Vietnam War Diary: As Told by a Combat Infantryman

by Jasper Catanzaro

This is a first-hand account of a war the U.S. should not have entered. It is easy to read from the first page to the last, and gives some history of Vietnam and the ignored warning signs. It is written by a combat infantryman, or “grunt,” in the 5th Battalion 7th Cavalry, a battalion formed to join the other battalions of the 1st Cavalry Division’s airmobile operations.

He, along with a core group of soldiers who trained together for over eight months, was sent to Vietnam in August 1966, a “band of brothers” mostly made up of draftees. Over the next year, the unit saw numerous encounters with both the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army. In one battle, his company was literally wiped out. The bravery of these soldiers was shown by the numerous awards given to them, including one Medal of Honor winner.

Reading through the daily accounts, you will see why the 1968 TET offensive occurred, given what happened in 1967. You will read about the bravery of soldiers fighting for a country that didn’t want them there. You’ll read about the daily movements of soldiers from one firebase to another, using these soldiers as bait to draw out the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army in hopes of winning by attrition, or what was known as “body count.”

So, take a walk in a grunt’s boots as you journey through the pages of this diary.

“Jasper has been talking about writing this book ever since we came home. I was with him from Basic Training through most of our time in Vietnam and to the end of the book. We are still special friends today, formed by a special bond that only combat soldiers know.” ~ Mike Beaupre

“A story that needed to be told by someone I was with.” Larry Miller

345 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2024

Reviews

[Erinn SHreves · Rating 5 out of 5]

must read!

My grandpa was in Vietnam and didn’t talk about it for years. It wasn’t until he went to the reunions he started to open up about his experience. Jasper, thank you for giving me some insight into what he went through. My grandpa is Rich Rebholz, who is mentioned in this book. I’m so sorry for all the lost lives in a war we had no business being as you mention but I’m also thankful for all the men and women that serve our country!

[Steve Hanna Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book.

From one end of the spectrum to the other of what a disaster it was. From the hero's in the bush to the thieves in the rear. Fothe 58000 plus lives lost so we all can go to a store today and buy products made in Viet Nam. Meals made for WW2 personal overseas and fed to soldiers in Viet Jam in the 1960s. What a disgusting disgrace. Every politician that was in office And was respondsible for those years should have been air dropped into that jungle.

[Les Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vietnam War dairy

I spent all of 1968 in nam, with E co. 701st maintanance Bn. 1st Inf. Div. I never saw combat but read many experiences from the meny that fought that war. This book, I believe is a truthful and honest account from a from an honest trooper.

[Bill Clinton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was boring and redundant. I realize it was written as a diary account but count the times he wrote he was writing LETTERS. I was in Vietnam and know that many days can be boring, but when I read books about Vietnam and like more action and less redundancy.

[matthew w gardner]

Well done

A very detailed memory of the war. Great description of the suffering and misery. Also a well told story of how The army made it worse.

[Susan Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Read

This book got me in its grip from Start to Finish. I was born in 61 so didn’t have any memories of this was , except pow/mia bracelets . I’m so sorry this war happened!