Walking Point: An Infantryman's Untold Story

by Michael H. Cunningham, Kirby Heyborne (Narrator)

Que Son Valley is actually a large area of hills and valleys just to the west of Da Nang, Viet Nam. During the 1960s, units from the United States Marines and United States Army engaged the 2nd North Vietnamese Division in heavy and close combat. Our mission was to keep the enemy from capturing the cities of Da Nang, Tam Ky and Chu Lai and to pacify the area. We did prevent the enemy from capturing these vital cities but, the area was far from pacified. Many young, brave Americans were killed or seriously wounded in these hills and valleys in the belief they were helping the Vietnamese obtain freedom and peace. Although our altruistic beliefs might have gone astray, it was my honor serving with these fine men and women. I wrote this book in honor of them and to keep their memory alive. I hope that, when you read this book, you will understand the Vietnam Veteran better and you will understand, not the political Vietnam War, but the Vietnam War that an Infantryman lived through.

Genres: Nonfiction

291 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2016

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting personal memoir of an infantryman's tour with the Americal Division in Vietnam in 1968. It describes his growth from a green replacement to a seasoned veteran walking point for his platoon. The final chapter describes the survivor guilt after he left his unit and did not return. It is a good solid book.

[Dstuffle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to advise folks to take these War Stories to be about as true as Fary Tales.
I suspect that the events have been embellished to feed into the expected "things that happened all the time in Nam" narrative. Soldiers collecting necklaces of ears, incompetent officers, racial tensions among the troops, executions of POWs, and all the others.
Take the episode where the author was walking point and had a shootout with a VC. He complains that the next soldier was 30 to 50 yards back, and didn't come to help in the firefight. He won and was securing the POW when an "Artillery" LT (who rarely left the firebase) appeared (out of nowhere) to order him to kill the prisoner. The author refused to do it, and had a face-down with the LT, and put his rifle's business end to the LT's head to stop the LT from killing the POW. All before the others in his squad could catch up (though only 50 yards back).
BS.

[Irene m. carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inside the Hell of an unwanted War

Mr. Cunningham allows us to view the danger, destruction and death faced by our loyal young citizens in a war in which no one
won and so many lost all. We are allowed a glimpse into the daily lives and deaths of some of our fellow citizens as they perform under mismanaged and unneeded military actions
directed by clueless politicians. Our forces were used and abused by all. This is a crime against intelligence and morality.
Our nation was blessed by our brave innocent young soldiers
and scared by inept administration. So many are owed our constant prayers and praise.

[Kami Pineda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very realistic account of what it is like in Vietnam n any war involving young

Men as always n d politicians who makes d usual decisions that sent then in harm's way. I agree that I whoever makes d decision should be d first 2 lead them 2 war. Also, like many e books I've read, so many typo n spelling errors not only This one . Don't u have a competent human editor? Do u depend on computers? Shame on u!

[Pat Appel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hope All is Well

This book was written many years ago and although it wasn't the best book I've ever read about the Vietnam war, it held my interest. The author had a story to tell and he told it the best way he knew how. As a Vietnam veteran myself, I could relate to his many experiences. It's been 50 years now since leaving Vietnam but the memories will live on until the last veteran is gone.

[Peter john Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the Front in The Nam

When is a gook not a gook, when is a slope not a slope, when is a dink not a dink ?
Easy, when they are not all around you in the jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam shooting Chicom AK47s and throwing Chicom grenades at you.
I salute this man and his ilk who were in the front line against the Vietnamese who were fighting in their own back yard, yet they still have the compassion to be involved in philanthropic activities there after the war.

[Richie Garner · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best first hand accounts of a soldier who spends a year in the frontline jungles of Vietnam.

Shades of Platoon in black and white depicting the true horror of a war and the effect it had on everyone involved.

It depicts the ugly side of the war which brought out the good and the bad of the men involved.

Definitely worth a read.

Five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gr8 book

This is a story that needs to be told again and again until our Military leaders get the picture completely. Our soldiers are a resource and a trust that cannot be abused the way we did in Vietnam.

[William B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Chronicle About A Stupid War

This book does an excellent job of telling what a waste the Vietnam War was. How could we possibly win, we were fighting in their country on their land.

[Winans E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Day 2 Day Down South

Good descriptions. Knowledgeable insight. Worth a read to get a snapshot-(six months worth)- of life in the Americal Division June ‘68 to January ‘69. The impact on the author’s life is palpable.

[Skip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and I know the area you were in because I was in them a year after you with echo 2/7 1st marine division as an 0311 (grunt)

There in 69-70. Quesan mountains and valley, Heip Duc valley, Antenna Valley. Like I said Great Book Welcome Home Brother

[Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

Excellent account of what it was light to be a ground pounding foot soldier fighting in the jungles of Vietnam.

[Alexandre · Rating 2 out of 5]

usual Vietnam account ... Nothing special.

[Shawn Nerenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dull.

I made it about 30% in before I got sick of the author talking incessantly about hot chow. I'm left with the impression that his entire tour was spent looking for food.

[Mary Vogelsong · Rating 4 out of 5]

An infantryman's tour of Vietnam.

[Mike Mulvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Intense at some points, but to be expected with war non-fiction. It was an easy read.

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

While you don't need to be a veteran to appreciate both the humor and gravity of the book, it certainly heightens them. I highly recommend this book to everyone as Vietnam should never be forgotten.

[John Podlaski · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Walking Point: An Infantryman's Untold Story" by Michael Cunningham tells his story as a grunt during the Vietnam War. This 1st person tome reads like a diary of events occurring either that day or during a period of time with limited dialog throughout; his tour spanned seven months during 1968. Although, the author does an admirable job of telling his story, his characters are one-dimensional and known only by their names. Granted war is hell and the infantry soldier seems to suffer the most while living in the jungles for most of their time there. Death is around every corner, and being a point man was especially dangerous with a short life expectancy. Hopefully, readers that were not there are able to pick-up on the foul living conditions, pesky insects, cold food, lack of sleep and water. War is not as glorious as depicted in a video game!

I do applaud the author for writing and publishing his story, it is a difficult task requiring time, dedication, sacrifice and an understanding family. As a note to Michael, if you want to invest more time to make this rough diamond shine, you may want to consider a rewrite with much more descriptive prose, dialog and characters that readers can relate to. If not, I would suggest that as a minimum you solicit the help of a line editor to go over your story and correct the many grammatical errors within. With guidance, your story will flow much better.

Still recommend "Walking Point..." for readers interested in learning what life was like for a grunt during the Vietnam War.

John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel

[John W Hodgkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I too was infantry in nam but I am appalled by the lack of discipline!

I didn't know how to rate this book, there were a lot of errors but more than any thing it's the revelation of what went on in some infantry units. I've read a lot if books about Viet Nam to compare others experiences to mine. I was a LRRP, actually after January, 1968 the Department of Defense renamed the LRRP companies which were Long Range Reconnaissance patrol units to Ranger Company's. I served with Co. N 75th Infantry, 173rd Airborne brigade (sep). I know most infantry units were not as disciplined as we were in the field but what I just read shocked me! It's like these guys thought they were going there for a good time and were surprised to find a war! There was actually insubordination and no one cared, no one bothered to report it! There were a couple squad leaders I thought had it together but allowing members of the squad to get laid, smoke pot and drink beer when they're supposed to be on a night ambush! All the months they spent in the field, the missed opportunities for KIA's or captures! Unbelievable! I just hope that this Company was the exception to the rule. I don't know why but we had no blacks in the company, there were Mexicans and native Americans and they were fine men I was proud to serve with but no one ever called it a "White Man's war"! It was an American war! I realise the majority of these men were draftees, maybe that was the difference. Thank God it's all volunteer now. The Rangers in my company were known as " triple volunteers" , we volunteered for the Army, for Airborne and for the Rangers.

[Uncle Dave Avis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good first person narrative of a young man who actually volunteered to fight in Viet Nam. He reveals his terrors on night watch and some of his more laughable episodes.
He also reveals his deep sadness at the death of some of his buddies.
It's a good book and well worth reading.

[Sandy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Lost my cousin Sept 69. He was an infantryman with the 199th LID. ALWAYS wondered. What he may have gone through during his six months in country

. Thanks to your book I believe I have a much better understanding. Thank you for your service
. I appreciate the sacrifices made by. You and all those who have served. God bless the USA.

[Kimberly Walla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good recount of everyday infantry life

The author states, then recounts, the life of an infantryman in Vietnam that is filled with long hours of dirty, tedious, exhausting work interspersed with brief periods of stark terror and unspeakable horror.

[Eric Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!!

I couldn't put this book down. Excellent writing &very in thrilling. Cunningham is brutally honest in his writings of walking point in Viet Nam.I'm looking forward to reading Hus next book about U.S Customs

[Glen Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Well written true story. The author use of the pin shows him to be a true craftsman. I hope to locate his other books and give those a read as well.

[Kristaps · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the more honest autobiographies of an American infantry man during the Vietnam War.