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A Walk in the Park: A Vietnam Comedy
Odon L. Bacque Jr. figures his poor eyesight rules him out for the draft, not to mention the fact that he's studying law in college, so the young man doesn't worry too much about the war raging in Vietnam. But when his law school requests he doesn't return, Bacque learns just how wrong he was.
Still convinced his eyesight—or rather the lack of it—disqualifies him from a combat position, he learns once again he’s mistaken. Sent through Officer Candidate School, he winds up assigned to the 5th Special Forces…the Green Berets.
Once in Vietnam, Bacque prepares for the worst—only to have fate finally cut him some slack. Reassigned from an A team back to a B team, he finds himself removed from the front lines and ordered to perform a task better suited to an accounting major, a course he barely passed in college. Still, it beat trying to survive jungle warfare with a serious vision impairment…
A Walk in the A Vietnam Comedy charts Bacque's experiences in Vietnam along with his growing disillusionment with the war's management. Funny without being disrespectful, his story offers a surprisingly comedic look at wartime service.
Still convinced his eyesight—or rather the lack of it—disqualifies him from a combat position, he learns once again he’s mistaken. Sent through Officer Candidate School, he winds up assigned to the 5th Special Forces…the Green Berets.
Once in Vietnam, Bacque prepares for the worst—only to have fate finally cut him some slack. Reassigned from an A team back to a B team, he finds himself removed from the front lines and ordered to perform a task better suited to an accounting major, a course he barely passed in college. Still, it beat trying to survive jungle warfare with a serious vision impairment…
A Walk in the A Vietnam Comedy charts Bacque's experiences in Vietnam along with his growing disillusionment with the war's management. Funny without being disrespectful, his story offers a surprisingly comedic look at wartime service.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 25, 2013
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16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 9, 2016
Truth, at times makes us uncomfortable , BUT .....
Sincere and Honest declaration of his experiences in Vietnam.
He successfully combined the feelings in his heart, with the
thoughts in his head.
Sincere and Honest declaration of his experiences in Vietnam.
He successfully combined the feelings in his heart, with the
thoughts in his head.
April 26, 2014
Enjoyable read
a first hand
True story about a soldier's experience in the Vietnamese war told by the soldier. This soldier was one of the lucky ones.
a first hand
True story about a soldier's experience in the Vietnamese war told by the soldier. This soldier was one of the lucky ones.
May 28, 2019
Highlights of a Low time
Being a veteran of that war I wanted to read about someone elses experience and the title intrigued me. I couldn't imagine that time as a comedy, I stand corrected. It is good to read the story of a man who didn't want to fight and managed to succeed as a Green Beanie. My thanks and appreciation to the author. Definitely a good read.
Being a veteran of that war I wanted to read about someone elses experience and the title intrigued me. I couldn't imagine that time as a comedy, I stand corrected. It is good to read the story of a man who didn't want to fight and managed to succeed as a Green Beanie. My thanks and appreciation to the author. Definitely a good read.
November 1, 2021
I was inspired to read this book because I work with the author's daughter, who is a brilliant delight. I enjoyed this particular walk in the park. The subtitle might seem misleading, but think of it as Bacque's take on a comedy of errors rather than a laugh riot. He is bemused throughout his tour of duty, and his compassionate, ironic observations come thorugh a lens of clarity about the gravity of his situation. I'm so glad that his daughter told me about this book because I learned a lot, I see where she gets her exceptional worldview and humor, and, because the two of my six favorite uncles (my mother's brothers) who had tours in Vietnam rarely talk about their experiences, I came to understand why they don't discuss that time.
June 14, 2025
Being a veteran who was lucky enough not to go to Vietnam.
I saw many instances of officers who were supposed to lead, but had no idea how.
There was always a lot of drinking on and off base. And reading Mr Bacque's account of his tour in Vietnam fit fine with me.
There was always the gunt who hate the rear echelon people. Sometimes it comes down to the luck of the draw.
It must have been scary to first think your eyesight was so bad that it kept you out of Vietnam, only to end up there.
Mr. Bacque's sense of humor saw him through a lot of bad situations.
It was interesting to get the viewpoint from someone who tried his level best to stay out of the jungle.
I saw many instances of officers who were supposed to lead, but had no idea how.
There was always a lot of drinking on and off base. And reading Mr Bacque's account of his tour in Vietnam fit fine with me.
There was always the gunt who hate the rear echelon people. Sometimes it comes down to the luck of the draw.
It must have been scary to first think your eyesight was so bad that it kept you out of Vietnam, only to end up there.
Mr. Bacque's sense of humor saw him through a lot of bad situations.
It was interesting to get the viewpoint from someone who tried his level best to stay out of the jungle.
January 30, 2023
unbelievable
An ordinary, boring story. It made no sense to me how GI’s had their own rooms, showers and flushing toilets out in the boonies!!! It’s ludicrous.
What a cake tour he had. And he was a Special Forces Green Beret.
Hard to believe.
I did a tour in Vietnam about the same months as he. I was at Ton Son Nhut and we had mortar and rockets thrown at us nightly.
An ordinary, boring story. It made no sense to me how GI’s had their own rooms, showers and flushing toilets out in the boonies!!! It’s ludicrous.
What a cake tour he had. And he was a Special Forces Green Beret.
Hard to believe.
I did a tour in Vietnam about the same months as he. I was at Ton Son Nhut and we had mortar and rockets thrown at us nightly.
October 25, 2020
How Special Forces really operated
I liked Bacque's book! I liked his honesty and desire to do a good job. He lets you know how Special Forces operated in Vietnam. Also the weaknesses they had like alcohol. A more advanced enemy could of taken advantage of this and wiped the whole bunch off the face of the earth!
I liked Bacque's book! I liked his honesty and desire to do a good job. He lets you know how Special Forces operated in Vietnam. Also the weaknesses they had like alcohol. A more advanced enemy could of taken advantage of this and wiped the whole bunch off the face of the earth!
March 2, 2018
A Good Read.
Having been in the service during the Vietnam War this was a fun read. I can re!are to his Walk in the Park. Four years in the Air Force and never seeing a plane I feel like I had a Walk in the Park too. Thank You Odon Bacque for writing this book.
Having been in the service during the Vietnam War this was a fun read. I can re!are to his Walk in the Park. Four years in the Air Force and never seeing a plane I feel like I had a Walk in the Park too. Thank You Odon Bacque for writing this book.
July 15, 2019
Pussy in the Rear
Why did Mr. Bacque write this memoir? Why did some company publish this boring, nonsensical, uninformed tale of cowardice? The fact that someone made a dime or a difference from this manuscript is appalling!!
Why did Mr. Bacque write this memoir? Why did some company publish this boring, nonsensical, uninformed tale of cowardice? The fact that someone made a dime or a difference from this manuscript is appalling!!
January 17, 2018
A new perspective
An extremely entertaining side show of the big show.
1969 to 1970 in the rear, but close enough to the front to have a wide view.
An extremely entertaining side show of the big show.
1969 to 1970 in the rear, but close enough to the front to have a wide view.
February 4, 2018
Interesting view..
This was an interesting perspective. I have always wondered about the non - combatants in Vietnam. There is a need for their support.
This was an interesting perspective. I have always wondered about the non - combatants in Vietnam. There is a need for their support.
December 1, 2023
No pretenses. The author stated his desires up front and told his story. Very little person to person battling, but honest entertainment.
May 19, 2020
Enjoyable read! Served in Vietnam Nam during same time period and could relate to every detail.
I too served in the rear having the honor of supporting the heroes on the front lines.
Thanks Don for sharing your experiences and thanks for serving!
I too served in the rear having the honor of supporting the heroes on the front lines.
Thanks Don for sharing your experiences and thanks for serving!
May 29, 2016
Drinking your way through a war
An interesting story from a guy who never pretended he was a hero. It is honest to the point that you really don't like him.
An interesting story from a guy who never pretended he was a hero. It is honest to the point that you really don't like him.
April 1, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed it !! Being an Army Brat, as well as, working for the Army (civilian nurse) it made me understand more of what went on during the Vietnam war and getting there.
April 19, 2017
Really a good story about Vietnam
Interesting way to spend a year - almost as varied as my year, from grunt to postal 6 months each - found the awards part interesting as I received a BS' V with rank as a factor. Enjoyed the read, thanks.
Interesting way to spend a year - almost as varied as my year, from grunt to postal 6 months each - found the awards part interesting as I received a BS' V with rank as a factor. Enjoyed the read, thanks.
April 28, 2017
Walk in the park
Very interesting read. Brought back many memories of my time with 5th Group in 1968. Mentioned one of my SFQC classmates.
Very interesting read. Brought back many memories of my time with 5th Group in 1968. Mentioned one of my SFQC classmates.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews