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The Platoon Commander: The Extraordinary Story Of The Man Who Led Australia's Most Decorated Platoon Of The Vietnam War
John O'Halloran was a country boy from Tamworth, NSW, who was called up for national service not long after the start of the Vietnam War. As a tough and determined 21-year-old, he guided 6 RAR's B Company 5 Platoon through some of the biggest conflicts of the war, including Operation Hobart and the Battle of Long Tan. But he faced his hardest military challenge at Operation Bribie, leading a fixed bayonet charge against a deadly Viet Cong jungle stronghold.
The Platoon Commander is an unmissable and devastating first-hand account of the realities and brutalities of war, and especially this war fought in jungles, not trenches, which would go on to bitterly divide Australians. O'Halloran's sense of duty and strong character carried him and his men through fierce battles and uncertainty. His sense of humour kept him going through the years afterwards. His indomitable spirit inspired the men of 5 Platoon to fight against the odds to achieve the mission - no matter how treacherous - and even away from the action and in the many years since O'Halloran kept the respect of his men.
Now regarded by many of his peers as a national treasure, John Patrick Joseph O'Halloran has been quoted in almost every important book written about Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, yet has never told his own remarkable story. Until now.
The Platoon Commander is an unmissable and devastating first-hand account of the realities and brutalities of war, and especially this war fought in jungles, not trenches, which would go on to bitterly divide Australians. O'Halloran's sense of duty and strong character carried him and his men through fierce battles and uncertainty. His sense of humour kept him going through the years afterwards. His indomitable spirit inspired the men of 5 Platoon to fight against the odds to achieve the mission - no matter how treacherous - and even away from the action and in the many years since O'Halloran kept the respect of his men.
Now regarded by many of his peers as a national treasure, John Patrick Joseph O'Halloran has been quoted in almost every important book written about Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, yet has never told his own remarkable story. Until now.
- GenresWar
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 9, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 8, 2021
‘At the start of the Vietnam War John O’Halloran was a national serviceman from Tamworth and never expected to serve overseas. He would go on to lead with distinction as a platoon commander in 6RAR’s B Company at three of the biggest conflicts of the Vietnam War. This is one soldier’s extraordinary account of a war that still haunts Australia.
John O’Halloran was a country boy from Tamworth, NSW, who was called up for national service not long after the start of the Vietnam War. As a tough and determined 21-year-old, he guided 6 RAR’s B Company 5 Platoon through some of the biggest conflicts of the war, including Operation Hobart and the Battle of Long Tan. But he faced his hardest military challenge at Operation Bribie, leading a fixed bayonet charge against a deadly Viet Cong jungle stronghold.
The Platoon Commander is an unmissable and devastating first-hand account of the realities and brutalities of war, and especially this war fought in jungles, not trenches, which would go on to bitterly divide Australians. O’Halloran’s sense of duty and strong character carried him and his men through fierce battles and uncertainty. His sense of humour kept him going through the years afterwards. His indomitable spirit inspired the men of 5 Platoon to fight against the odds to achieve the mission – no matter how treacherous – and even away from the action and in the many years since O’Halloran kept the respect of his men.
Now regarded by many of his peers as a national treasure, John Patrick Joseph O’Halloran has been quoted in almost every important book written about Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, yet has never told his own remarkable story. Until now.’
This book was fantastic.
I have a great interest in Australia’s military history so I have read a few books about the Vietnam War. However most of those are more military history-based, not personal accounts, so I was very excited to dive into this book.
Given that I am familiar with the Vietnam War, I found it relatively easy to 'see' where the events in this book were taking place, as I knew the general areas and the names and basic information regarding certain battles. This helped me get into a nice flow when reading and made it possible for me to focus on the stories and emotions of this book rather than trying to figure names and places.
I really enjoyed that this book didn’t start off in Vietnam. I liked that we got to know a bit about John O’Halloran before we started following his journey through the War. This familiarity helped later on when reading his recounts of battles and losses.
One of the things I really liked about this book was that John never sugar-coated anything. He spoke about things as he remembers them happening. He captures the good, bad and ugly, with an honesty that I really respected. Times have changed, and John acknowledges that but the events in this book are his truth so they are written as they happened not with political correctness or modern behaviours in mind.
Historically the Vietnam War and Australia’s involvement in it is a decisive issue, but regardless of your opinions on the War, hearing from and about the brave Australian’s; many of them conscripts like John, and their experiences is something that more Australian’s should be listening to and learning about.
This book will inform readers and hopefully open a dialog so that more Australian’s can learn about what Australian soldiers; both enlisted and conscripted, went through on the battlefields of Vietnam.
The Platoon Commander by John O’Halloran and Ric Teague is a must-read for every Australian.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
John O’Halloran was a country boy from Tamworth, NSW, who was called up for national service not long after the start of the Vietnam War. As a tough and determined 21-year-old, he guided 6 RAR’s B Company 5 Platoon through some of the biggest conflicts of the war, including Operation Hobart and the Battle of Long Tan. But he faced his hardest military challenge at Operation Bribie, leading a fixed bayonet charge against a deadly Viet Cong jungle stronghold.
The Platoon Commander is an unmissable and devastating first-hand account of the realities and brutalities of war, and especially this war fought in jungles, not trenches, which would go on to bitterly divide Australians. O’Halloran’s sense of duty and strong character carried him and his men through fierce battles and uncertainty. His sense of humour kept him going through the years afterwards. His indomitable spirit inspired the men of 5 Platoon to fight against the odds to achieve the mission – no matter how treacherous – and even away from the action and in the many years since O’Halloran kept the respect of his men.
Now regarded by many of his peers as a national treasure, John Patrick Joseph O’Halloran has been quoted in almost every important book written about Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, yet has never told his own remarkable story. Until now.’
This book was fantastic.
I have a great interest in Australia’s military history so I have read a few books about the Vietnam War. However most of those are more military history-based, not personal accounts, so I was very excited to dive into this book.
Given that I am familiar with the Vietnam War, I found it relatively easy to 'see' where the events in this book were taking place, as I knew the general areas and the names and basic information regarding certain battles. This helped me get into a nice flow when reading and made it possible for me to focus on the stories and emotions of this book rather than trying to figure names and places.
I really enjoyed that this book didn’t start off in Vietnam. I liked that we got to know a bit about John O’Halloran before we started following his journey through the War. This familiarity helped later on when reading his recounts of battles and losses.
One of the things I really liked about this book was that John never sugar-coated anything. He spoke about things as he remembers them happening. He captures the good, bad and ugly, with an honesty that I really respected. Times have changed, and John acknowledges that but the events in this book are his truth so they are written as they happened not with political correctness or modern behaviours in mind.
Historically the Vietnam War and Australia’s involvement in it is a decisive issue, but regardless of your opinions on the War, hearing from and about the brave Australian’s; many of them conscripts like John, and their experiences is something that more Australian’s should be listening to and learning about.
This book will inform readers and hopefully open a dialog so that more Australian’s can learn about what Australian soldiers; both enlisted and conscripted, went through on the battlefields of Vietnam.
The Platoon Commander by John O’Halloran and Ric Teague is a must-read for every Australian.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
July 3, 2021
Tamworth Boy Makes Good in Perth via Viet-Nam (and much of the rest of Australia)
I am just five years younger than the Platoon Commander and though not born in Tamworth I did grow up there. Two of my Tamworth High School classmates - that I know of - died in or later on as a consequence of horrific injuries. I was resigned to my birthday May 29 being selected - but it wasn’t - so I was not called up and did not face the prospect of service in a war about which I understood little but might well have seen initially as an adventure. I am grateful for the chance that did NOT come my way. John’s relatives were/are my mother’s solicitors. Small world. Though I understand the sterling work undertaken by Ric Teague in shaping John O’Halloran’s story - what I read nonetheless was so clearly in John’s voice that Ric’s “presence” is unobtrusive. This is a courageous and forthright re-telling of an early year in Australia’s engagement in Viet-Nam by a reporter who was there on the ground pulling no punches in honouring the men with whom he served under whom he served and who served under him - unless they did not so merit that honour. And his exposure of the dreadful torture inflicted upon To Thi Nau (the water torture woman) and of his mission to find her years later - was one of the more moving aspects of an ugly war - a truly reconciliatory action. I became a teacher - I taught refugees from Viet-Nam - “boat people” adults and secondary students - I undertook a Viet-namese language summer school at the ANU in January 1980. A cousin served in VN nowadays does considerable work with Viet-Nam Vets (PTSD/other concerns)…Thanks John for this memoir…may your final years in “the office” be all good! And to intending readers - do it!
I am just five years younger than the Platoon Commander and though not born in Tamworth I did grow up there. Two of my Tamworth High School classmates - that I know of - died in or later on as a consequence of horrific injuries. I was resigned to my birthday May 29 being selected - but it wasn’t - so I was not called up and did not face the prospect of service in a war about which I understood little but might well have seen initially as an adventure. I am grateful for the chance that did NOT come my way. John’s relatives were/are my mother’s solicitors. Small world. Though I understand the sterling work undertaken by Ric Teague in shaping John O’Halloran’s story - what I read nonetheless was so clearly in John’s voice that Ric’s “presence” is unobtrusive. This is a courageous and forthright re-telling of an early year in Australia’s engagement in Viet-Nam by a reporter who was there on the ground pulling no punches in honouring the men with whom he served under whom he served and who served under him - unless they did not so merit that honour. And his exposure of the dreadful torture inflicted upon To Thi Nau (the water torture woman) and of his mission to find her years later - was one of the more moving aspects of an ugly war - a truly reconciliatory action. I became a teacher - I taught refugees from Viet-Nam - “boat people” adults and secondary students - I undertook a Viet-namese language summer school at the ANU in January 1980. A cousin served in VN nowadays does considerable work with Viet-Nam Vets (PTSD/other concerns)…Thanks John for this memoir…may your final years in “the office” be all good! And to intending readers - do it!
January 7, 2022
A matter-of-fact account from an impressive soldier of a war in which Australian soldiers participated.
John O'Halloran was a conscript who spent a year in Vietnam and tells of the tensions of patrols "outside the wire" and battles fought when ambushed by the VietCong. His account brings alive the men who served with him. He gives their names and tells of their occupations before joining the army. He lets us know of times when superiors made incomprehensible decisions leading to loss of life. He felt that men of his platoon were entitled to more recognition for their actions , giving solid reasons.
Prior to reading this book, I have to admit to little knowledge of what happened in the Vietnam war other than "statistics". It reminded me of the bravery of the many soldiers who have represented our country. They were REAL people, not just numbers.
John O'Halloran was a country boy from Tamworth, NSW, who was called up for national service not long after the start of the Vietnam War. As a tough and determined 21-year-old, he guided 6 RAR's B Company 5 Platoon through some of the biggest conflicts of the war, including Operation Hobart and the Battle of Long Tan. But he faced his hardest military challenge at Operation Bribie, leading a fixed bayonet charge against a deadly Viet Cong jungle stronghold.
The Platoon Commander is an unmissable and devastating first-hand account of the realities and brutalities of war, and especially this war fought in jungles, not trenches, which would go on to bitterly divide Australians. O'Halloran's sense of duty and strong character carried him and his men through fierce battles and uncertainty. His sense of humour kept him going through the years afterwards. His indomitable spirit inspired the men of 5 Platoon to fight against the odds to achieve the mission - no matter how treacherous - and even away from the action and in the many years since O'Halloran kept the respect of his men.
Now regarded by many of his peers as a national treasure, John Patrick Joseph O'Halloran has been quoted in almost every important book written about Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, yet has never told his own remarkable story. Until now.
John O'Halloran was a conscript who spent a year in Vietnam and tells of the tensions of patrols "outside the wire" and battles fought when ambushed by the VietCong. His account brings alive the men who served with him. He gives their names and tells of their occupations before joining the army. He lets us know of times when superiors made incomprehensible decisions leading to loss of life. He felt that men of his platoon were entitled to more recognition for their actions , giving solid reasons.
Prior to reading this book, I have to admit to little knowledge of what happened in the Vietnam war other than "statistics". It reminded me of the bravery of the many soldiers who have represented our country. They were REAL people, not just numbers.
John O'Halloran was a country boy from Tamworth, NSW, who was called up for national service not long after the start of the Vietnam War. As a tough and determined 21-year-old, he guided 6 RAR's B Company 5 Platoon through some of the biggest conflicts of the war, including Operation Hobart and the Battle of Long Tan. But he faced his hardest military challenge at Operation Bribie, leading a fixed bayonet charge against a deadly Viet Cong jungle stronghold.
The Platoon Commander is an unmissable and devastating first-hand account of the realities and brutalities of war, and especially this war fought in jungles, not trenches, which would go on to bitterly divide Australians. O'Halloran's sense of duty and strong character carried him and his men through fierce battles and uncertainty. His sense of humour kept him going through the years afterwards. His indomitable spirit inspired the men of 5 Platoon to fight against the odds to achieve the mission - no matter how treacherous - and even away from the action and in the many years since O'Halloran kept the respect of his men.
Now regarded by many of his peers as a national treasure, John Patrick Joseph O'Halloran has been quoted in almost every important book written about Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, yet has never told his own remarkable story. Until now.
September 5, 2024
A really powerful and authentic account of one man's perceptions of a really important part of Australian history. Remarkably detailed and honest reflections of such traumatic events. Marbles drawn out of a barrrel totally transformed so many young lives in often devastating ways, impacting on them before they had even reached voting age. Another chapter of our history about which we can only feel shame and regret. Highly recommended reading for thinking Australians.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews