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Courage Under Fire: The 101st Airborne's Hidden Battle at Tam Ky
"A thorough examination of Operation Lamar Plain from the point of view of the soldiers on the ground, particularly those of Sherwood's company." --ARMY Magazine
Courage Under Fire is the first book published about Operation Lamar Plain. After 50 years, the story of the renowned 101st Airborne's major offensive near Tam Ky, South Vietnam remains largely unknown. Fighting at Tam Ky by the 1st Brigade began 15 May 1969 while the 101st's 3rd Brigade battled on Hamburger Hill. The political consequences of Hamburger Hill's high casualties caused Lamar Plain and its high casualties to remain classified and undisclosed. Decades later, the fighting at Tam Ky is mostly forgotten except by those who fought there.
Sherwood's superb research of now declassified records uncovers how such a large battle could remain hidden and undisclosed. But that is not the heart of his story. His focus is on the courage and commitment of the young infantry soldiers who fought. Courage Under Fire uses actual battle records and eyewitness accounts to follow "Never Quit" Delta Company and its sister companies through 28 days of continuous combat at Tam Ky. Delta Company's soldiers lived up to their motto despite increasing casualties, a tough enemy, harsh battlefield conditions, and loss of leaders.
For all who fought at Tam Ky, their bravery and devotion to duty in an increasingly unpopular war is worthy to be remembered. With veterans of Tam Ky now growing older and fewer in number, it is past time to tell their story.
"Sherwood has written one of the best, most comprehensive accounts of Vietnam War combat published to date." -- The Quarterly Journal of Military History
Courage Under Fire is the first book published about Operation Lamar Plain. After 50 years, the story of the renowned 101st Airborne's major offensive near Tam Ky, South Vietnam remains largely unknown. Fighting at Tam Ky by the 1st Brigade began 15 May 1969 while the 101st's 3rd Brigade battled on Hamburger Hill. The political consequences of Hamburger Hill's high casualties caused Lamar Plain and its high casualties to remain classified and undisclosed. Decades later, the fighting at Tam Ky is mostly forgotten except by those who fought there.
Sherwood's superb research of now declassified records uncovers how such a large battle could remain hidden and undisclosed. But that is not the heart of his story. His focus is on the courage and commitment of the young infantry soldiers who fought. Courage Under Fire uses actual battle records and eyewitness accounts to follow "Never Quit" Delta Company and its sister companies through 28 days of continuous combat at Tam Ky. Delta Company's soldiers lived up to their motto despite increasing casualties, a tough enemy, harsh battlefield conditions, and loss of leaders.
For all who fought at Tam Ky, their bravery and devotion to duty in an increasingly unpopular war is worthy to be remembered. With veterans of Tam Ky now growing older and fewer in number, it is past time to tell their story.
"Sherwood has written one of the best, most comprehensive accounts of Vietnam War combat published to date." -- The Quarterly Journal of Military History
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
345 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 8, 2021
Great view of the Vietnam War from a platoon level. The “feel” of combat comes out in this work through Sherwood’s short descriptions of small unit actions. An excellent homage to the Soldiers who fought and died in a battle that has long been overshadowed by Hamburger Hill.
February 8, 2023
Ed Sherwood did a great job documenting the tremendous courage and sacrifice of those involved in the Battle at Tam Ky. On behalf of all who were there I have great appreciation for their service and dedication to their country. This book will be of significant value to the soldiers and their families. It is historically significant for many reasons that I will not go into here.
My rating is related to the writing style. Like the day after day monotony of war the book became challenging to read for any length of time. There were some excellent features such as the updates on news events, popular songs and cultural updates. Also, I appreciated the descriptive use of the map designations that allowed the reader to follow the movement on the ground in V.N.
My rating is related to the writing style. Like the day after day monotony of war the book became challenging to read for any length of time. There were some excellent features such as the updates on news events, popular songs and cultural updates. Also, I appreciated the descriptive use of the map designations that allowed the reader to follow the movement on the ground in V.N.
December 10, 2022
Books like this make you wonder just how many battles the government kept out of the media after Nixon's comments or the occurrence of Hamburger Hill and just how much that might have added the the negative views held by so many during and after the Vietnam War. Having been born as a result of the war and the draft. I continue to dig and find out as much as I can about it and why it ended up being such a debacle in the long run. Worthwhile read for any armchair historian.
February 21, 2023
Courage Under Fire: The 101st Airborne's Hidden Battle at Tam Ky by Ed Sherwood LTC US Army (Ret) is about unclassified 101st Airborne action at Tam Ky named Operation Lamar Plain in May 1969.
Sherwood's very detailed records and eyewitness accounts follow the courage and bravery of the young infantry soldiers who fought these battles.
The writing is superb. This book is not to be missed by fans of war history, especially Vietnam.
Very Highly Recommended. Thank you.
Sherwood's very detailed records and eyewitness accounts follow the courage and bravery of the young infantry soldiers who fought these battles.
The writing is superb. This book is not to be missed by fans of war history, especially Vietnam.
Very Highly Recommended. Thank you.
May 28, 2022
Lamar Plain was conducted during Abram's tenure, which I'm reading about in "A Better War." I'm curious whether that book will mention this operation, and how Abram's envisioned this operation in his One War program.
December 24, 2022
Could have been a great story but the choppy elementary school age writing style made it impossible to complete.
Read
January 26, 2023More text needed
Missing the appendices in the Kindle version. They should be included with the book for readers who want that highly useful content.
Missing the appendices in the Kindle version. They should be included with the book for readers who want that highly useful content.
December 31, 2024
I was at Firebase Currahee supporting Hamburger Hill when the battle of Tam Ky happened. Thanks to Ed for writing this well-deserved paean to our soldiers who took part. Those of us at Currahee had no idea.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews