leaders are familiar with the details of this portion of the Vietnam war so that they don't repeat history if the future calls for a similar type military action.
May 14, 2009
I started reading Coan's book after a Marine Corps reunion and visiting the National Marine Corps Museum.
The book is well written and well researched. I would consider is an "easy" read, save for the fact I participated in a number of battles that Coan describes as a member of 2nd battalion, 4th Marines. But Coan's writing style and wordsmithing does make it a very readable book.
That's something I cannot say about many Vietnam memoir-type books. But this one is more historical in nature though the author, like me, was a participant.
The book is well written and well researched. I would consider is an "easy" read, save for the fact I participated in a number of battles that Coan describes as a member of 2nd battalion, 4th Marines. But Coan's writing style and wordsmithing does make it a very readable book.
That's something I cannot say about many Vietnam memoir-type books. But this one is more historical in nature though the author, like me, was a participant.
July 24, 2012
This is the history of Viet Nam that your brother, son, father...won't talk about. Very difficult to read; but absolutely a history that we should all read!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews