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Call Sign Dracula: My Tour with the Black Scarves April 1969 to March 1970
"Call Sign Dracula" provides an outstanding, valuable and worthy in-depth look into the life of a US Army Infantry soldier serving with the famed 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One) in Vietnam. It is a genuine, firsthand account of a one-year tour that shows how a soldier grew and matured from an awkward, bewildered, inexperienced, eighteen-year-old country “bumpkin” from Kentucky, to a tough, battle hardened, fighting soldier.You will laugh, cry, and stand in awe at the true-life experiences shared in this memoir. The awfulness of battle, fear beyond description, the sorrow and anguish of losing friends, extreme weariness, dealing with the scalding sun, torrential rain, cold, heat, humidity, insects, and the daily effort just to maintain sanity were struggles faced virtually every day. And yet, there were good times. There was the coming together to laugh, joke, and share stories from home. There was the warmth and compassion shown by men to each other in such an unreal environment. You will see where color, race, or where you were from had no bearing on the tight-knit group of young men that was formed from the necessity to survive. What a “bunch” they were!
... then the return to home and all the adjustments and struggles to once again fit into a world that was now strange and uncomfortable.
"Call Sign Dracula" is an excellent and genuine memoir of an infantry soldier in the Vietnam War.
... then the return to home and all the adjustments and struggles to once again fit into a world that was now strange and uncomfortable.
"Call Sign Dracula" is an excellent and genuine memoir of an infantry soldier in the Vietnam War.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 26, 2014
228 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 10, 2017
Exactly what it says it is
The writer does not claim to be an author and let's you know upfront that this is to honor the men he fought with. That is what you get. A list of people and events that he came in contact with during his year in Vietnam. I appreciate his, and all of our soldiers' service, but I have read a number of more interesting books about Vietnam. This is a personal book and I am sure it means the world to Joe Fair, his family, and those that served.
The writer does not claim to be an author and let's you know upfront that this is to honor the men he fought with. That is what you get. A list of people and events that he came in contact with during his year in Vietnam. I appreciate his, and all of our soldiers' service, but I have read a number of more interesting books about Vietnam. This is a personal book and I am sure it means the world to Joe Fair, his family, and those that served.
February 9, 2021
Good read
As a Vietnam vet (artillrty) i can attest to the accuracy. I found the book interesting. Fortunately I was a 13B40 gun chief and didn't jump jungles and I am glad I didn't.
As a Vietnam vet (artillrty) i can attest to the accuracy. I found the book interesting. Fortunately I was a 13B40 gun chief and didn't jump jungles and I am glad I didn't.
November 27, 2017
A very mundane book with few exciting events.
July 29, 2018
An OK book. Nothing special and certainly not deep or illuminating.
October 29, 2019
Meh. Joe Fair’s military service is commendable; his writing is not.
November 14, 2023
This is an unfiltered narrative that flows like you are actually there in the jungles of the Vietnam War with the Black Scarves of the 1st Infantry Division.
Joe is a real-life hero with two Bronze Stars along with two Air Medals and the Combat Infantry Badge.
You see the bond of friendship forged in war within the book. Something outsiders who do not face life and death on a second-by-second basis cannot begin to understand.
The story about having human waste thrown at him by protesters when returning home tells of the immense hatred some had for the military at that time, mostly subplanned by the media coverage of combat instead of the political agendas. The protesters needed to vent their anger at Washington, not those who went to war with no say in policy.
There is a surprising little twist at the end of the book in the epilogue. Joe enlisted in the reserve during Desert Storm/Shield, earning his third Bronze Star, affirming the notion heroes run to the gunfire when most run away.
Great memoir and highly recommended.
Joe is a real-life hero with two Bronze Stars along with two Air Medals and the Combat Infantry Badge.
You see the bond of friendship forged in war within the book. Something outsiders who do not face life and death on a second-by-second basis cannot begin to understand.
The story about having human waste thrown at him by protesters when returning home tells of the immense hatred some had for the military at that time, mostly subplanned by the media coverage of combat instead of the political agendas. The protesters needed to vent their anger at Washington, not those who went to war with no say in policy.
There is a surprising little twist at the end of the book in the epilogue. Joe enlisted in the reserve during Desert Storm/Shield, earning his third Bronze Star, affirming the notion heroes run to the gunfire when most run away.
Great memoir and highly recommended.
August 5, 2017
Black Scarves Espirit de Corp
Extremely informative and insightful! Written as only a combat soldier could have done it. As a veteran and healthcare worker with the VA, Mr. Fair's accounting gives me a closer look inside the minds of my Vietnam veterans. I am honored to have read this account of his experience and look forward to recommending it to my veteran and civilian friends. Welcome home! Thank you for your service, and thank you for sharing your story with us.
Extremely informative and insightful! Written as only a combat soldier could have done it. As a veteran and healthcare worker with the VA, Mr. Fair's accounting gives me a closer look inside the minds of my Vietnam veterans. I am honored to have read this account of his experience and look forward to recommending it to my veteran and civilian friends. Welcome home! Thank you for your service, and thank you for sharing your story with us.
October 4, 2017
Good book
Not necessarily the best book I read about Vietnam. Mostly because of the way it was written.
Once you do continue, then you'll be reading an honestly written individual's story of his service in Vietnam. Worth reading if you want to get an Infantryman's perspective on war and coming home I enjoyed it.
Not necessarily the best book I read about Vietnam. Mostly because of the way it was written.
Once you do continue, then you'll be reading an honestly written individual's story of his service in Vietnam. Worth reading if you want to get an Infantryman's perspective on war and coming home I enjoyed it.
May 17, 2024
This is an engaging recitation of people, places, and events related to the author’s year long combat service in Vietnam. It has no literary flair and reads almost like a facts and figures combat diary. However, it is authentic and compelling and one of the better memoirs I’ve read about that conflict.
July 7, 2017
Simple but True
Joe Fair is not a seasoned writer,but he is obviously an honest man with a fantastic memory. This is a no BS book that describes Vietnam and the war accurately, just as I remember it.
Joe Fair is not a seasoned writer,but he is obviously an honest man with a fantastic memory. This is a no BS book that describes Vietnam and the war accurately, just as I remember it.
August 9, 2017
A very personal account of Vietnam service
I have read many personal accounts of Vietnam service. This one impressed me with its sincerity. I was there in a suppaort role and I have so much respect for the infantry guys like Joe fair
I have read many personal accounts of Vietnam service. This one impressed me with its sincerity. I was there in a suppaort role and I have so much respect for the infantry guys like Joe fair
October 18, 2017
Slow read
I enjoyed reading, but was underwhelmed with the presentation. I am probably a little bias because of the prior high action and first hand detailed accounts in the last several books I read.
I enjoyed reading, but was underwhelmed with the presentation. I am probably a little bias because of the prior high action and first hand detailed accounts in the last several books I read.
June 9, 2018
I had a hard time getting through this book because it was so brutally honest. It really tugged at my heart strings and even made me tear up. I learned quite a lot and have the out most respect for the soldiers in Vietnam. The true events were told with so much heart.
June 9, 2017
Entertaining
Enjoyed reading, some what believable . Hope our world never has to endure such a happening. Not sure if I will continue the series.
Enjoyed reading, some what believable . Hope our world never has to endure such a happening. Not sure if I will continue the series.
April 1, 2019
Written from the heart to tell the stories and recognize the men. What a bunch!
August 8, 2018
Nice light read
Honest and believable. A simple perspective from a front line guy who saw flaws in the system but still believes in his role.
Honest and believable. A simple perspective from a front line guy who saw flaws in the system but still believes in his role.
March 11, 2021
Been thete
Interesting, only because I was there at the time, and in the same places in VN. Liked his recount of his time in country.
Interesting, only because I was there at the time, and in the same places in VN. Liked his recount of his time in country.
April 25, 2021
I first person account of fighting in the Big Red One in 1970. You feel like you are right along with the soldier, from the dreadful weather through the fighting and loss of good friends
May 20, 2021
I recall some of those AO around DauTieng. We 25th ID moved from DauTieng around April or May of 69.
May 12, 2022
A highly entertaining read. As a Vietnam veteran I really enjoyed it.
May 29, 2024
Joe Fair's account of his tour in Vietnam.
August 7, 2025
Joe fair
I first thankyou.for your service no one can pay you enough gratitude for what you had to do. Then to all the people that demonized when you home. go to hell
I first thankyou.for your service no one can pay you enough gratitude for what you had to do. Then to all the people that demonized when you home. go to hell
February 6, 2019
This book is like notes on the author's war in Vietnam.
It's like he is just explaining his diaries and notes.
There is no storyline but the book appears to be brutally honest.
It's like he is just explaining his diaries and notes.
There is no storyline but the book appears to be brutally honest.
April 29, 2014
"Call Sign Dracula" by Joe Fair tells the story of a young, scared teenage 'country bumpkin' as he refers to himself, who becomes a soldier and then travels half way around the world to fight in Vietnam - an unpopular war. As a youngster, he had secretly hoped to one day be a part of the Big Red One, a well known and brave group, and gets what he wished for. Joe is assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment - the Black Scarves who operate in III and IV Corps between Saigon and the Cambodian border.
The author uses a unique style in this book where each chapter is a summary of events that occurs during a specific month in his tour of duty - much like a journal. Mr. Fair also pays homage to those troops he served with while in Vietnam, listing them by name as they come into and leave his life - providing a description of the person when the name is either unknown or forgotten.
Readers will follow the author during his acclimation to war and witness his transition from a scared, naive and inexperienced eighteen year old soldier into a skilled, savvy leader within the course of a year. The author shares his memories, both good and bad. I sometimes found myself laughing out loud at some of the antics he and his fellow soldiers pulled. Joe doesn't pull any punches and tells it like it was...when friends die, it is very hard to keep a stiff upper lip and continue to function as if nothing happened. He also shows us that the military has both good and bad leaders within its ranks, errors in judgement often resulted in the death of many innocent people.
I was in Vietnam a year after the author and assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, our area of operations was shared with the Big Red One and I remember humping through many of the same areas that are mentioned in Joe's memoirs. The life of a grunt is difficult, indeed, "Call Sign Dracula" will educate civilians - infantry veterans will relate. Great job Mr. Fair! Thank you for your service and Welcome Home!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
The author uses a unique style in this book where each chapter is a summary of events that occurs during a specific month in his tour of duty - much like a journal. Mr. Fair also pays homage to those troops he served with while in Vietnam, listing them by name as they come into and leave his life - providing a description of the person when the name is either unknown or forgotten.
Readers will follow the author during his acclimation to war and witness his transition from a scared, naive and inexperienced eighteen year old soldier into a skilled, savvy leader within the course of a year. The author shares his memories, both good and bad. I sometimes found myself laughing out loud at some of the antics he and his fellow soldiers pulled. Joe doesn't pull any punches and tells it like it was...when friends die, it is very hard to keep a stiff upper lip and continue to function as if nothing happened. He also shows us that the military has both good and bad leaders within its ranks, errors in judgement often resulted in the death of many innocent people.
I was in Vietnam a year after the author and assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, our area of operations was shared with the Big Red One and I remember humping through many of the same areas that are mentioned in Joe's memoirs. The life of a grunt is difficult, indeed, "Call Sign Dracula" will educate civilians - infantry veterans will relate. Great job Mr. Fair! Thank you for your service and Welcome Home!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
January 19, 2022
This book gripped me, the pure honesty of Mr. Fair’s story; there were times when I had to step away from the authenticity of his imageries. I knew one of the soldiers written about, in another life and another time. While I felt honored to have known him, never doubting his integrity, there was such a sadness that washed over me as I tried to think back all those years ago to what were my accomplishments during that same time period, there is no comparison.
Thank you, Mr. Fair for you book and for sharing with others a glimpse into a world of war that before your book, was hard for me to envision.
Thank you, Mr. Fair for you book and for sharing with others a glimpse into a world of war that before your book, was hard for me to envision.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews