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Miles To Vietnam
Butter Bar
Vietnam 1967: Jif Miles may be a military legacy, descended from proven warriors—his father is a retired general, his mother a former guerilla fighter—but in country , he’s just another second lieutenant, a green rookie wearing that gold insignia of rank dismissively known as the butter bar . Combat leaders aren’t born, though; they’re made. As the strategic misconceptions of the American high command trigger major battles in the Central Highlands, the deadly trials that will mold Jif Miles into a soldier and leader of men come at a blistering pace. But when those battles end, his tour of duty—and the war—will be far from over. There’ll be more trials lurking for him at every turn of the calendar.
440 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 22, 2021
1327 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
William Peter Grasso
24 books75 followersA lifelong student of history, William Peter Grasso served in the US Army and is retired from the aircraft maintenance industry. His devotion to all things historical, military, and aviation remains unabated and continues to inspire his fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
June 6, 2021
Very good Vietnam novel
I thought the novel was well written and researched. While I did not serve in scenic Southeast Asia, I was an active duty artillery officer in the mid-1970s. Many of my classmates, and most of the people I served with, did one or more tours in ‘Nam. Within the Army community, just about everyone went out of their way to teach officers and ncos who hadn’t seen combat whatever they could that would help them survive and accomplish their missions. Just about everything in the novel is consistent with what I heard from classmates and others who served artillery and infantry tours. Highly recommended.
I thought the novel was well written and researched. While I did not serve in scenic Southeast Asia, I was an active duty artillery officer in the mid-1970s. Many of my classmates, and most of the people I served with, did one or more tours in ‘Nam. Within the Army community, just about everyone went out of their way to teach officers and ncos who hadn’t seen combat whatever they could that would help them survive and accomplish their missions. Just about everything in the novel is consistent with what I heard from classmates and others who served artillery and infantry tours. Highly recommended.
July 31, 2021
A Terrible Time in a Terrible War
Went with a four star and debated giving it a five. There was some serious research behind this book and things like the terrain, particularly the jungle, the solders on both sides, the military politics, the costly mistakes of the Administration and military leaders were all brought to life as I read. Good read and I'd recommend it but be aware there's blood in the pages.
Went with a four star and debated giving it a five. There was some serious research behind this book and things like the terrain, particularly the jungle, the solders on both sides, the military politics, the costly mistakes of the Administration and military leaders were all brought to life as I read. Good read and I'd recommend it but be aware there's blood in the pages.
June 16, 2022
I love authors like Shaara and others who, like Will Peter Grasso, write military fiction. This book kept my interest with an exciting plot. I found myself getting pissed off at some characters as I will drawn into the story. My next book will be the follow-up to this book, "REPORTS OF THEIR DEMISE".
January 3, 2023
2.25 stars
May 24, 2021
Well written. Word pictures created by the author were great. Despite being a retired Army service man, I was never in Vietnam and the descriptions of terrain and the intense combat incidents were consistent with other books that I have read about the Vietnam war. The story focused on LT Miles, so there weren't a multitude of other characters that you had to keep track of. I recommend this book.
January 15, 2022
Beau Coup Exitement
Mr Grasson has written one of the best military novels I have ever read. The main character has the poise of a seasoned vet even though he’s a greenhorn, characters and story are believable, the action is relentless, can’t wait to start the next book, well done.
Mr Grasson has written one of the best military novels I have ever read. The main character has the poise of a seasoned vet even though he’s a greenhorn, characters and story are believable, the action is relentless, can’t wait to start the next book, well done.
November 1, 2024
I grabbed this as a throw away sample and then got right into it. This was an amazing surprise. Nothing really deep but the premise is unique. I know that there were Australians fighting in Vietnam but having the protagonist as an American who grew up in Australia who ends up fighting as a Forward Observer totally works. This was a great read. I am on to the sequel now.
February 9, 2024
It was okay. If you served in any of the combat or air support services, you'd understand the lingo, but mostly, it's just laden with the typical military jargon and acronym-rich abbreviations that define almost everything military. One particular point that was funny to me is when Jif (the narrating Butter Bar in question) has a mini rant about REMF's overuse of the "mike" time designation when the convo is taking place not just in real time but face-to-face. I found that hysterical because no one talked like that, not if they wanted to be understood.
My POV is from serving as an Army nurse in the 91st Evac @ Chu-Lai in 1970. Busting butt and humping the tables as our ER was overwhelmed moment to moment, no one had time for lengthy convo of any type, unless it was from surgeon to gas passer (anesthetist) to the poke and pull nurses,(scrub and suction) who assisted at each procedure, often under grueling and questionably "clean" surgical procedures. It's not what you would ever see on TV. Ever.
I remember the noise. Voices screaming orders to move, hustle, lift, pull, roll and stage...all at once. Most of us had arms of steel and backs that later in life would always bear the strain of being on our feet for hours at a time while our docs repaired what they could and got the patients ready to transport via medevac out to the larger medical facilities like Long Binh general bases. We were a bandaid type of crew.
We were always wet, dirty, tired and hungry. So I empathized completely with the narrative describing mosquito bites the size of pancakes and grime built up on skin, gear, hair and boots for days on end. Single-use supplies were not the rule of order. It was chaos. Lives were lost in a moment.
So yes, to those elements I can relate.
Where I lost the plot, and please understand I had a medical perspective, not a combat orientation at all, but I drifted when it was page after page of plotting the azimuth, calling the fire command, doing visual orientations for effect and the endless transport complications to move troops and supplies, including ordnance, from one grid to another in a small window of opportunity. But it made for some redundant reading.
As for the REMF's. Don't even get me started. When your idea of serving in a combat unit includes warm chow, warm blankets, fresh clothing and time off duty, you are in the wrong career mode. I thought the author treated some but not all of the officers with a gracious aura of disrespect, much as many troops were treated by officers of rank in their everyday encounters. There's nothing about a 4 year college degree in business that makes someone a leader of anything other than lunch. You can't hand out common sense or the essential intricacies of knowing how to lead other people as a reward for sitting in classes and not flunking your lit exam. That's what many, too many, officers brought with them to the field. And it got people killed. Passing the buck was the fastest currency used in the field. So in that respect, I also have to hand it to the author, he didn't spare the truth one bit.
As for the "esteemed" William Westmoreland, yeah. Kudos on that description. That man thought he was fighting every single engagement, every single moment of every single day, all by himself. A hero in his own mind, his leadership, or lack thereof, probably lost more lives than any other factor. He got what he deserved in this retelling of the failed legend. 50 years later, he is still remembered though not for the overall disaster he actually was. Abrams couldn't mop up after him fast enough.
Reading the book was to revisit some memories I probably should have buried long ago. I come from a long line of Army soldiers, and I understand the reluctance many heir-apparent troops can have to avoid greasing the slicks of possible promotion or assignment. It's hard not to want to pull rank or seek out preferential duty, because "My daddy" or "My best-friends-uncle-in-law were XXX", but most manage to avoid that type of behavior throughout their careers. The author touched on his fictional father's service on a few occasions but treated it with skill and a good degree of understanding.
Finally, the banter and bicker, the stress and support, and the camaraderie of troops and their cohorts should never be mistaken as disrespect or dishonor. IMO, the retelling was probably a great deal cleaner and more polite than the real thing. IMO.
The bottom line for me is this was an okay read, the engagements are possibly a weaving or compilation of more than a few actual incidents. It reads like it should, technical fiction with reality thrown in for color and atmosphere. Sort of the idea of "Fire for Effect".
I started to read the second in the series, "Reports of Their Demise" but I don't think I will finish it. If I am not reading technical or educational material, I crave good fiction. This is fiction, but a little bit out of my favored genre.
Interesting and involved, but I'd had enough of the real thing decades ago.
Recommended, with the caveat that if you have a hard time with military strategy and lingo, it's going to be hard going for you. Worth it, but hard to swallow.
My POV is from serving as an Army nurse in the 91st Evac @ Chu-Lai in 1970. Busting butt and humping the tables as our ER was overwhelmed moment to moment, no one had time for lengthy convo of any type, unless it was from surgeon to gas passer (anesthetist) to the poke and pull nurses,(scrub and suction) who assisted at each procedure, often under grueling and questionably "clean" surgical procedures. It's not what you would ever see on TV. Ever.
I remember the noise. Voices screaming orders to move, hustle, lift, pull, roll and stage...all at once. Most of us had arms of steel and backs that later in life would always bear the strain of being on our feet for hours at a time while our docs repaired what they could and got the patients ready to transport via medevac out to the larger medical facilities like Long Binh general bases. We were a bandaid type of crew.
We were always wet, dirty, tired and hungry. So I empathized completely with the narrative describing mosquito bites the size of pancakes and grime built up on skin, gear, hair and boots for days on end. Single-use supplies were not the rule of order. It was chaos. Lives were lost in a moment.
So yes, to those elements I can relate.
Where I lost the plot, and please understand I had a medical perspective, not a combat orientation at all, but I drifted when it was page after page of plotting the azimuth, calling the fire command, doing visual orientations for effect and the endless transport complications to move troops and supplies, including ordnance, from one grid to another in a small window of opportunity. But it made for some redundant reading.
As for the REMF's. Don't even get me started. When your idea of serving in a combat unit includes warm chow, warm blankets, fresh clothing and time off duty, you are in the wrong career mode. I thought the author treated some but not all of the officers with a gracious aura of disrespect, much as many troops were treated by officers of rank in their everyday encounters. There's nothing about a 4 year college degree in business that makes someone a leader of anything other than lunch. You can't hand out common sense or the essential intricacies of knowing how to lead other people as a reward for sitting in classes and not flunking your lit exam. That's what many, too many, officers brought with them to the field. And it got people killed. Passing the buck was the fastest currency used in the field. So in that respect, I also have to hand it to the author, he didn't spare the truth one bit.
As for the "esteemed" William Westmoreland, yeah. Kudos on that description. That man thought he was fighting every single engagement, every single moment of every single day, all by himself. A hero in his own mind, his leadership, or lack thereof, probably lost more lives than any other factor. He got what he deserved in this retelling of the failed legend. 50 years later, he is still remembered though not for the overall disaster he actually was. Abrams couldn't mop up after him fast enough.
Reading the book was to revisit some memories I probably should have buried long ago. I come from a long line of Army soldiers, and I understand the reluctance many heir-apparent troops can have to avoid greasing the slicks of possible promotion or assignment. It's hard not to want to pull rank or seek out preferential duty, because "My daddy" or "My best-friends-uncle-in-law were XXX", but most manage to avoid that type of behavior throughout their careers. The author touched on his fictional father's service on a few occasions but treated it with skill and a good degree of understanding.
Finally, the banter and bicker, the stress and support, and the camaraderie of troops and their cohorts should never be mistaken as disrespect or dishonor. IMO, the retelling was probably a great deal cleaner and more polite than the real thing. IMO.
The bottom line for me is this was an okay read, the engagements are possibly a weaving or compilation of more than a few actual incidents. It reads like it should, technical fiction with reality thrown in for color and atmosphere. Sort of the idea of "Fire for Effect".
I started to read the second in the series, "Reports of Their Demise" but I don't think I will finish it. If I am not reading technical or educational material, I crave good fiction. This is fiction, but a little bit out of my favored genre.
Interesting and involved, but I'd had enough of the real thing decades ago.
Recommended, with the caveat that if you have a hard time with military strategy and lingo, it's going to be hard going for you. Worth it, but hard to swallow.
January 23, 2025
Couldn’t Put it Down
The best of the genre. Miles is a complex character and the book explores then tension between his better nature and complying with the wishes and demands of war. Set in Vietnam, the book is full of action, though bringing back the words and people of that ugly period, may make the action painful: Tet, Viet Kong, Gooks, and Westmoreland, may bring nightmares to those of us who were around during that time.
It is a fast-paced book and presents the barbarity of war without whitewash or romance. The book also looks unshakably at the overt racism of the time. It also relates the lies and the pressure on ground personnel to lie about their progress to feed the fantasy that Westmoreland manufactured about decimating communist forces and play down the impact on American soldiers. It was an ugly time.
The book isn’t perfect and we don’t expect a book of this genre to get deeply into the moral questions that the war posed. Brass and other senior officers and certain soldiers are one dimensional. But that lent room for the author to look critically at the main character, give a little history, and simultaneously make it action-filled and a real page-turner.
I surely stayed up too late a few nights because I could not put it down. The lost sleep was worth it.
The best of the genre. Miles is a complex character and the book explores then tension between his better nature and complying with the wishes and demands of war. Set in Vietnam, the book is full of action, though bringing back the words and people of that ugly period, may make the action painful: Tet, Viet Kong, Gooks, and Westmoreland, may bring nightmares to those of us who were around during that time.
It is a fast-paced book and presents the barbarity of war without whitewash or romance. The book also looks unshakably at the overt racism of the time. It also relates the lies and the pressure on ground personnel to lie about their progress to feed the fantasy that Westmoreland manufactured about decimating communist forces and play down the impact on American soldiers. It was an ugly time.
The book isn’t perfect and we don’t expect a book of this genre to get deeply into the moral questions that the war posed. Brass and other senior officers and certain soldiers are one dimensional. But that lent room for the author to look critically at the main character, give a little history, and simultaneously make it action-filled and a real page-turner.
I surely stayed up too late a few nights because I could not put it down. The lost sleep was worth it.
April 5, 2025
The author took me back to the boonies in Vietnam
There is no doubt that the author humped with infantry in Vietnam. So many memories of so many things, wait a minute vines, elephant grass, C&C choppers demanding impossible feats, body counts, etc. Marking rounds for reverse azimuths because the maps were worthless.
I was Infantry OCS, and the author was Artillery. He has captured the essence of jungle combat in Vietnam.
There is no doubt that the author humped with infantry in Vietnam. So many memories of so many things, wait a minute vines, elephant grass, C&C choppers demanding impossible feats, body counts, etc. Marking rounds for reverse azimuths because the maps were worthless.
I was Infantry OCS, and the author was Artillery. He has captured the essence of jungle combat in Vietnam.
April 25, 2021
Another splendid addition to the series.
Another great addition to his series. Several of the series regulars are returned to increase the storyline and make it more enjoyable. The realism and description of events make this another wonderful addition. I am looking forward to the next book.
Another great addition to his series. Several of the series regulars are returned to increase the storyline and make it more enjoyable. The realism and description of events make this another wonderful addition. I am looking forward to the next book.
June 2, 2021
Mesmerizing
As in the two previous series this is superbly written.
Character development and interaction is great. The way the relationship to charities of the Moon and Joke Miles series is rich. After reading g both of those this fits in perfectly. You don't read this you will miss a great read.
As in the two previous series this is superbly written.
Character development and interaction is great. The way the relationship to charities of the Moon and Joke Miles series is rich. After reading g both of those this fits in perfectly. You don't read this you will miss a great read.
January 22, 2022
A really good military action/thriller...
Follow Jif's assignment as an FO with the 173rd during the battle for hill 875. I was operating in the same area less a year later and am very familiar with Dan To and Ben Het. Very accurate account. Well done. I'll be reading the rest of the series.
Follow Jif's assignment as an FO with the 173rd during the battle for hill 875. I was operating in the same area less a year later and am very familiar with Dan To and Ben Het. Very accurate account. Well done. I'll be reading the rest of the series.
June 11, 2023
A heroic war story in Nam
This has the feel of a good war story. The protagonists are good people in screwed up situations doing their best. The battles are well done and believable.
It's happening in the Vietnam War, so incompetent officers, racial tension, and all the usual things do show up, but they aren't the focus of the story. The story is focused on the action.
This has the feel of a good war story. The protagonists are good people in screwed up situations doing their best. The battles are well done and believable.
It's happening in the Vietnam War, so incompetent officers, racial tension, and all the usual things do show up, but they aren't the focus of the story. The story is focused on the action.
July 19, 2023
Great book
I thought it started a bit slow but after the second chapter I really enjoyed it. He did his homework and could almost make you feel as though you were there. The only mistake I found is he referred to black soldier's as "African American" and this was 1967 and I don't remember that term being used back then.
I thought it started a bit slow but after the second chapter I really enjoyed it. He did his homework and could almost make you feel as though you were there. The only mistake I found is he referred to black soldier's as "African American" and this was 1967 and I don't remember that term being used back then.
December 19, 2023
Some unknown truths about the personal challenges faced by many of our Vietnam Veterans in this poorly run war by our government leaders. Made me sad for the young soldiers fighting against overwhelming odds with hands tied and angry at the inept government leaders truly responsible for so many of their injuries and deaths.
July 21, 2021
After half a century, the author has brought the war back to life…
Outstanding work. He must have been there, or knew men and women who’d been there, done that. Simply incredible. Awesome.
Outstanding work. He must have been there, or knew men and women who’d been there, done that. Simply incredible. Awesome.
July 31, 2021
Told the story; however it doesn't explain the attrition rate of "butter bars". During Vietnam
It came with Fire stick. Not totally realistic but close enough. The hero a little hard to believe. But a good story. Accurate descriptions of jungle
It came with Fire stick. Not totally realistic but close enough. The hero a little hard to believe. But a good story. Accurate descriptions of jungle
August 31, 2021
A story about artillery support in Viet Nam with added adventures about the CIA involvement and leadership reluctance to accept anything outside of their beliefs. Somewhat exaggerative but reflective of the reasons the United States lost the war.
September 29, 2021
GUNG HO
Tough, brutal, this was the real deal, the men and women who served in Vietnam fought and died in the worst conditions -
With senior officers who just wanted the glory at the expense of the fighting men.
No one wins in a war - it sucks!
Tough, brutal, this was the real deal, the men and women who served in Vietnam fought and died in the worst conditions -
With senior officers who just wanted the glory at the expense of the fighting men.
No one wins in a war - it sucks!
Read
March 11, 2022Viet Nam 1.967-68 then 1969-70
USMC 3rd 8 inch FDC I didn't do FO work l did enjoy this book. It's the first book I've read concerning Viet Nam. War is hell with a lot of up time down time scared time with a little time to rest.
USMC 3rd 8 inch FDC I didn't do FO work l did enjoy this book. It's the first book I've read concerning Viet Nam. War is hell with a lot of up time down time scared time with a little time to rest.
April 15, 2022
Well written book with one exception
The issue of discrimination by white troops to black troops was over stated. There were equal amounts of discrimination from both sides.
This is why I gave the book four rather than five stars.
The issue of discrimination by white troops to black troops was over stated. There were equal amounts of discrimination from both sides.
This is why I gave the book four rather than five stars.
September 22, 2022
The time line and place in the first part of this book belonged to 1/7 Cavalry, 1st Cav DIv
This is fiction for sure. Having been there at that time, I couldn't read past the first few pages. It did not compute to my memories.
This is fiction for sure. Having been there at that time, I couldn't read past the first few pages. It did not compute to my memories.
December 23, 2022
picked up for a short read, found an entertaining set
A good, solid Vietnam work at the time of Tet.
The troops come in all types, shapes, sizes and as is the case with every army there are good, bad, ugly and stupid
Well done
A good, solid Vietnam work at the time of Tet.
The troops come in all types, shapes, sizes and as is the case with every army there are good, bad, ugly and stupid
Well done
February 2, 2023
Good Story Told
Action packed intense story that never let up. Quick read showing the harsh reality of brave soldiers in the Vietnam War led by incompetent Generals following self serving political policies.
Action packed intense story that never let up. Quick read showing the harsh reality of brave soldiers in the Vietnam War led by incompetent Generals following self serving political policies.
April 3, 2023
great Vietnam action novel
The author really seems to know his stuff, almost like written from a grunts perspective. Treats draftees and lifers with equal respect and shows how some officers play the politics.
The author really seems to know his stuff, almost like written from a grunts perspective. Treats draftees and lifers with equal respect and shows how some officers play the politics.
June 27, 2023
Being a "Butter Bar" myself during the Viet Nam era, I could really identify with this story! The author told a very true and disturbing story! War is never pretty, but 'Nam was a game being played with poor intelligence and politics!!
I'll read all four books in third series!!
I'll read all four books in third series!!
September 25, 2023
A very enjoyable read. A Vietnam novel about the artillery. I’m a Vietnam veteran who was with an artillery unit there. While this is a novel, it is a very believable one. Now on to book 2 of the series.
October 28, 2023
Great read! Great Story!
This book is a Must Read for all readers of military novels!
Grasso puts you right in the middle of the story, the fire fights, the characters minds. You are there in the middle of it all.
Grasso is a master story teller!
This book is a Must Read for all readers of military novels!
Grasso puts you right in the middle of the story, the fire fights, the characters minds. You are there in the middle of it all.
Grasso is a master story teller!
March 13, 2024
Excellent Vietnam novel
Great book well written good characters. Apart from the volume of the action and the kill count it could have been a memoir. Clear that artillery is the queen of the battlefield.
Great book well written good characters. Apart from the volume of the action and the kill count it could have been a memoir. Clear that artillery is the queen of the battlefield.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews