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POINT: WILDERNESS WAR IN VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA - A MEMOIR
Point is a firsthand account of daily life for grunts in the field in Vietnam and Cambodia in 1970. It’s a memoir of the author’s service as an infantry sergeant, squad leader and point man in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
506 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 8, 2019
I enjoyed reading "Point: Wilderness War in Vietnam and Cambodia - A Memoir by Jamie Thompson. In it, the author takes us through his US Army basic and AIT training and then, Shake and Bake School where upon completion, graduates are promoted to E-5 Sergeants. He knew that his destiny as a new sergeant was to immediately take him to Vietnam, where the life expectancy of "instant sergeants" was extremely low.
Instant NCO's and Second Lieutenants weren't too popular in many infantry units, and those who've been in country for months didn't like taking orders from these cherry soldiers; both lacked experience in the bush and therefore, couldn't be trusted to make the right decisions - especially those lifers who were trying to make a name for themselves. In Jamie's case, he chose to prudently accept the advice of his predecessor and learn from the "old-timers" then leading by example - doing himself what everyone else in his squad did. This included guard duty, burning shit, and walking point. It didn't take him long to gain the trust of his squad members and he eventually, became a great teacher.
The war is winding down and skirmishes with the enemy were far and few in between. If you are looking for a book that is filled with firefights and battles - this is not for you. Instead, the author relates his experiences as a grunt in the boonies, who endures endless patrols through the bug-infested jungles of Vietnam, until he is wounded during the Cambodian invasion. Afterward, he shows us how time was spent in firebases, and on top of The White Virgin Mountain (Nui Ba Ra) for the next several weeks. During this time, he and others find ingenious ways to pass the time, survive a flood during monsoon season in a new camp, his "against regulation" trip to Saigon for an overnight, and his efforts to help reduce the rat population in those bunkers they cohabitate nightly.
The final chapters tell of Sgt. Thompson's return to civilian life after Vietnam and current updates of many of the characters in his story. He also includes a glossary of terms at the end of the book to familiarize readers with many of the military acronyms used within.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Sgt. Thompson, and welcome home! Great job on your memoir!
Instant NCO's and Second Lieutenants weren't too popular in many infantry units, and those who've been in country for months didn't like taking orders from these cherry soldiers; both lacked experience in the bush and therefore, couldn't be trusted to make the right decisions - especially those lifers who were trying to make a name for themselves. In Jamie's case, he chose to prudently accept the advice of his predecessor and learn from the "old-timers" then leading by example - doing himself what everyone else in his squad did. This included guard duty, burning shit, and walking point. It didn't take him long to gain the trust of his squad members and he eventually, became a great teacher.
The war is winding down and skirmishes with the enemy were far and few in between. If you are looking for a book that is filled with firefights and battles - this is not for you. Instead, the author relates his experiences as a grunt in the boonies, who endures endless patrols through the bug-infested jungles of Vietnam, until he is wounded during the Cambodian invasion. Afterward, he shows us how time was spent in firebases, and on top of The White Virgin Mountain (Nui Ba Ra) for the next several weeks. During this time, he and others find ingenious ways to pass the time, survive a flood during monsoon season in a new camp, his "against regulation" trip to Saigon for an overnight, and his efforts to help reduce the rat population in those bunkers they cohabitate nightly.
The final chapters tell of Sgt. Thompson's return to civilian life after Vietnam and current updates of many of the characters in his story. He also includes a glossary of terms at the end of the book to familiarize readers with many of the military acronyms used within.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Sgt. Thompson, and welcome home! Great job on your memoir!
Read
February 20, 2020MWSA Review
Jamie Thompson’s Point, Wilderness War in Vietnam and Cambodia is a unique insight into a combat infantryman’s experience in Vietnam.
Walking point (leading a patrol, platoon, or company), could be the most dangerous job in Vietnam. Sergeant Jamie Thompson doesn’t avoid such duty, he craves it. To him, he has never felt so focused, so alive, as when leading his unit through Vietnam or Cambodia. After he is wounded, he must decide if he can overcome his fear and return to the job he loves, and to the men he feels sworn to teach and protect.
The author has an extraordinary memory, and relays his entire army experience in vivid detail. The book is very technically well written and Thompson does a very good job of mixing combat field experience with tales of fun and camaraderie in the rear areas. This is the grunt’s perception, no strategy or heavy moral points, just survival and love of one another in combat.
I especially enjoyed how the author’s upbringing was reflected in his memoir. His father always taught him to “do the right thing,” and that was clear in his writing. He had several chances to make it easy on himself, but instead took care of his men and his mission first.
Any Vietnam grunt, especially one who was wounded, will appreciate this story and relate. Also, anyone interested in the Vietnam experience because of a family member will learn more about what their loved one endured in the jungles of Southwest Asia.
Review by Rob Ballister (February 2020)
Jamie Thompson’s Point, Wilderness War in Vietnam and Cambodia is a unique insight into a combat infantryman’s experience in Vietnam.
Walking point (leading a patrol, platoon, or company), could be the most dangerous job in Vietnam. Sergeant Jamie Thompson doesn’t avoid such duty, he craves it. To him, he has never felt so focused, so alive, as when leading his unit through Vietnam or Cambodia. After he is wounded, he must decide if he can overcome his fear and return to the job he loves, and to the men he feels sworn to teach and protect.
The author has an extraordinary memory, and relays his entire army experience in vivid detail. The book is very technically well written and Thompson does a very good job of mixing combat field experience with tales of fun and camaraderie in the rear areas. This is the grunt’s perception, no strategy or heavy moral points, just survival and love of one another in combat.
I especially enjoyed how the author’s upbringing was reflected in his memoir. His father always taught him to “do the right thing,” and that was clear in his writing. He had several chances to make it easy on himself, but instead took care of his men and his mission first.
Any Vietnam grunt, especially one who was wounded, will appreciate this story and relate. Also, anyone interested in the Vietnam experience because of a family member will learn more about what their loved one endured in the jungles of Southwest Asia.
Review by Rob Ballister (February 2020)
March 18, 2020
Very little Action
Read all the way to 50 percent of the book and still very little contact. You can't write a book about Nam and not talk about finally getting In to a firefight or some type of hostility. It's Ok if you want to read about a unit going From one place to another and how they set up NDP. I stopped reading at approximately sixty percent. Still no action.
Read all the way to 50 percent of the book and still very little contact. You can't write a book about Nam and not talk about finally getting In to a firefight or some type of hostility. It's Ok if you want to read about a unit going From one place to another and how they set up NDP. I stopped reading at approximately sixty percent. Still no action.
April 23, 2022
Good story.
This was an interesting summary of the author's experience in the Vietnam war. I found it lacking the emotion and intensity that I was looking for but was what I should have expected being written so long after the events. It does touch on though the problems in engaging in these protracted peace actions.
This was an interesting summary of the author's experience in the Vietnam war. I found it lacking the emotion and intensity that I was looking for but was what I should have expected being written so long after the events. It does touch on though the problems in engaging in these protracted peace actions.
November 5, 2024
Skip Schmoyer
What I liked was that I'm a Viet Nam Vet but was in I Corp with echo 2/7 1st Mar Div in 1969-1970 as a grunt that preferred walking point also. I also walked point when I was a squad leader.Reading this book was like looking back on my tour except I was in the bush for months at a time also but in Que San valley and Que San mountains, Heip Duc Valley and Antenna Valley with the Marine Corp.
I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to know what it was really like over there as a grunt.
Great job Sgt Jamie, Welcome Home
What I liked was that I'm a Viet Nam Vet but was in I Corp with echo 2/7 1st Mar Div in 1969-1970 as a grunt that preferred walking point also. I also walked point when I was a squad leader.Reading this book was like looking back on my tour except I was in the bush for months at a time also but in Que San valley and Que San mountains, Heip Duc Valley and Antenna Valley with the Marine Corp.
I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to know what it was really like over there as a grunt.
Great job Sgt Jamie, Welcome Home
May 23, 2020
I think the author pretty much earned whatever "dressing downs" he ever got in life. And I hope his family enjoyed descriptions of his doping and sexual exploits while in the Nam. Maybe by now he knows if he ever actually did anything worth writing a book about.
August 6, 2020
Excellent well written story. I sure wouldn't have made it as a grunt. I barely got through as a supply clerk,tanker, trucker, shit burner, kp soldier. Welcome home brother Jamie. 25th ID 65th Engineers
2-69---2-70.
2-69---2-70.
March 31, 2020
One of the best reads about a conflict which many Americans opposed. I am ex military and served in South East Asia I the 60s and this book tells it how it was in the front line.
December 29, 2020
A journey of an American Hero.
A profound look at the Vietnam War from a young man's point of view and insight into what they did during their down time.
A profound look at the Vietnam War from a young man's point of view and insight into what they did during their down time.
Read
February 19, 2020Reviewed and scored as part of the MWSA 2020 review and awards program.
January 22, 2020
Personal and deeply moving.
POINT, the autobiography of an American Vietnam veteran is real, authentic, beautifully written, and worth every moment immersed in its pages. At times I had to put it down for a while and pick it up again later because, periodically, I found myself feeling overwhelmed by reliving that time from my perspective as the sister of an American soldier serving in Vietnam at that time. For example, my parents were visiting me at school when we heard about the invasion of Cambodia on the nightly news along with the rest of the citizenry of the United States. Nobody said anything. We just looked at each other, somehow knowing that was where my brother, their son, was. (We were correct.)
My impression of Sgt. Thompson is that he is a brave, special guy, and I am certain that his men felt safer when he was walking point.
Apparently there are some readers who take offense at the episodic pot smoking. To them I say, keep reading. Try not to focus on that -- except to acknowledge that it was part of the reality of the Vietnam experience.
POINT, the autobiography of an American Vietnam veteran is real, authentic, beautifully written, and worth every moment immersed in its pages. At times I had to put it down for a while and pick it up again later because, periodically, I found myself feeling overwhelmed by reliving that time from my perspective as the sister of an American soldier serving in Vietnam at that time. For example, my parents were visiting me at school when we heard about the invasion of Cambodia on the nightly news along with the rest of the citizenry of the United States. Nobody said anything. We just looked at each other, somehow knowing that was where my brother, their son, was. (We were correct.)
My impression of Sgt. Thompson is that he is a brave, special guy, and I am certain that his men felt safer when he was walking point.
Apparently there are some readers who take offense at the episodic pot smoking. To them I say, keep reading. Try not to focus on that -- except to acknowledge that it was part of the reality of the Vietnam experience.
January 4, 2020
A truly superb memoir.
I’ve read a lot of accounts of the Vietnam war as it was ‘my’ conflict growing up in the 60’s & 70’s with nightly news reports in the UK until the final outcome in ‘75.
Jamie has surpassed his aim to give as truthful an account of his time in service to bring that era and the daily grind of a grunt in the field to life.
His writing brings experiences to life with a clarity that is startling and he should be proud that his Mother’s writing ability has manifested itself in him with such accuracy and skill.
In short, even though this is a long book the reader is quickly engrossed in Jamie’s Storytelling in such a way that the pages and chapters just fall away and you are left with a good insight of just what this time involved for soldiers on the ground in Vietnam.
A magnificent read, your parents would have been proud of this.
I’ve read a lot of accounts of the Vietnam war as it was ‘my’ conflict growing up in the 60’s & 70’s with nightly news reports in the UK until the final outcome in ‘75.
Jamie has surpassed his aim to give as truthful an account of his time in service to bring that era and the daily grind of a grunt in the field to life.
His writing brings experiences to life with a clarity that is startling and he should be proud that his Mother’s writing ability has manifested itself in him with such accuracy and skill.
In short, even though this is a long book the reader is quickly engrossed in Jamie’s Storytelling in such a way that the pages and chapters just fall away and you are left with a good insight of just what this time involved for soldiers on the ground in Vietnam.
A magnificent read, your parents would have been proud of this.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews