What do you think?
Rate this book
KILL ZONE: We were going to die. It was Vietnam 1968. My soldiers and I fought back. We improvised. We adjusted. We quickly learned what we needed to learn. We survived.
We were a task force of 60 soldiers who were sent to an area of the Mekong Delta of Vietnam to build schools in poor rural villages. Their schools had been destroyed in WWII and these poor farmers were desperate to educate their children. There was great appreciation for our work. However, as you can imagine, the Viet Cong were determined to stop us.The Viet Cong launched attacks to stop us. It became clear that we were going to die. It was Vietnam 1968. My soldiers and I fought back. We improvised. We adjusted. We quickly learned what we needed to learn. We survived. The Viet Cong’s Kill Zone was our biggest threat. So we mastered the concept of the Kill Zone. Later in life I realized that Vietnam had taught us about life. There is always a Kill Zone. But if you know to spot it, you can learn to survive and prevail. Just like Vietnam! Mastering the concept of the Kill Zone is a Mindset that will serve you well!By the way, I was the first captain in the US Army ever to receive the Legion of Merit.The Viet Cong were frustrated by their inability to destroy the "school builders". Their ambushes hadn't worked. We had a really effective ambush defense system. This kept us out of their ambush "Kill Zones". Their nighttime base camp attacks had failed (we had 42 base camp attacks). Snipers couldn't touch us. Eventually they placed a bounty on my head. This was a dubious distinction. I was the only US Army officer within 50 miles to have this happen. But it was a great affirmation that our school building program was working; it showed the local people that we were there to help them. We were winning! We built 18 schools. They still operate today.Martin Luther King Jr. once "If you haven't found anything worth dying for, you haven't really lived". In Vietnam, with the school building program of Task Force Builder, my men and I had found something worth dying for.General Douglas MacArthur once said, "Only in combat can men experience the ultimate love and camaderie of the human experience. Only in combat can mankind rise to the highest levels of spiritual existence." I believe that my men and I achieved this in Vietnam in 1968.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2020
231 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 16, 2020
Excellent book about what could have been.
I don’t think many of us think about the non military aspects about war when we buy book about a particular war. Not many of us think about what soldiers might be capable of doing during a war beside killing or dying.
This book does that. In addition, the latter parts of the book make us think about the relationship of war and wealth. And finally, a candid, short opinion of a Vietnam vet of the war itself. We see many of his last comments coming true in the slow destruction of our republic today. We are led by politicians, not statesmen.
I don’t think many of us think about the non military aspects about war when we buy book about a particular war. Not many of us think about what soldiers might be capable of doing during a war beside killing or dying.
This book does that. In addition, the latter parts of the book make us think about the relationship of war and wealth. And finally, a candid, short opinion of a Vietnam vet of the war itself. We see many of his last comments coming true in the slow destruction of our republic today. We are led by politicians, not statesmen.
October 28, 2020
Great read
This is a terrific book, written by a true American patriot and a leader of men. I thoroughly enjoyed learning what this Task Force did, and under the difficult circumstances in which they achieved. Equally, the authors candor regarding his own post war demons and his very long journey towards personal reconciliation was as important as the experience itself. I thank the author for sharing both.
This is a terrific book, written by a true American patriot and a leader of men. I thoroughly enjoyed learning what this Task Force did, and under the difficult circumstances in which they achieved. Equally, the authors candor regarding his own post war demons and his very long journey towards personal reconciliation was as important as the experience itself. I thank the author for sharing both.
January 10, 2021
Heartbreaking story.
I enjoyed reading this honest account from a dedicated US Army officer.
Parts of the story are a bit repetitive however this is a small annoyance to the overall story. The author makes a strong case as to the futility of the war if you did very little to try and win the civilians over. (bad marketing, loses wars).
I found the book both educational and worth the read. The author gets another medal from me!
I enjoyed reading this honest account from a dedicated US Army officer.
Parts of the story are a bit repetitive however this is a small annoyance to the overall story. The author makes a strong case as to the futility of the war if you did very little to try and win the civilians over. (bad marketing, loses wars).
I found the book both educational and worth the read. The author gets another medal from me!
March 3, 2021
Interesting book with much good for thought.
An interesting book with much information about the war. Some of this information backs up some of the territories some of us have wondered about for years. Unfortunately seeing this information and newly exposed negative information about the war and the "wool pulled over the eyes" of many at the cost of their lives doesn't lesson our anger.
An interesting book with much information about the war. Some of this information backs up some of the territories some of us have wondered about for years. Unfortunately seeing this information and newly exposed negative information about the war and the "wool pulled over the eyes" of many at the cost of their lives doesn't lesson our anger.
March 7, 2021
A wider, lifelong perspective is given about the Vietnam war.
The chronological experiences given are very interesting! From before the war, to during and after keep the reader interested throughout the entire book. In addition, it gives a perspective to that war, and others which keep you questioning yourself, could I serve my country, or mankind better? It is not right to take for granted our freedom, or that our politicians are doing the right things.
The chronological experiences given are very interesting! From before the war, to during and after keep the reader interested throughout the entire book. In addition, it gives a perspective to that war, and others which keep you questioning yourself, could I serve my country, or mankind better? It is not right to take for granted our freedom, or that our politicians are doing the right things.
July 21, 2020
Truth Revealed
The story told here brought to light what the war was really about and how it affected those involved. We as a nation have much to be thankful for in the fact that we have young people who are willing to do what is right regardless of our leadership.
The story told here brought to light what the war was really about and how it affected those involved. We as a nation have much to be thankful for in the fact that we have young people who are willing to do what is right regardless of our leadership.
October 29, 2020
Brutally honest
Telling the truth of a terrible war. Sad but true we lost so many soldiers due to politicians and greedy people! "Politicians do what is best for themselves. Statesmen do what is best for their country"
Welcome Home! Thank You.
Telling the truth of a terrible war. Sad but true we lost so many soldiers due to politicians and greedy people! "Politicians do what is best for themselves. Statesmen do what is best for their country"
Welcome Home! Thank You.
February 9, 2021
Good read
Good read
This book was well written and for those who didn't live during this time it would be a good history lesson on how not to treat returning veterans from a war zone. Most had no choice in the matter and the results of the war was not their fault.
Good read
This book was well written and for those who didn't live during this time it would be a good history lesson on how not to treat returning veterans from a war zone. Most had no choice in the matter and the results of the war was not their fault.
April 11, 2021
excellent book
explores what could have been IF
a must read for anyone who thinks we lost
explores what could have been IF
a must read for anyone who thinks we lost
April 26, 2021
A good read.
Well written insiders view. It is hard to hear about the treatment of vets by US citizens. I hope we learned something.
Well written insiders view. It is hard to hear about the treatment of vets by US citizens. I hope we learned something.
May 4, 2021
Review
I was not aware of the school building. Thank you for the insight. I was infantry and got home safely in Dec 71 thank you for your service
I was not aware of the school building. Thank you for the insight. I was infantry and got home safely in Dec 71 thank you for your service
June 23, 2021
Nice history. Men were forced to improvise, adapt, & overcome. All while winning hearts & minds. Lol!
August 6, 2022
Truth told.
As a Vietnam Veteran I applaud this book and the author. Mike you are right about the politicians and I feel that we are in for another world war where only the roaches survive
As a Vietnam Veteran I applaud this book and the author. Mike you are right about the politicians and I feel that we are in for another world war where only the roaches survive
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews