True story of the 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division's small, ragtag "provisional" long range patrol platoon that was so effective it became the official model for 1st and 2nd Field Force MACV LRRP's covering the whole country, authorized by General Westmoreland. The 2nd Brigade LRRP's made history.
As a veteran of three years in Vietnam, I found this to be a superb book written about soldiers in Vietnam. A truly excellent read. Well written and hard to put down until you hit the last page
Authentic telling of the experiences of a Vietnam combat veteran. It conveys what the ordinary solider went through during his time in country. This story, in particular, describes Frank Camper (author) rise from infantry to an elite group called LRRP. The manner in which it is written pulls you into the story and make you part of the experience.
Even though the story jumps around at times and there are some grammar mistakes I found Mr. Camper’s experiences and his survival remarkable.
I've read a lot of the Viet Nam experience books. I've tried to choose as many of the different genres as I could. I especially liked the after mission reports. Mr Camper was the only author I read that didn't have an editorial response to Jane Fonda. I realize he served prior to Hanoi Jane, but others did as well and still gave her a shot. I found the narrative was an easy going ramble in spots. There were places where the dialog was brilliant. These came at times I wasn't expecting.
A moving and poignant telling of a year in Vietnam. It is well written and explores the journey of a young soldier in a country he knew very little about, in a conflict that was more about politics and vote collecting than being won. It looks at how the war differed from Korea and Ww2 and how the introduction of small recon teams affected the strategies and tactics applied and the results. It it honest regarding the frustration felt by the writer regarding the incompetance and priorities of higher echelons. I couldn't put it down.
This account of the LRRPs Vietnam was both educational and clearly based on truth and experience. Here is a compact history of the development of a very brave group of volunteers, re-writing the way the United States fought the war. Anyone who has an interest in the truth of Vietnam, and the men who served there, should include this book in their readings. Thank you Sir, for your service, and for sharing your very personal story with those of us who were not there.
The stories told have a gripping effect as you read. I liked that the author included after action reports on some missions along with how he had endured and survived the actual event. I ant to take nothing away fro!m the author of this book but there are several grammatical errors of incomplete sentences. If a book makes it to print those type of errors are unacceptable. Again I take nothing from this author as this was a very good and informative read.
I liked this book a lot. This is a mostly chronological account of a tour in Vietnam. I appreciated the honesty of this account. There is pain in this account from friends lost and lost touch. My opinions of the senior officers who put their comfort ahead of their troops was reaffirmed by this account. This is a story of real people in difficult situations. The understanding that the enemy was a human just like the US soldiers. This book could stand an editor to catch the missing and wrong words.
This is the real deal. Besides being an honest account of a real Grunt then LRRP. The author gives a history of Long Range reconnaissance Patrol. This is another story of the bravery of everyday Americans fighting for a fickle government in a bloated incompetent milatary that rewarded desk Jockies rather than real soldiers. Thank you for your service Mr Camper.
Early years of the war. This real life operational aspects contrasted greatly with those who arrived later towards the end. We all had the love of country but in the end we fought for each other. It became clearly obvious in 1970 that the politicians had no intention of winning and the main objective became to come home alive with your friends. Not always the case due to Mr. Murphy.
Repotted like an infantryman with some little known incidents that grunts know to be sad fact. Dude gave up a cushy rest area job and then survived the combat infantry where accidents happen,..fast and furious beside enemy action. A lot of minor mistakes that could have been avoided with better research, but that costs money and time. That’s why I gave the book a 4 star rating. Otherwise it’s a five..
Enjoyed your book especially the historical aspect. I reconnoitered hill and mountain tops overlooking Fulda Gap in East Germany (DDR) in the early 1970s to fulfill Intelligence Requirements for the United States Military Liaison Mission. Ties into LRRP mission in Cold War. Always wondered about the IR and now I know. Thanks, USMLM, 1973-76.
This man has a perspective and an opinion, from his narrative, he has little time for the political cast that brought this situation about. Even less time and understanding for the failure to carry out this war with all the might available. Political Correctness had no place then as it has no place now, facts, reality and expedience should have been the dominant factors in this war, as in any other. He told it as he saw it and I believe he told it as it was .
I also crossed the pond on the Walker in summer 1966. I was a scout in Recon, HHC/CO, 1/22 Inf., 4th ID. We did a lot of LRRP patrols in the Highlands over the fall and winter of 66-67. I never really knew where I was in country, just my location on maps. We also found some enemy r and r camps in Cambodia. Very limited contact. Killed a couple. Captured one for S-2.
Very interesting and history filled story. These soldiers were the early small team warriors entering the peak of the VN war. A very good story, points out some of the hypocrisy of this unnecessary war. As a VN era soldier it’s good to read of the truth of the war. Thanks for a good read.
Frank Camper gives us a well written, easy to understand true story of how and why the Long Range Recon Petrol were used in Vietnam. He also,truthfully includes the facts that politicians and upper ranking g military got allot of troops killed and maimed. Thank You for your service and book.
An eye opening account of the fantastically brave and capable men of these often misunderstood teams
A must read for any serious student of twentienth century military history. I am apalled that in many wayswe are conducing ths Afgan war in very similar ways, only over a much longer period. simply the best account of the tragic waste of so many brave lives.
The real deal. An honest evaluation of then and now. History has repeated itself once again with one distinct and unforgivable difference. Our current President Biden abandoned not only our allies but American citizens. And complicit or complacent military leaders let it happen. Vietnam was cathartic....what we have now we may not recover from.
Book missing a large section from 56% complete to 95%. It's a great book but it doesn't seem to be all there.
Where is most of the second half of this? What's there is really good but it suddenly jumps from Nam to history of the Rangers. (This on Kindle..possible uploading snafu). Camper tells the truth about politics and military social structure and the war.
I also was 4'th division. I was 1'/22nd infantry 4'th division in 1971. I was recon. Your read was great. Very good book. Is there ever a reunion for 1st/22 infantry? Bob McLaughlin at Mac-1construction@cox.net thank you
Thank you. Very well written. Easily understandable and conveys the essence of what a human must feel and think when placed in such stressful and alien conditions and situations.
Written by a combat soldier with a eye toward details about LRRP teams in Viet Nam. My youngest brother spent six months on a team as an O-2 and came home a different person.
This seems to be a typical experience of these Vietnam era veterans. The stories are good and well told. It shows how the commanders have little idea what they send their troops into.
A great read about Vietnam. BUT…also it added to my frustration. Another combat situation without winning. Politics both in the military and civilian leadership with harmful “rules of engagement” cost unnecessary KIAs and WIAs. Sad!
Overall I would give the book a "C" rating. The editor certainly did not cat h the grammar or missing words. The author jumps around. At one point, basic is over as only to be relived I. Another chapter. I finished the book since it was purchased.
This gives insight into day to day field missions in Vietnam without cloudy bureaucratic fluff from someone who truly lived through it. Bravo and Thank You for your service.
Will our politicians ever learn? Every day armed forces personell all over the planet are being sacrificed for misguided religious and commercial and political beliefs. Disgusting. This is a good book. Well written. Very sad. Thanks for writing it.
Have read many, many Vietnam true accounts of personal experiences for individuals during the war. This book, well written, informative. The best I have read to date.
Much research and personal feelings went into this book. It had to be difficult to bring up memories and explain feelings. Vets of this war should still be honored to this day. Hoorah boys!
Great tribute to the men of the LRRP And how the author outlines how HQ usually gets it wrong when they don’t listen to men in the field and how the government lies to cover up and change the narrative.
The book was interesting and educational about how the LRRP were organized and fought in Vietnam! The actual descriptions of battle were amazing and the LRRPS way of operating.