Danger Close!: A Vietnam Memoir

by Phil Gioia

Phil Gioia grew up an army brat during the decades after World War II. Drawn to the military, he attended the Virginia Military Institute, then was commissioned in the U.S. Army, where he completed Jump School and Ranger School. Not even a year after college graduation, he landed in Vietnam in early 1968—in the first weeks of the Tet offensive, which marked a major escalation of the war. Leading a platoon in the 82nd Airborne Division, Gioia took his paratroopers into the lifting of the siege of Hué—where death was always just around the corner—and the grisly discovery of mass graves of those executed by the Vietcong, during their occupation of the city. Wounded, he was sent home in April. Released from hospital, he commanded a paratroop company in the 82nd Airborne in 1968, returning to Vietnam with the hard-hitting First Air Cavalry Division a year later, this time leading a rucksack company of light infantry. Inserted into far-flung landing zones, Gioia and his men patrolled the jungles and rubber plantations along the Cambodian border, looking for a furtive enemy who preferred ambushes to set-piece battles and nighttime raids to daylight attacks. Danger Close! recounts the Vietnam War from the unique boots-on-the-ground perspective of a young officer who served two tours in two different divisions. He tells his story thoughtfully, straightforwardly, and always vividly, from the raw emotions of unearthing massacred human beings to the terrors of fighting in the dark, with red and green tracers slicing the air. Hard to put down and hard to forget, Danger Close! will remind readers of the best Vietnam memoirs, like Guns Up! and Baptism.

376 pages, Hardcover

Published June 15, 2022

Reviews

[Dennis R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phil Gioia has done a masterful job of condensing a full and interesting life to these few pages. Phil served his nation with incredible courage, fidelity and sacrifice.
Like many of us who came of age during the Vietnam War and served, Phil lived in a world full of change and experience. He grew up as an "Army Brat" and contended with the frequent moves with the loss of friends. Phil exemplifies the best of the American soldier, and he writes about his experiences with great pathos, humor, emotion and love for his county, his family, and the men he led.
For those who grew up as part of the Vietnam generation this book with be a tour back to those times for those who seek a better understanding of what was one of the most polarizing and divisive events in US history this book is a must.
Everyone who reads it will come away knowing more than they did before and that is a great accomplishment.

[Jeff Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad that Mr.Gioia wrote about being a so called army brat, letting us in on how it was like, family wise, going from one assignment to the next...loved the stories!
It was interesting to know that sales could have made on cheap toy guns if they could have been used as props in the jumpers holsters since many real side arms were lost as parachutes were being deployed.
And, ah man, can can you imagine seeing a young guy driving a convertible down the road with a couple of M60s hanging out the back seat!
Cheers and thanks for the memories!

[Garth Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A remarkable life has been detailed in this fascinating book by Phil Gioia.
The courage and bravery of professional soldiers is remarkable - in so many conflicts around the world over so many years, we the general public owe these people so much.
I did expect this memoir to be ‘more focused on Vietnam experiences’ however it was more aligned to Phil’s life and the upbringing he had as the son of a professional soldier - not quite what I was looking for but a very good read all the same.

[Mark M · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a memoir of Phil Gioia’s life, not a Vietnam memoir.
If you start the book knowing it’s his life memoir instead of a Vietnam memoir it will be a better read.