What do you think?
Rate this book
Blood on Red Dirt
Blood on Red Dirt is the true story of Marine Corporal Gary Cowart. The book encompasses the time before enlistment, Boot Camp, Infantry Training Regiment, Artillery School, and his time in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive of 1968. Incorporated with actual pictures from the times and places remembered in this book, it gives the reader a mix of emotions felt during the good times and bad, of combat and of non-combat, with the intent of giving the lay person a more complete picture of the Vietnam experience. After serving in Vietnam, Dr. Cowart earned a B.A. degree in Zoology from the University of Washington, and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the UW School of Dentistry He currently lives, writes, and maintains a general dental practice in Kent, Washington. Visit the "BLOOD ON RED DIRT" Facebook page to see all the pictures in this book in full size and living color.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2011
194 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 21, 2024
Lives Wasted
Mr. Cowart's accounts of his trials by fire as well as his group's.
They are scary to say the least and deadly at its worst.
You never know who to trust and if you do make friends with the locals you can put their life in danger as well.
The Viet Cong want to make everyone to stay away from the Americans and not take any help from them.
Mr. Cowart , like a lot of other veterans, began to see that this war was wrong on so many levels.
He did what he could for the locals without endangering them or their families.
He also found time to have a little bit of fun at the Army's expense.
I read a lot of these accounts to learn a bit more about what my friends and family members went through while fighting to stay alive.
I also hope to read my cousins name in someone's account and learn a little more about his time there.
We met one time as was coming back from there and I was shipping out to Central America. I'll never forget him telling me not to go to Vietnam. Agent Orange killed him in the end like so many veterans.
The book is well written.
Mr. Cowart's accounts of his trials by fire as well as his group's.
They are scary to say the least and deadly at its worst.
You never know who to trust and if you do make friends with the locals you can put their life in danger as well.
The Viet Cong want to make everyone to stay away from the Americans and not take any help from them.
Mr. Cowart , like a lot of other veterans, began to see that this war was wrong on so many levels.
He did what he could for the locals without endangering them or their families.
He also found time to have a little bit of fun at the Army's expense.
I read a lot of these accounts to learn a bit more about what my friends and family members went through while fighting to stay alive.
I also hope to read my cousins name in someone's account and learn a little more about his time there.
We met one time as was coming back from there and I was shipping out to Central America. I'll never forget him telling me not to go to Vietnam. Agent Orange killed him in the end like so many veterans.
The book is well written.
April 6, 2018
Felt like a real live interview!
As I read this book, I really felt like I was invited to Gary Cowart's living room and listened to him reminisce about the Vietnam War. The pictures were helpful to really visualize his experiences. Thank you for your service, your bravery, and telling your story!
As I read this book, I really felt like I was invited to Gary Cowart's living room and listened to him reminisce about the Vietnam War. The pictures were helpful to really visualize his experiences. Thank you for your service, your bravery, and telling your story!
August 3, 2022
perspective
It seems rare to me to see a book from the view point of non-infantry soldier in Vietnam. I may be incorrect about that, but the perspective this book provided is invaluable, as usually one reads about rear Echelon MFs, but having the chance to see the war from a their angle is helpful. This Marine’s time in that role did not last long, but understanding the feelings involved with not being in direct combat at all times, the reality of losing Marines, even far away on a different grid line, we’re very helpful for someone who was never there. This book is well appreciated, and I thank you for you service, and for helping to provide insight into a war that very few really wanted to understand, but where valor and brotherhood were very real. Thank you.
It seems rare to me to see a book from the view point of non-infantry soldier in Vietnam. I may be incorrect about that, but the perspective this book provided is invaluable, as usually one reads about rear Echelon MFs, but having the chance to see the war from a their angle is helpful. This Marine’s time in that role did not last long, but understanding the feelings involved with not being in direct combat at all times, the reality of losing Marines, even far away on a different grid line, we’re very helpful for someone who was never there. This book is well appreciated, and I thank you for you service, and for helping to provide insight into a war that very few really wanted to understand, but where valor and brotherhood were very real. Thank you.
March 30, 2018
Interesting informative
It is good to read a book that gives a sense of the dignified Marine. And more then a few paragraphs are essentially thought provoking, such as the author's understanding of political problems, a Marine's professional duty, and the feeling of a lack of public appreciation upon return. And all done in what seems like a simple manner, but if studied reveals an author of great thought, reality and hope. Teachers, please use this book in schools to help our students see this side of the Vietnam war
It is good to read a book that gives a sense of the dignified Marine. And more then a few paragraphs are essentially thought provoking, such as the author's understanding of political problems, a Marine's professional duty, and the feeling of a lack of public appreciation upon return. And all done in what seems like a simple manner, but if studied reveals an author of great thought, reality and hope. Teachers, please use this book in schools to help our students see this side of the Vietnam war
April 17, 2018
Living room conversation about the war
Cowart has an easy style of writing. I agree with my wife's assessment that you feel like your listening to his story over coffee. I have read a number of personal accounts of our generation's war and found this book refreshing since he had no political ax to grind. We volunteered, we served, we went home, we mustered out and we started a new phase of our life.
I especially enjoyed the short tale about landing on Wake. Still remember walking to the beach in 72 and seeing a rectangular block of rust that was a Jeep from WWII.
Cowart has an easy style of writing. I agree with my wife's assessment that you feel like your listening to his story over coffee. I have read a number of personal accounts of our generation's war and found this book refreshing since he had no political ax to grind. We volunteered, we served, we went home, we mustered out and we started a new phase of our life.
I especially enjoyed the short tale about landing on Wake. Still remember walking to the beach in 72 and seeing a rectangular block of rust that was a Jeep from WWII.
April 10, 2018
My generation had many heroes!
I can't help but to feel ashamed for the way our Vietnam Veterans were treated. These men and women are the unsung heroes of my generation. I never served because of a high "lottery" number. I thought even back then that the college campus and protesters were way out of line. My heartfelt thanks to all that did serve. I find it kind of strange that because of your sacrifices I am proud to be an American. God bless you all...
I can't help but to feel ashamed for the way our Vietnam Veterans were treated. These men and women are the unsung heroes of my generation. I never served because of a high "lottery" number. I thought even back then that the college campus and protesters were way out of line. My heartfelt thanks to all that did serve. I find it kind of strange that because of your sacrifices I am proud to be an American. God bless you all...
September 7, 2023
As an Aussie Vietnam vet myself, I found this account quite interesting. The author gave a clear an honest insight into his experience of being drafted and serving in an artillery unit in Vietnam. The end bit where he is wounded and then treated in various hospital, while seeing others die left me wondering whether all the effort, sacrifices and cost on that war was worth it. Overall, a very easy to read and entertaining story.
July 4, 2022
I enjoyed this book and feel very good that Cowart was able to survive the trauma and to move on in spite of it. I hope history teachers in high school and college are recommending this type of historical record so that our future leaders will not allow us to make such a mistake again. I fear that too many of our young people today look at the Vietnam war as nothing much more than a video game.
August 17, 2022
It Took Me Back, a C-141 Pilot Memories
While I was a C-141 pilot, I flew into DaNang many times. I also flew many return trips to the States in a hospital bound configuration. The sights, sounds and smells described in this book by the author were exactly as I recall. What he experienced, however, I can only imagine.
While I was a C-141 pilot, I flew into DaNang many times. I also flew many return trips to the States in a hospital bound configuration. The sights, sounds and smells described in this book by the author were exactly as I recall. What he experienced, however, I can only imagine.
September 17, 2020
EXCELLENT
Very good book. Gives you a good feel for what these guys went through. Reminds us of how poorly we treated those who did their duty and served. Thanks for your service.
Very good book. Gives you a good feel for what these guys went through. Reminds us of how poorly we treated those who did their duty and served. Thanks for your service.
December 6, 2020
Pretty good book
I decay was going to step outside of my normal reading material and I can say I'm glad I did this book paints a very real and true picture of life in the Vietnam war.
I decay was going to step outside of my normal reading material and I can say I'm glad I did this book paints a very real and true picture of life in the Vietnam war.
March 13, 2021
Astounding story told by a special person echoing times from War that only could have been written by a combat Marine. Bonding of humanity into a brotherhood everlasting. Every Marine Corps recruit depot asset to; “We build Marines”. Read this book, it tells the story.
April 28, 2021
Boot Camp to RSVN to Medevac to USA...
Good personal story of young Marine, goods and bads
of his time in USA and Vietnam. Wounded in combat and
made it home. Short read but well done....
Good personal story of young Marine, goods and bads
of his time in USA and Vietnam. Wounded in combat and
made it home. Short read but well done....
August 8, 2021
Chance and circumstance equaled a ticket ti Vietnam
I am about the same age as the author and clearly identified with the events he described in the mid-to-late 1960’s. I am glad he made it home from Vietnam and shared his experiences in a book.
I am about the same age as the author and clearly identified with the events he described in the mid-to-late 1960’s. I am glad he made it home from Vietnam and shared his experiences in a book.
June 15, 2022
Excellent
An articulate and interesting account of a Marine's combat your and serious wounding. It is informative and insightful and a useful perspective told in an honest and open manner. Thank you!
An articulate and interesting account of a Marine's combat your and serious wounding. It is informative and insightful and a useful perspective told in an honest and open manner. Thank you!
July 31, 2022
True Story of Being on Front Lines
This story, better than many others, tells of the range of emotions of combat in Nam. There is no Marine bravado, instead the full range of feelings of insecurity and satisfaction of a job well.
This story, better than many others, tells of the range of emotions of combat in Nam. There is no Marine bravado, instead the full range of feelings of insecurity and satisfaction of a job well.
February 20, 2023
Everything you want in a war memoir. I liked how it was from a more uncommon job, one that you don't hear much of. Quick and engaging read that put you there and had a great mix of places/dates and storytelling to keep you into it. One of the better Vietnam memoirs.
May 17, 2023
True
I was in Vietnam many years ago and still remember the good times and the bad times. I still remember most of my friends and whatever happened to them. Good book to read and think about how God blessed us.
I was in Vietnam many years ago and still remember the good times and the bad times. I still remember most of my friends and whatever happened to them. Good book to read and think about how God blessed us.
May 18, 2023
Welcome Home
Very straight forward and honest. A great read! I could not stop reading this remarkable story. Written extremely well. I recommend to anyone interested in hearing a Marine Vietnam veteran’s story and ability to face his worst fears.
Very straight forward and honest. A great read! I could not stop reading this remarkable story. Written extremely well. I recommend to anyone interested in hearing a Marine Vietnam veteran’s story and ability to face his worst fears.
January 7, 2024
Honesty
There is a level of self effacing honesty in this narrative that heaps much credit on the author, who obviously knows himself and is comfortable with that knowledge. I thank him for taking the time and trouble to share that honesty with us.
There is a level of self effacing honesty in this narrative that heaps much credit on the author, who obviously knows himself and is comfortable with that knowledge. I thank him for taking the time and trouble to share that honesty with us.
May 28, 2018
This story makes me feel like I was there in the ditch dodging bullets & shrapnel. Glad to see the author survived & made it home, but not without spilling some blood on the red dirt.
January 11, 2020
Would recommend for boys as an introduction to the life of a marine.
Reading level: easy. 4th grade and up.
Reading level: easy. 4th grade and up.
July 29, 2021
Vietnam war saga
The author has written a compelling book about his experiences in Vietnam. His book should be read by all Americans and I highly recommend this book to all.
The author has written a compelling book about his experiences in Vietnam. His book should be read by all Americans and I highly recommend this book to all.
January 29, 2022
Excellent
This memoir is a well written firsthand account of a combat marine’s experience in 1968 Vietnam. All thumbs up. Bravo!
This memoir is a well written firsthand account of a combat marine’s experience in 1968 Vietnam. All thumbs up. Bravo!
Read
May 30, 2022Excellent story
As one who served in that area the prior year, I found the story compelling, and highly recommend it to all Marines.
Thanks, Col Cowart!
As one who served in that area the prior year, I found the story compelling, and highly recommend it to all Marines.
Thanks, Col Cowart!
July 3, 2022
great personal story of 1 man
Must read for perspective of one man’s journey thru the Vietnam War. His personal highs and lows. His fears and lighter moments. Well written
Must read for perspective of one man’s journey thru the Vietnam War. His personal highs and lows. His fears and lighter moments. Well written
July 19, 2022
Very well done.
Down to earth, honest and meaningful account of the war from a young marine who details the physical and emotional cost of war.
Down to earth, honest and meaningful account of the war from a young marine who details the physical and emotional cost of war.
November 15, 2022
War
I read books that are an autobiography of the writer but they're true stories based upon personal experiences. I highly recommend this book by Gary Cowart.
I read books that are an autobiography of the writer but they're true stories based upon personal experiences. I highly recommend this book by Gary Cowart.
December 23, 2022
Just OK
An ok book.
A little short on details. But certainly ok
K for the price. There are better Viet man dairies.
An ok book.
A little short on details. But certainly ok
K for the price. There are better Viet man dairies.
February 16, 2023
Good read
This is a enjoyable book; all of us Viet Vets had very different experiences but most of us were just kids that had our youth stolen from us as explained by Mr Cowart
This is a enjoyable book; all of us Viet Vets had very different experiences but most of us were just kids that had our youth stolen from us as explained by Mr Cowart
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews