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Absolution: Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry
Fresh out of Infantry OCS, 2nd Lieutenant Dennis Riley gets a reality check when he joins his platoon in the Hobo Woods, south of Cui Chi, home of the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam. It was a blistering hot August in 1967 when he met the men of the Third Platoon, Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry. By nightfall they are in contact with elements of the 272nd NVA and the blood letting seldom takes a break for the next twelve months. Dennis and his men are frequently ambushed, mortared and booby trapped, but by New Year’s 1967/68 they are ready for the fight of their life at Fire Support Base Burt, north of Tay Ninh, astride the Cambodian border. The 2nd Battalion (Mech) and the 3rd Battalion hold off the combined assaults of four North Vietnamese regiments killing over 600 of the enemy by daybreak. Absolution vividly describes the carnage and American heroism of that battlefield using the eyewitness accounts of helicopter gunship and medivac pilots, platoon leaders, sergeants and the fighting men. Now a First Lieutenant, Dennis Riley is selected to command Charlie Company, badly demoralized after losing twelve killed and dozens wounded at Burt. At the onset of the Tet Offensive, ten more gallant Americans die as Riley and his company slug it out during sixteen days of frontal assaults against an entrenched enemy at the village of Ap Cho, south of Cui Chi. The description of this battle is as close to combat as you can get without having been there. And if you were there... anywhere in Vietnam, thank you and God Bless you! April 12, 1968 was Good Friday, but the 3rd Battalion saw nothing good about a regiment of NVA screaming across their positions in the middle of the night. They paid dearly for it, losing hundreds of their Communists attackers to the 22nd Infantry. It fell to hand to hand combat, bayonet for bayonet... all night long. One hundred, fifty three NVA died within the perimeter. In the aftermath of that carnage and the loss of so many lives, Dennis Riley grows disenchanted with the war. He is quietly reassigned to administrative duties, eventually retuning to America in late 1968. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder steals his mind and his soul as he wanders the country aimlessly, grieving the loss of so many of his men. We find Dennis astride a Texas railroad track as a fast moving Western Pacific freight train bears down on his car. Few books can get you as close to combat and the men who sacrificed so much in Vietnam as “Absolution” does. It is action packed and factual. You’ll shed a tear or two as you travel those deadly battlefields with Dennis Riley, Charlie Company, and the 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry. If you want to know what PTSD is all about, how it effects all fighting men, and how to resolve it; this book may be a very big help to you.
468 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 16, 2013
63 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 26, 2015
A wonderful and inspiring book
A wonderful and inspiring book about Vietnam. As an Air Force veteran I didn't have to endure the horrific battles and conditions as described but also lost many friends. The "Wall" indeed brings healing and comfort. The last chapter of this book couldn't have been said it better.
A wonderful and inspiring book about Vietnam. As an Air Force veteran I didn't have to endure the horrific battles and conditions as described but also lost many friends. The "Wall" indeed brings healing and comfort. The last chapter of this book couldn't have been said it better.
April 9, 2016
I have read many books about Viet Nam and this is a pretty good version. The descriptions of the battles and the men who fought them are stirring and realistic. However, a lot of the dialogue is a little hokey and reads more like fiction but does not hurt the overall story telling.
April 21, 2016
An engaging Vietnam War novel and one that should be read by all potential infantry officers. Through his protagonist, Lt. Dennis Riley, the author shows us how a new OCS graduate grows from an unsure platoon leader to a confident company commander. Lt. Riley learned how to lead his troops while being coached by the most senior sergeant in the company while battling the enemy near Dau Tieng in early 1968. He truly cared for his men and took it personal when they were injured or killed. This guilt stayed with him for more than 30 yrs after the war and almost ruined his life.
As a company commander, he led Charlie Company during major battles, their successes outperforming the other companies in the Battalion. I also found how difficult it was for a commander to follow the sometimes insane orders from his bosses that resulted in loss of lives, and then convincing his subordinates that it was the right thing to do. They trusted him and would follow him anywhere! I knew that this period of time was also the onset of the 68 Tet offensive and Charlie Company was continuously forced to fight without artillery or air support because the assets were needed elsewhere - although it was never explained why. It was easy for the troops to lose faith in their leaders when promises are broken, but Lt. Riley kept his people motivated and together.
The battle for Ap Co was similar to many other hill fights in Vietnam like Dak To and Hamburger Hill - the relentless uphill assaults that killed many and lasted for days. Then were eventually vacated after counting the bodies and searching for information. There is no mention in the book, but the battle at the firebase on Easter Friday was depicted in the movie "Platoon" as Oliver Stone was in that same battalion.
Lt. Dennis Riley's speech near the end of the book where he addresses the audience during one of the first veteran reunions he attended in Washington DC is a piece of work. His heartfelt words hit home and sent chills up my spine as he tried to make amends for all the injustice suffered by Vietnam Vets over the past decades. After reading it the second time, I had the same results.
Absolution is highly recommended and offers readers a first hand look at the insanity of war and the brotherhood shared by those who fought to protect one another. Great job Mr. Boyle! Thank you for your service and Welcome Home, sir!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
As a company commander, he led Charlie Company during major battles, their successes outperforming the other companies in the Battalion. I also found how difficult it was for a commander to follow the sometimes insane orders from his bosses that resulted in loss of lives, and then convincing his subordinates that it was the right thing to do. They trusted him and would follow him anywhere! I knew that this period of time was also the onset of the 68 Tet offensive and Charlie Company was continuously forced to fight without artillery or air support because the assets were needed elsewhere - although it was never explained why. It was easy for the troops to lose faith in their leaders when promises are broken, but Lt. Riley kept his people motivated and together.
The battle for Ap Co was similar to many other hill fights in Vietnam like Dak To and Hamburger Hill - the relentless uphill assaults that killed many and lasted for days. Then were eventually vacated after counting the bodies and searching for information. There is no mention in the book, but the battle at the firebase on Easter Friday was depicted in the movie "Platoon" as Oliver Stone was in that same battalion.
Lt. Dennis Riley's speech near the end of the book where he addresses the audience during one of the first veteran reunions he attended in Washington DC is a piece of work. His heartfelt words hit home and sent chills up my spine as he tried to make amends for all the injustice suffered by Vietnam Vets over the past decades. After reading it the second time, I had the same results.
Absolution is highly recommended and offers readers a first hand look at the insanity of war and the brotherhood shared by those who fought to protect one another. Great job Mr. Boyle! Thank you for your service and Welcome Home, sir!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
September 8, 2015
Excellent account of survival during and after the fire fights
Well written and true to life account of the everyday survival of an infantry soldier in Vietnam. I,myself, served with the Bravo 3/8 4TH Division during this period ( 11/4/67 to 11/6/68) in the Central Highlands as an RTO. Our unit was aware of the battle at Ap Cho. I would highly recommend this book to all ........especially those cowards that didn't serve.
Well written and true to life account of the everyday survival of an infantry soldier in Vietnam. I,myself, served with the Bravo 3/8 4TH Division during this period ( 11/4/67 to 11/6/68) in the Central Highlands as an RTO. Our unit was aware of the battle at Ap Cho. I would highly recommend this book to all ........especially those cowards that didn't serve.
July 20, 2015
My thoughts
Reading this book was the most awe inspiring I have
Read to this point on Vietnam war. I had served in the army with the 18th AIRBORNE Corp during the war 63-66 but was not sent to Vietnam. I wasn't there but I still care.Not a day passes that I do not think about the war veterans and their struggles to carry on. Please read it you will never forget it.
Reading this book was the most awe inspiring I have
Read to this point on Vietnam war. I had served in the army with the 18th AIRBORNE Corp during the war 63-66 but was not sent to Vietnam. I wasn't there but I still care.Not a day passes that I do not think about the war veterans and their struggles to carry on. Please read it you will never forget it.
May 10, 2015
Vietnam Ground War
During the Vietnam War, I was a REMF who worked on Navy attack aircraft trying to keep 'em flying. It was good reading this, I never had a real understanding of what the ground war was like. God Bless you all!
During the Vietnam War, I was a REMF who worked on Navy attack aircraft trying to keep 'em flying. It was good reading this, I never had a real understanding of what the ground war was like. God Bless you all!
December 29, 2015
Awesome account of battle and the aftermath. I can only imagine how it was for those soldiers. The physical and mental toll of fighting and losing friends is detailed in a manner that us who have never been there can appreciate.
February 24, 2015
This book is by far the best book I have read regarding the infantry soldier in Vietnam! From the first page I was drawn into the characters. I highly recommend this book!
September 6, 2016
Amazing testimony to America, Americans in battle & a testimony to the Military who won the war that the politicians lost!
July 1, 2017
I found the story a bit hard to follow until I finished. I was able to follow the story but I couldn’t help but think why is the writing style changing. It does because the story is written by several of the men who served during this time period.
I was not familiar with this battle. I’d seen the name Ap Cho and Cui Chi but never paid them much attention. I had no idea how intense of a battle accorded in the corridor until today.
Charlies Company of the 3rd battalion, 22nd Army endured some of the most intense infantry combat operation I’ve read to date.
I would compare it to the German attempts to take Stalingrad without the heavy air and artillery support the Germans could call upon. Obviously, this battle didn’t last two and-a-half months, but the combat was just as fierce. Command knew the VC and NVA were there. What they didn’t know is how well dug-in and fortified their positions were prepared. Charlie was going to find out and pay a high price.
The story opens with Lt. Riley trying to figure out how to inform Jimmy Holt’s parents how he died. In his mind, he’d love to tell them exactly what happened and how gruesome and senseless his death was. Poor planning and failed intelligent had led his platoon and the 3rd battalion into another head-on assault against Ap Cho. The result was the same-more men died and the objective was still not captured, nor would it in the near future if they didn’t’ get adequate, air, artillery and armor support. In the end, with the help of First Sergeant Krznarich, he was able to come up with form letter that allowed him to bypass the gore and hopefully let the Holt’s know their son died fighting for his country and buddies. In the end, it’s only a letter. I don’t know why, but that sentence is one of the most disturbing and brilliant I’ve come across in describing the futility and mismanagement of the entire Vietnam War. I can see Johnson and McNamara making similar comments.
From this point on, the story only intensifies.
As I stated before, it’s not best flowing book about this war, but once you’re finished, you will have time to reflect and fully appreciate all the men who fought and died in this deadly struggle.
A few grammatical errors, but nothing to interrupt the flow
Four and-a-half stars
I was not familiar with this battle. I’d seen the name Ap Cho and Cui Chi but never paid them much attention. I had no idea how intense of a battle accorded in the corridor until today.
Charlies Company of the 3rd battalion, 22nd Army endured some of the most intense infantry combat operation I’ve read to date.
I would compare it to the German attempts to take Stalingrad without the heavy air and artillery support the Germans could call upon. Obviously, this battle didn’t last two and-a-half months, but the combat was just as fierce. Command knew the VC and NVA were there. What they didn’t know is how well dug-in and fortified their positions were prepared. Charlie was going to find out and pay a high price.
The story opens with Lt. Riley trying to figure out how to inform Jimmy Holt’s parents how he died. In his mind, he’d love to tell them exactly what happened and how gruesome and senseless his death was. Poor planning and failed intelligent had led his platoon and the 3rd battalion into another head-on assault against Ap Cho. The result was the same-more men died and the objective was still not captured, nor would it in the near future if they didn’t’ get adequate, air, artillery and armor support. In the end, with the help of First Sergeant Krznarich, he was able to come up with form letter that allowed him to bypass the gore and hopefully let the Holt’s know their son died fighting for his country and buddies. In the end, it’s only a letter. I don’t know why, but that sentence is one of the most disturbing and brilliant I’ve come across in describing the futility and mismanagement of the entire Vietnam War. I can see Johnson and McNamara making similar comments.
From this point on, the story only intensifies.
As I stated before, it’s not best flowing book about this war, but once you’re finished, you will have time to reflect and fully appreciate all the men who fought and died in this deadly struggle.
A few grammatical errors, but nothing to interrupt the flow
Four and-a-half stars
August 29, 2017
The Best Book About The Vietnam War
I have read more than 100 books about the Vietnam War. This is by far the
Best and most honest. I do, however, take exception to the scapegoating of the news media that covered the war. Generally, I believe, they did their difficult job well, but granted, not always accurately or honestly. Neither did we always fight it with integrity. Yes, the Communist won because we were fighting on their ground. We fought for twelve or thirteen months; they fought for a lifetime. And, today Vietnam is a better country than it would have been had we won. If you don't believe that, go there and live for a year as I did.
I have read more than 100 books about the Vietnam War. This is by far the
Best and most honest. I do, however, take exception to the scapegoating of the news media that covered the war. Generally, I believe, they did their difficult job well, but granted, not always accurately or honestly. Neither did we always fight it with integrity. Yes, the Communist won because we were fighting on their ground. We fought for twelve or thirteen months; they fought for a lifetime. And, today Vietnam is a better country than it would have been had we won. If you don't believe that, go there and live for a year as I did.
July 26, 2022
Best historical Vietnam war book I've read
This book is so amazing. It is the best personal war memoir I have read to date. I have read many. I found it hard to put down. Be prepared with a something to dry your eyes while reading. Very intense and so sad ! I gained so much respect for the men in green. The Vietnam veterans will forever be in my heart. All Americans are so proud of you! Thanks for sharing your story. I shall buy a hard copy to share with my friends and family. God Bless you GI ! You shall meet your fellow men in arms upstairs some day. I know this to be true, my friends.
This book is so amazing. It is the best personal war memoir I have read to date. I have read many. I found it hard to put down. Be prepared with a something to dry your eyes while reading. Very intense and so sad ! I gained so much respect for the men in green. The Vietnam veterans will forever be in my heart. All Americans are so proud of you! Thanks for sharing your story. I shall buy a hard copy to share with my friends and family. God Bless you GI ! You shall meet your fellow men in arms upstairs some day. I know this to be true, my friends.
June 27, 2018
A MUST Read for enyone who lived during those years.
I learned so much about the war from reading this book. It was so well written I could not imagine not finishing every page. I love knowing how the men who came back met and married and had families, and went on with their lives. I hated each time one of them was killed. It made me very emotional, but for that reason, it brought me up to speed on a very sad time in our AMerican history.
I learned so much about the war from reading this book. It was so well written I could not imagine not finishing every page. I love knowing how the men who came back met and married and had families, and went on with their lives. I hated each time one of them was killed. It made me very emotional, but for that reason, it brought me up to speed on a very sad time in our AMerican history.
July 26, 2018
They Suffered
I'm giving this book a five star rating because it's been a long time since a book brought me to tears. This one did. So sad, so many lives lost. When I die and go to hell I want to meet LBJ, Westmoreland, Macnamara and General LaHue. I want to kick their their asses for eternity. Seller Fi
I'm giving this book a five star rating because it's been a long time since a book brought me to tears. This one did. So sad, so many lives lost. When I die and go to hell I want to meet LBJ, Westmoreland, Macnamara and General LaHue. I want to kick their their asses for eternity. Seller Fi
October 12, 2018
Charlie Company
Spell binding realism, only someone who was there could write this story with the gut wrenching, vivid realism, of this book. I have read several other Vietnam Nam War books none does more to give the reader a vivid picture of combat and a soldiers life in that war!
Spell binding realism, only someone who was there could write this story with the gut wrenching, vivid realism, of this book. I have read several other Vietnam Nam War books none does more to give the reader a vivid picture of combat and a soldiers life in that war!
August 5, 2018
Just read it
I can’t add anything to this story, so just read it yourself, I cried at the end , if you can’t then you never shouldered a ruck and slung an m16 , just my opinion, I was 11C10
I can’t add anything to this story, so just read it yourself, I cried at the end , if you can’t then you never shouldered a ruck and slung an m16 , just my opinion, I was 11C10
August 20, 2018
Opened the flood gates of my sorrow over the losses in Viet Nam.
Could not put this book down after beginning the read. It just opened my heart and let my sorrows drain away. I now feel somewhat whole again.
Could not put this book down after beginning the read. It just opened my heart and let my sorrows drain away. I now feel somewhat whole again.
June 9, 2022
More than accurate
As a member of the 25th Division from January 1968 to January 1969, it is surreal to read this novel. Though not a grunt, I served for sometime at Dau Tieng, and was there on the 4th of July 1968. This book makes me even prouder to be a Vietnam Veteran.
As a member of the 25th Division from January 1968 to January 1969, it is surreal to read this novel. Though not a grunt, I served for sometime at Dau Tieng, and was there on the 4th of July 1968. This book makes me even prouder to be a Vietnam Veteran.
October 3, 2017
Great read
The writer takes you through the war and the mental as well as physical stresses placed on the men. Highly recommended
The writer takes you through the war and the mental as well as physical stresses placed on the men. Highly recommended
September 11, 2018
A must to read!
This book has some gruesome descriptions along with some funny things that took place also. Alot of feelings come through loud and clear.
This book has some gruesome descriptions along with some funny things that took place also. Alot of feelings come through loud and clear.
May 25, 2019
Storias I read it
Very enlightening tells much of Vietnam as I remember the story was written in a way that kept you from wanting to put the book down a real good read
Very enlightening tells much of Vietnam as I remember the story was written in a way that kept you from wanting to put the book down a real good read
September 24, 2016
War is hell!
I like 1st hand accounts. Bring back the draft and the 1st to go would be the sons and daughters of the politicians who decide war is the answer. I marvel how the soldiers in this book followed orders which was probably a death notice. I always knew the media portrayed a narrative that they wanted. It's all special forces now but I still believe it's the only solid military in the world.Lyndon Johnson was responsible for the carnage along with the generals. There perfectly happy as long as it's not there kids
I like 1st hand accounts. Bring back the draft and the 1st to go would be the sons and daughters of the politicians who decide war is the answer. I marvel how the soldiers in this book followed orders which was probably a death notice. I always knew the media portrayed a narrative that they wanted. It's all special forces now but I still believe it's the only solid military in the world.Lyndon Johnson was responsible for the carnage along with the generals. There perfectly happy as long as it's not there kids
July 12, 2014
Oh Lord.
As a vet,I have read a multitude of books by vets. This is the most moving novel I've ever had t honor to read. It left me in tears a number of times.. Without a doubt is the best depiction of the insanity of that madness I've ever read. There simply not enough stars to rate it. I'm hopeful I've also lost some sleep demons.
As a vet,I have read a multitude of books by vets. This is the most moving novel I've ever had t honor to read. It left me in tears a number of times.. Without a doubt is the best depiction of the insanity of that madness I've ever read. There simply not enough stars to rate it. I'm hopeful I've also lost some sleep demons.
October 24, 2015
AN eye opener
Best book ever written on a very controversial topic .
Worked with many vets, and as a police officer, I had the honor of working with and supervising these
Great men after they returned from the war.
Best book ever written on a very controversial topic .
Worked with many vets, and as a police officer, I had the honor of working with and supervising these
Great men after they returned from the war.
June 27, 2016
This book was excellent. You may cry and thats ok Sometimes the past can be haunting but remember the men and how bravely sr.
They served. They will be forgotten. Some people won't understand but others will. We served,we fought, and that memory will stay with. Be proud.
They served. They will be forgotten. Some people won't understand but others will. We served,we fought, and that memory will stay with. Be proud.
June 3, 2016
An interesting enough read but overly long and quite repetitive to be honest.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews