Infantry Life: Vietnam's Central Highlands, 1966 - 1967

by Dennis M. Witt

Firefights, mortar attacks, and friendly fire were all part of the experiences of an infantryman in the jungles of the Central Highlands of Vietnam. But bugs, leeches, exhaustion, swamps, accidents, snakes, C-rations, digging in, cutting overhead cover, grief, humor, camaraderie, rain, thirst, impressive weapons, useless weapons, care packages, and much, much more filled up most of the infantryman's one-year tour in Vietnam.

Daily life as an infantryman in Vietnam was a completely foreign experience compared to the lives most young American soldiers knew growing up. The war and the jungle saw to that. Soldiers had to cope and adapt. Almost all did.

In this book, the author tells many stories of events he personally experienced during his year in Vietnam. Through these stories, he aptly describes the daily life and shared experiences of soldiers in the 4th Infantry Division in the jungles of Vietnam's Central Highlands.

Anyone who has a personal connection with someone who served as an infantryman in Vietnam or simply has curiosity about infantry life in Vietnam will better understand, after reading this book, the answer to the question "What was daily life like for them there?"

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 11, 2024

Reviews

[Carlton Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great memoir

Mr Witt's memories of his year in Vietnam was not just details about firefights.
His memories were more about how crazy the war was fought and his different jobs he was transferred to.
He told us about the jobs that had to be done setting up a fire base and maintaining it.
You felt the mud from the rainy season. Sticking to your boots, equipment and your body. You slept in mud and water most of your time in the boonies. Your shirts and pants would rot from staying wet.
But mainly I felt he spent more time remembering his friends and how their deaths affected him and his company.
You were never far away from the deaths that happened almost every day.
He gave us a look into one year of his life and I am thank for this.

[BETSY RICHGELS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good!!!

My husband served in Vietnam as a grunt in the central highlands. It helped to answer some questions I had. We both are from the same town in Wisconsin. I've been to Kenosha. Thanks for writing the book. Glad you made it back. Like I said you filled in alot. Thanks again. God bless.

[Larry Butler]

Well done, Dennis Witt!

A good and honest book written by a good and honest soldier. Welcome home Dennis and thank you for your clear perspectives and interesting descriptions of what an infantryman's life was like in Vietnam. Excellent read!!

[thomas waltimire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read

One soldiers memories of his time in Vietnam and from his story he was one lucky guy. Never saw much action, not wounded except for a scorpion bite. Glad he made it home.😁😁

[Angie Templeton jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍

That's how every veteran deserves to come home 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 the Nam vets went served fought and did everything right as to how they were raised just like generations beforehand 👍👍👍

[Ron Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book as to telling what it was like to be an infantry soldier humping through the Central Highlands. Good explanation of a typical day or week. Glad to see that some groups did not get hurt during their time. Read it too understand what it could be like in Viet Nam.

[William D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Read But Only One Battle Involved With Author

It’s a goof read about a grunts life as a RTO but only involved one battle experience he was in! I like books about grunts fighting experiences but this one disappointed me!

[Jon Knapmiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Job Dennis!!

This was a great read and a nice collection of stories. It was very well done and would recommend it for anyone.

[Sue Meek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fun and easy to read

Good story. Very glad that he survived. Thank you for your service. Lots of guys didn’t make it home. Thanks

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the everyday life of a soldier in Vietnam. The book is both entertaining and informative. Great work Dennis.

[Tom Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I have many first hand VN books and this seemed to have Avery different perspective. An enjoyable read about a unique veteran.

[Roger L. Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story!

No flash n dash here. Just a grunt telling his story. I enjoyed it immensely because I could relate to so much.

[Daniel McLain · Rating 3 out of 5]

AS IT WAS

Very good recall for lots of unimportant experiences. Not very exciting, hence the rating of three. I’m glad you made it home.

[S Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read, and whilst not as action packed as some reads, it presents a detailed diary of what it was like for the average "grunt" on the ground in Nam.
Would strongly recommend!!

[John McLaren · Rating 4 out of 5]

John’s thoughts

A great summary of a young Soldier in Vietnam…. Riveting and broken down into sizable bites for ready consumption. Well done!

[Richard A Lambing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read, for information being almost 60 years old.

[Frank Leppa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasant reading, no rough language.

An interesting view of infantry radio operator in the field and the company home base. Refreshing and a change from the usual.

[Jen&Jude Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

infantry life

Very educational experience about what it was really like to serve in Vietnam. I’m glad he went and got to come home safe.