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Killer Kane: A Marine Long-Range Recon Team Leader in Vietnam, 1967-1968
The leader of one of the most successful U. S. Marine long range reconnaissance teams during the Vietnam War, Andrew Finlayson recounts his team's experiences in the year leading up to the Tet Offensive of 1968. Using primary sources, such as Marine Corps unit histories and his own weekly letters home, he presents a highly personal account of the dangerous missions conducted by this team of young Marines as they searched for North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong units in such dangerous locales as Elephant Valley, the Enchanted Forest, Charlie Ridge, Happy Valley and the Que Son Mountains.
In numerous close contacts with the enemy, the team (code-name Killer Kane) fights for its survival against desperate odds, narrowly escaping death time and again. The book gives vivid descriptions of the life of recon Marines when they are not on patrol, the beauty of the landscape they traverse, and several of the author's Vietnamese friends. It also explains in detail the preparations for, and the conduct of, a successful long range reconnaissance patrol.
In numerous close contacts with the enemy, the team (code-name Killer Kane) fights for its survival against desperate odds, narrowly escaping death time and again. The book gives vivid descriptions of the life of recon Marines when they are not on patrol, the beauty of the landscape they traverse, and several of the author's Vietnamese friends. It also explains in detail the preparations for, and the conduct of, a successful long range reconnaissance patrol.
- GenresHistoryAutobiography
555 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
51 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 3, 2024
Brilliant book on combat in Vietnam. By far the best I’ve read - and I’ve read lots. Fantastic writer. There was a sad undertone throughout as he longed for recognition & respect of his townsfolk.
September 18, 2018
The best book I've read about combat life in Vietnam
The author is very adept at writing his story. It is hard to judge this lieutenant and the choices he made when he was in the field and the decisions he made about his personal life. I believe he had a strong sense of duty that everyone mistakes for arrogance and selfishness. He was truly one of the best and bravest of the fighting men of the Vietnam war.
The author is very adept at writing his story. It is hard to judge this lieutenant and the choices he made when he was in the field and the decisions he made about his personal life. I believe he had a strong sense of duty that everyone mistakes for arrogance and selfishness. He was truly one of the best and bravest of the fighting men of the Vietnam war.
September 13, 2023
Very detailed description of a Marine officer (Lt.) during his 11-month assignment as a reconnaissance team leader in South Vietnam. This was in 1967, before the NVA Tet Offensive.
Specific patrols are explained along with the danger involved operating in a dense, hot, wet area often far away from supporting units.
The everyday bravery of his patrol teams is well stated.
An interesting yet non-political narrative of U.S.Marines in Vietnam.
A few photos are included but only two large scale maps. Additional military topography maps with detail would make the narrative easier to follow.
Recommended to highlight the bravery of American soldiers (Marines) sent off to war.
Specific patrols are explained along with the danger involved operating in a dense, hot, wet area often far away from supporting units.
The everyday bravery of his patrol teams is well stated.
An interesting yet non-political narrative of U.S.Marines in Vietnam.
A few photos are included but only two large scale maps. Additional military topography maps with detail would make the narrative easier to follow.
Recommended to highlight the bravery of American soldiers (Marines) sent off to war.
September 13, 2023
Excellent book with superb insight to combat,Vietnam ,and the Marine Corps.Warrior ethos. It is an honor to read and feel a side of a Marine Corps Officer who I know personally. In my family speaking of Vietnam is frown upon, as my uncle volunteered and was killed in Vietnam.
Thank you , Andy for a well written book, and sharing your views, which were similar to my uncle. By the way his name was Andy as well..
Semper Fi!
Thank you , Andy for a well written book, and sharing your views, which were similar to my uncle. By the way his name was Andy as well..
Semper Fi!
May 28, 2019
Killer Kane : Awesome Book
A really awesome read. Well written and direct , it felt as if the writer was sitting beside me telling me a fantastic adventure in infinite detail . I loved this book !!
A really awesome read. Well written and direct , it felt as if the writer was sitting beside me telling me a fantastic adventure in infinite detail . I loved this book !!
November 4, 2019
Patterson
Truly a. Very exciting book to read & O like to think it was written in a true faction & I think the man was sincere in his work ( The mess that w!e had over there )
Truly a. Very exciting book to read & O like to think it was written in a true faction & I think the man was sincere in his work ( The mess that w!e had over there )
March 24, 2023
awesome
Loved this book. It describes what life is like for a recon marine in south Vietnam. This is a must read.
Loved this book. It describes what life is like for a recon marine in south Vietnam. This is a must read.
August 31, 2016
The most intelligent information I have read on the subject of recon in Viet Nam.
Mr. Finlayson's discription of recon missions in Viet Nam is spot on and written in one of the most comprehensive and straight forward views that I have seen in print. Prior to reading Killer Kane I had no information on how Marine Recon teams conducted their missions. I was a member of a LRRP company attached to the 173rd Airborne brigade more than a year after Mr. Finlayson's first tour. There were so many similar operational preparations that it was fun to make comparisons. Some major differences were that we rarely operated with more than six team members and I cringe at going to the field with an officer! Especially a newly minted one! Our team leaders for the most part were second tour Sergeants highly capable and intelligent. It also seems that we carried more water and equipment. We never carried C-rations just freeze dried lurp rats as they were called. We carried at least eight quarts of water because we had a collapsible five quart canteen that fit in the bottom of our rucksack, a two quart on our web belt as well as the standard one quart with canteen cup. Each man was trained as an emergency medic and carried IV drip saline\ lactated ringers and knew how to use it also atropine and morphine surretts, in addition each man carried a claymore and we deployed these every night at our night lagger, we considered these our last line of defense. Each nan carried at least 300 rnds of 5.56 ammunition in canteen pouches as well as a canteen pouch of standard m26 frags. Every man was trained to be proficient at calling in artillery and air support if something happened to the radii man. Only one time do I remember carrying two radios to the field because we were going to be near another units AO. Every man also had to carry ten foot of 1\2in. Line and caribineres to make swiss seat rigs if we had to rappel in or be pulled out by Mcquire rig extraction. Our teams were small so we could always be inserted and extracted by the Huey slick (Uh1) helicopter. I can't imagine using a ch46 (Chinook) to insert r extract with the size and noise I don't know how they maintained stealth. I have to hand it to the Marines though, they done a wonderful job with what they had and I would personally like to thank Mr. Finlayson for his service and hope he writes another book about his second tour. I can't say enough good about this book and highly recommend it.
Mr. Finlayson's discription of recon missions in Viet Nam is spot on and written in one of the most comprehensive and straight forward views that I have seen in print. Prior to reading Killer Kane I had no information on how Marine Recon teams conducted their missions. I was a member of a LRRP company attached to the 173rd Airborne brigade more than a year after Mr. Finlayson's first tour. There were so many similar operational preparations that it was fun to make comparisons. Some major differences were that we rarely operated with more than six team members and I cringe at going to the field with an officer! Especially a newly minted one! Our team leaders for the most part were second tour Sergeants highly capable and intelligent. It also seems that we carried more water and equipment. We never carried C-rations just freeze dried lurp rats as they were called. We carried at least eight quarts of water because we had a collapsible five quart canteen that fit in the bottom of our rucksack, a two quart on our web belt as well as the standard one quart with canteen cup. Each man was trained as an emergency medic and carried IV drip saline\ lactated ringers and knew how to use it also atropine and morphine surretts, in addition each man carried a claymore and we deployed these every night at our night lagger, we considered these our last line of defense. Each nan carried at least 300 rnds of 5.56 ammunition in canteen pouches as well as a canteen pouch of standard m26 frags. Every man was trained to be proficient at calling in artillery and air support if something happened to the radii man. Only one time do I remember carrying two radios to the field because we were going to be near another units AO. Every man also had to carry ten foot of 1\2in. Line and caribineres to make swiss seat rigs if we had to rappel in or be pulled out by Mcquire rig extraction. Our teams were small so we could always be inserted and extracted by the Huey slick (Uh1) helicopter. I can't imagine using a ch46 (Chinook) to insert r extract with the size and noise I don't know how they maintained stealth. I have to hand it to the Marines though, they done a wonderful job with what they had and I would personally like to thank Mr. Finlayson for his service and hope he writes another book about his second tour. I can't say enough good about this book and highly recommend it.
August 7, 2016
I only wish it went on
There are few if any books like this one. Written by a real Marine about the real events in his life in his first tour in Vietnam. If only there were people willing to listen to him, perhaps the war would have not gone as it did. He writes the real deal because he is the real deal; one of the few proud and brave, a United States Marine. To Killer Kane I say, Semper Fi!
There are few if any books like this one. Written by a real Marine about the real events in his life in his first tour in Vietnam. If only there were people willing to listen to him, perhaps the war would have not gone as it did. He writes the real deal because he is the real deal; one of the few proud and brave, a United States Marine. To Killer Kane I say, Semper Fi!
October 13, 2016
Truly great memoir
I loved how the author not only subjectively write this book but how things affected him, his humor in it and kept to his timeline very well. I enjoyed reading of his time in RVN and his state side duties. Very, VERY week written and will not disappoint the reader.
I loved how the author not only subjectively write this book but how things affected him, his humor in it and kept to his timeline very well. I enjoyed reading of his time in RVN and his state side duties. Very, VERY week written and will not disappoint the reader.
August 31, 2016
Wow!
I am thankful our Lord has blessed us with warriors like Andy who have served our country with passion. I am proud to live under the protection of such a dedicated and faithful warrior. Thank you for the book and thank you for your service to our country.
I am thankful our Lord has blessed us with warriors like Andy who have served our country with passion. I am proud to live under the protection of such a dedicated and faithful warrior. Thank you for the book and thank you for your service to our country.
February 1, 2017
OK
A story that he needed to tell. To much political profiling at the end. Just let the reader be the judge. Does show media as it is today. Selling but not telling the whole story.
A story that he needed to tell. To much political profiling at the end. Just let the reader be the judge. Does show media as it is today. Selling but not telling the whole story.
May 23, 2021
Recon Marine first tour of RSVN.
Very interesting 13 month first tour of Vietnam. Naval Academy Grad, Marine Officer and Combat proven leader.
Tells it like it was during first tour in the bush. Good read,
Great personal story.
Very interesting 13 month first tour of Vietnam. Naval Academy Grad, Marine Officer and Combat proven leader.
Tells it like it was during first tour in the bush. Good read,
Great personal story.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews