Vietnam Rough Riders: A Convoy Commander's Memoir

Modern War Studies

by Frank McAdams

In the Vietnam War, American rough riders drove trucks through hostile territory delivering supplies, equipment, ammunition, weapons, fuel, and reinforcements to troops fighting on the war's ever-shifting front lines. But, all too often, the convoys themselves became the front lines. Frank McAdams, a Marine Corps lieutenant, learned that the hard way during a tour of duty that began right after the 1968 Tet Offensive and the siege at Khe Sanh. In this compelling memoir he recounts his personal battles--not only with a dangerous enemy but also with an incompetent superior and a sometimes indifferent military bureaucracy. A decidedly different take on the Vietnam experience, his chronicle focuses on the ambush-prone truck convoys that snaked their way through dangerous terrain in narrow mountain passes and overgrown jungles. When an ambush occurred, strong leadership and quick thinking were required to protect both the convoy's mission and the lives of its men. Fast-paced and highly absorbing, his book offers an insightful look at a largely neglected aspect of the Vietnam War, while reminding us of how frequently the crucible of war reveals one's true character.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction

280 pages, Hardcover

Published March 12, 2013

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read on what it was like to run the military convoys through Vietnam from a company level. It was a refreshing read and something I highly enjoyed.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly frames the contrast between good and bad leadership. A page-turner. Kept me engaged the whole time.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

How refreshing to have a combat memoir from the the point of view of a combat service support guy. Lots of action here and the best part of the book was not the combat but the dealing with the leadership challenges. Sadly they weren't with the enlisted Marines but more with the supervisors. Frank McAdams maintained his cool though and has written a very interesting and stimulating account of his time in the Marines in Vietnam. You could feel the tension between the junior officers and the field grade officers much like in Karl Marlantes' "Matterhorn." That tension was still prevalent in 1979 when I was in a battalion and so was the hypocrisy. McAdams says his favorite rank or grade was 2dLt. He must be the first and only person whom I've ever met who has this opinion. Vietnam vets will enjoy this read as will the Marines of today as they ponder if things are better now after ten years of continuous war.

[Jillian Pashneh-Tala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this for PME but I ended up really liking it. Reading this while being the motor t officer was very humbling to say the least.