Young Soldiers Amazing Warriors: Inside One of the Most Highly Decorated Battalions of Vietnam

by Robert H. Sholly, William M. Hammond (Editor), Gordon R. Sullivan (Foreword)

This book is the story of my men and me, our actions and those of our brothers in a combat rifle battalion during its first year in Vietnam. The 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, along with other battalions of the 4th Infantry Division, were thrust into the infamous Ia Drang Valley and involved in similar battles as have been portrayed on the popular screen. The accounts of the early firefights and clashes as the battalion moved from peace to war are compelling and filled with anguish. This powerful war story is taken directly from the daily journal kept by the author. Page after page depicts dramatic eye-witness stories of boys become veteran soldiers and amazing warriors, as they recount the riveting events of their war. These battles sustained great loss of life on both sides as America's young men were tested time and again. There are events many veterans cannot talk about to this day, but they trusted the author to get their story told and it has been done with vision and respect. Many heroic men battled in the raging bloody and horrific fights and four of them were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions. This book describes the courage, heroism, and valor of these young soldiers the United States sent to war. Tragically, too many did not come back.

460 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 20, 2013

Reviews

[Ed]

Great account of leadership.

I served as an RTO in the 3/8 4th Divison during the battles around Dak To and Kontum, in 1967, which the author refer to towards the end of his book. Mr. School's account of how a soldier will follow great leadership is true. Great leaders make exceptional soldiers, and the same held true for my unit.
This book is a great read, and shows life as a combat soldier, both during and after time spent in Vietnam.

[Nick Ueber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have read many first person novels about the war in Viet Nam and this was an excellent narrative. You got a very good feeling for the life of the soldier at the squad and platoon level as well as the multiple responsibilities of a company commander. Sholley does a good job of making the reader feel the monotony, terror and deprivation of the everyday grunt. His soldiers can be proud of his portrayal of their bravery and sacrifice.

[Dorcas brekel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for your service!

I really appreciate you recording the events and experiences you had while serving our country during your first tour in Vietnam. If wars could be avoided we would be so much better off. Maybe your book will provide the extra bit of information to possibly avoid a war in the future. I appreciate learning what the Vietnam war was like from your perspective.