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The Conclusion
This illustrated book is a true and rare eye-witness account of what front-line combat was really like in the jungle of Vietnam. Some called it search and destroy. In reality, it was more like expose and retaliate. Written by a front- line Infantry Lieutenant who had a duty to keep as many of his men alive as possible. This book shows the ‘boots-on-the-ground’ perspective of real soldiers. Relive history with the best non-fiction Vietnam War book written this decade!
The author, Lieutenant George M. Papa, details the time he spent as the Platoon Leader of 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, of the 1/46 Battalion, of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division in the ‘free-fire’ zone of ‘Eye Corps’, during the Vietnam War. A ‘free fire zone’ means that no other non U.S. soldier or civilian is to be in that zone, period, which is away from the populated coast, and if they are, they can be fired on without waiting to be fired on first.
Lt. Papa’s full 13-month tour fell between the North Vietnamese Army’s destruction of his battalion headquarters in May 1969 (battle of Landing Zone Professional) and the NVA overrun of that same relocated HQ in March 1971 (battle of LZ Mary Ann). Both of these defeats are detailed.
This last battle was such a disaster that several ranking officers were courts marshaled for dereliction of duty. Because of that investigation and the ensuing depositions, the true and shocking sequence of events during that battle are now accurately portrayed in this book.
In addition to many combat events, Lt. Papa also details the mistakes made by Washington, which included the failure to recognize and to fix the many local religious and social injustices, which fueled that war. The vast majority of the South Vietnamese were Buddhists, who could not vote or advance economically, so they inherently sympathized with their fellow Buddhists from the north to jointly reclaim South Vietnam from the minority, but controlling Catholic converts in the south, who usurped the vestiges of the former 100-year French occupation.
The author, Lieutenant George M. Papa, details the time he spent as the Platoon Leader of 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, of the 1/46 Battalion, of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division in the ‘free-fire’ zone of ‘Eye Corps’, during the Vietnam War. A ‘free fire zone’ means that no other non U.S. soldier or civilian is to be in that zone, period, which is away from the populated coast, and if they are, they can be fired on without waiting to be fired on first.
Lt. Papa’s full 13-month tour fell between the North Vietnamese Army’s destruction of his battalion headquarters in May 1969 (battle of Landing Zone Professional) and the NVA overrun of that same relocated HQ in March 1971 (battle of LZ Mary Ann). Both of these defeats are detailed.
This last battle was such a disaster that several ranking officers were courts marshaled for dereliction of duty. Because of that investigation and the ensuing depositions, the true and shocking sequence of events during that battle are now accurately portrayed in this book.
In addition to many combat events, Lt. Papa also details the mistakes made by Washington, which included the failure to recognize and to fix the many local religious and social injustices, which fueled that war. The vast majority of the South Vietnamese were Buddhists, who could not vote or advance economically, so they inherently sympathized with their fellow Buddhists from the north to jointly reclaim South Vietnam from the minority, but controlling Catholic converts in the south, who usurped the vestiges of the former 100-year French occupation.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2012
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About the author
George M. Papa
8 books1 followerGeorge M Papa is an American author who was raised in rural Arizona, served in Vietnam, is a dedicated father & husband, & attends the LDS Church. George's books cover topics including drug addiction, political reform, world history, & religion.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 12, 2021
Review
George your 1'st book was well done. I was an infantry squad leader in 71. Got home ok. Looking forward to your new books. I was 1'st 22'nd infantry, 4'th division the you again I enjoyed the read. Hard to put my kindle down!
George your 1'st book was well done. I was an infantry squad leader in 71. Got home ok. Looking forward to your new books. I was 1'st 22'nd infantry, 4'th division the you again I enjoyed the read. Hard to put my kindle down!
June 30, 2019
True story
As vet i appreciate honest writing, it give you a good sense the frustration of being a grunt scary shit
As vet i appreciate honest writing, it give you a good sense the frustration of being a grunt scary shit
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews