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Days of Valor: An Inside Account of the Bloodiest Six Months of the Vietnam War
In this book the reader enters a nonstop maelstrom of combat action, leaving he or she nearly breathless by the end. The human courage and carnage described in these pages resonates through the centuries, from Borodino to the Bulge, but the focus here is on the Vietnam War, and a unique unit formed to take part at its height.The 199th Light Infantry Brigade was created from three U.S. infantry battalions of long lineage, as a fast reaction force for the U.S. to place in Indochina.
As the book begins, in December 1967, the brigade has been in Vietnam for a year, and many of its battered 12-month men are returning home. This is timely, as the Communists seem to be in a lull, and the brigade commander, in order to whet his new soldiers to combat, requests a transfer to a more active sector, just above Saigon. Through January the battalions scour the sector, finding increasing enemy strength, NVA personel now mixed within Viet Cong units. But the enemy is lying low, and a truce has even been declared for the Vietnamese New Year, the holiday called Tet.
On January 30, 1968, the storm breaks loose, as Saigon and nearly every provincial capital in the country is overrun by VC and NVA, bursting in unexpected strength from their base camps. In these battles we learn the most intimate details of combat, as the Communists fight with rockets, mortars, Chinese claymores, mines, machine guns and AK-47s.
The battles evolve into an enemy favoring the cloak of night, the jungle--both urban and natural--and subterranean fortifications, against U.S. forces favoring direct confrontational battle supported by air and artillery. When the lines are only 25 yards apart, however, there is little way to distinguish between the firepower or courage of the assailants and the defenders, or even who is who at any given moment, as both sides have the other in direct sight. Many of the vividly described figures in this book do not make it to the end.
As the book begins, in December 1967, the brigade has been in Vietnam for a year, and many of its battered 12-month men are returning home. This is timely, as the Communists seem to be in a lull, and the brigade commander, in order to whet his new soldiers to combat, requests a transfer to a more active sector, just above Saigon. Through January the battalions scour the sector, finding increasing enemy strength, NVA personel now mixed within Viet Cong units. But the enemy is lying low, and a truce has even been declared for the Vietnamese New Year, the holiday called Tet.
On January 30, 1968, the storm breaks loose, as Saigon and nearly every provincial capital in the country is overrun by VC and NVA, bursting in unexpected strength from their base camps. In these battles we learn the most intimate details of combat, as the Communists fight with rockets, mortars, Chinese claymores, mines, machine guns and AK-47s.
The battles evolve into an enemy favoring the cloak of night, the jungle--both urban and natural--and subterranean fortifications, against U.S. forces favoring direct confrontational battle supported by air and artillery. When the lines are only 25 yards apart, however, there is little way to distinguish between the firepower or courage of the assailants and the defenders, or even who is who at any given moment, as both sides have the other in direct sight. Many of the vividly described figures in this book do not make it to the end.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2006
257 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Robert L. Tonsetic
6 books5 followersRobert L. (Bob) Tonsetic, PhD, was born in Pennsylvania. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, he entered the Army as an infantry lieutenant. During the Vietnam War, he served as a light infantry company commander and as an advisor to Vietnamese Ranger and Airborne units. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star for extraordinary heroism during the 1968 Tet and May offensives. He retired from the army at the rank of colonel. After completing his doctorate in 1996, he taught at the graduate level at the University of Central Florida. He died in April 2016 in his home in Easton, Maryland.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 14, 2022
In his book, battalion commander Robert L. Tonsetic recounts his experience fighting with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade during the Vietnam conflict. He covers the period from December 1967 to May 1968, which were the bloodiest months of the war for the American forces.
199th Light Infantry Brigade worked to disrupt the enemy’s build-up and subsequent attacks on the strategic installations in and around Saigon, Bien Hoa, and Long Binh. Tonsetic writes in third person, drawing both on his personal memories and on the many interviews that he conducted. However, the focus of his work remains narrow because the majority of his interviewees also belong to the 199th Light Infantry Brigade.
The author mostly keeps his account at the ground level. This makes his depictions of the American troops' fighting not particularly different from any other combat memoir that I have read. The constant shift of focus from his own battalion to others, from combat tracker teams to different companies, recreates the chaos of jungle fighting persuasively, but also adds an element of chaos to his narrative. As Tonsetic explains in the introduction, he has attempted to demonstrate that not only his men's deeds were heroic and that others should be praised as well. I think that he should have stuck to his personal experiences, though, because he does not handle the widened focus well.
What makes his work stand out from others is the attention he pays to the enemy, giving them credit for being creative and skilled jungle fighters. He does not have a dismissive attitude toward them. He acknowledges that both the North Vietnamese Army forces and the Viet Cong were more than a match for the Americans in unconventional combat.
For instance, he provides a detailed depiction of the enemy's jungle base camps. They were constructed to effectively withstand a ground assault, and the site was selected with great care. Furthermore, the American helicopters also proved ineffective against them because the dense overhead foliage in the form of double or triple canopy jungle concealed the fortifications from the air. On the ground, the terrain clearly favored the defenders with excellent cover and concealment. The site also afforded the defenders some observation of an approaching force. This was accomplished by cutting one or two foot wide lanes in the jungle that could also be used as firing lanes in front of the enemy bunkers and trenches. These paths were often mistaken by American soldiers for trails worn by small animals moving through the jungle. The base camp was constructed to allow for defense from all sites, with an outer and inner ring of bunkers all connected by fighting trenches deep enough to provide cover and concealment to a crawling or crouching soldier. The trenches were dug in a zigzag to facilitate their defense even if the attackers managed to infiltrate them.
All fighting positions and bunkers were elaborately camouflaged with vegetation that was replaced daily. As Tonsetic narrates, "[c]ooking stoves were dug into the larger bunkers with underground chimneys dug horizontal for 50 or more meters, fanning out in several directions to dissipate the heat and smoke, making detection from the air almost impossible."
The fortified camp was also well protected with booby traps, mines, and improvised explosive devices that could be command detonated from the fighting positions and trenches. According to the author, the Viet Cong were particularly adept at rigging undetonated American artillery rounds and bombs with explosives. These explosive devices were buried along likely avenues of approach and hung from trees to inflict the largest number of casualties possible from airbursts. The devices were triggered by electrical firing wires from the enemy’s bunkers. The Viet Cong also employed homemade mines that were filled with nails, scrap metal, and bits of concrete. They were devastating, often killing and wounding dozens of troops caught in the open.
By underscoring the superiority of the Communists in jungle fighting, Tonsetic makes a strong point in favor of the argument that American commanders' sending American soldiers to fight in the jungle was virtually a sacrifice of human life. The Americans were not trained to deal with the enemy's tactics.
DAYS OF VALOR is not a life-changing read, but it will be of interest to those tired of reading only about the American tactics. Tonsetic does a great job describing how the Communists outfought the Americans and the ARVN, whom the American commanders had turned into a conventional army like the American one, with fewer means but more creativity and experience. The description to the author's work describes his account as direct, which might create the wrong impression that he expresses personal opinions about the American involvement in Vietnam. In reality, he focuses only on describing what he saw objectively. This book is informative and not biased. I recommend it as a well-written combat memoir.
199th Light Infantry Brigade worked to disrupt the enemy’s build-up and subsequent attacks on the strategic installations in and around Saigon, Bien Hoa, and Long Binh. Tonsetic writes in third person, drawing both on his personal memories and on the many interviews that he conducted. However, the focus of his work remains narrow because the majority of his interviewees also belong to the 199th Light Infantry Brigade.
The author mostly keeps his account at the ground level. This makes his depictions of the American troops' fighting not particularly different from any other combat memoir that I have read. The constant shift of focus from his own battalion to others, from combat tracker teams to different companies, recreates the chaos of jungle fighting persuasively, but also adds an element of chaos to his narrative. As Tonsetic explains in the introduction, he has attempted to demonstrate that not only his men's deeds were heroic and that others should be praised as well. I think that he should have stuck to his personal experiences, though, because he does not handle the widened focus well.
What makes his work stand out from others is the attention he pays to the enemy, giving them credit for being creative and skilled jungle fighters. He does not have a dismissive attitude toward them. He acknowledges that both the North Vietnamese Army forces and the Viet Cong were more than a match for the Americans in unconventional combat.
For instance, he provides a detailed depiction of the enemy's jungle base camps. They were constructed to effectively withstand a ground assault, and the site was selected with great care. Furthermore, the American helicopters also proved ineffective against them because the dense overhead foliage in the form of double or triple canopy jungle concealed the fortifications from the air. On the ground, the terrain clearly favored the defenders with excellent cover and concealment. The site also afforded the defenders some observation of an approaching force. This was accomplished by cutting one or two foot wide lanes in the jungle that could also be used as firing lanes in front of the enemy bunkers and trenches. These paths were often mistaken by American soldiers for trails worn by small animals moving through the jungle. The base camp was constructed to allow for defense from all sites, with an outer and inner ring of bunkers all connected by fighting trenches deep enough to provide cover and concealment to a crawling or crouching soldier. The trenches were dug in a zigzag to facilitate their defense even if the attackers managed to infiltrate them.
All fighting positions and bunkers were elaborately camouflaged with vegetation that was replaced daily. As Tonsetic narrates, "[c]ooking stoves were dug into the larger bunkers with underground chimneys dug horizontal for 50 or more meters, fanning out in several directions to dissipate the heat and smoke, making detection from the air almost impossible."
The fortified camp was also well protected with booby traps, mines, and improvised explosive devices that could be command detonated from the fighting positions and trenches. According to the author, the Viet Cong were particularly adept at rigging undetonated American artillery rounds and bombs with explosives. These explosive devices were buried along likely avenues of approach and hung from trees to inflict the largest number of casualties possible from airbursts. The devices were triggered by electrical firing wires from the enemy’s bunkers. The Viet Cong also employed homemade mines that were filled with nails, scrap metal, and bits of concrete. They were devastating, often killing and wounding dozens of troops caught in the open.
By underscoring the superiority of the Communists in jungle fighting, Tonsetic makes a strong point in favor of the argument that American commanders' sending American soldiers to fight in the jungle was virtually a sacrifice of human life. The Americans were not trained to deal with the enemy's tactics.
DAYS OF VALOR is not a life-changing read, but it will be of interest to those tired of reading only about the American tactics. Tonsetic does a great job describing how the Communists outfought the Americans and the ARVN, whom the American commanders had turned into a conventional army like the American one, with fewer means but more creativity and experience. The description to the author's work describes his account as direct, which might create the wrong impression that he expresses personal opinions about the American involvement in Vietnam. In reality, he focuses only on describing what he saw objectively. This book is informative and not biased. I recommend it as a well-written combat memoir.
December 22, 2010
This book is an excellent look at the 1968 Tet Offensive in III Corps taken from a grunts point of view. Having fought in the offensive in I Corps around Hue and Khe Sanh I can attest that the descriptions of the initial confusion, occasional temporary lack of support resources, and determination of the infantry, artillery, and air support are dead on. A good read for anyone who is interested in this era.
May 6, 2024
MUST READ!,,
Action packed from start to finish! This should be read by all, whether for, against, or neutral on the Vietnam war. The soldiers were expected to successfully execute their mission no matter their viewpoints. Then to think they were called names and spit upon when they returned home is despicable!
Action packed from start to finish! This should be read by all, whether for, against, or neutral on the Vietnam war. The soldiers were expected to successfully execute their mission no matter their viewpoints. Then to think they were called names and spit upon when they returned home is despicable!
January 17, 2025
Excellent information and recollections of war events from Vietnam. Lots of stories of true heroes were recounted from the Vietnam war.
While there is need for some correction of editing errors, the book was an easy and very interesting read!
From a fellow veteran, thank you for your service and your sacrifices!!
While there is need for some correction of editing errors, the book was an easy and very interesting read!
From a fellow veteran, thank you for your service and your sacrifices!!
June 30, 2018
A Fine Accounting
A most well written accounting of a particular group during a specific time in Vietnam. The author has gone to great pains to assure accuracy and easy reading. An exceptional read.
A most well written accounting of a particular group during a specific time in Vietnam. The author has gone to great pains to assure accuracy and easy reading. An exceptional read.
September 13, 2018
The aftermath of Tet 1968 and the men who served in the 199th LIB.
Very detailed and well researched account of the action leading up to Tet 68 and just as important, the ensuing battles.
Very detailed and well researched account of the action leading up to Tet 68 and just as important, the ensuing battles.
December 21, 2018
Tremendous b ook! So much heroism and valor!
I enjoyed this book but always aware of the sacrifices made by these valiant men. They deserved to be hailed as heroes, yet they received nothing! Unrecognized at best disdained at worst.
I enjoyed this book but always aware of the sacrifices made by these valiant men. They deserved to be hailed as heroes, yet they received nothing! Unrecognized at best disdained at worst.
April 9, 2019
Small unit actions
An excellent account of one brigade's fighting in VN, 1967-68. Very well researched and documented. The intensity of the fighting is very well described and the narrative is gripping. Wished there were more detailed maps.
An excellent account of one brigade's fighting in VN, 1967-68. Very well researched and documented. The intensity of the fighting is very well described and the narrative is gripping. Wished there were more detailed maps.
June 2, 2019
The stories of bravery are beyond belief, written in a way that puts you in the Jungles of Nam.
I would recommend this book to all the so-called politicians who supported "the rules of engagement" which caused more WIA's and KIA's and caused the loss of the war.
I would recommend this book to all the so-called politicians who supported "the rules of engagement" which caused more WIA's and KIA's and caused the loss of the war.
May 19, 2020
I highly recommend this book! A real life story of the great,brave soldiers who fought in Viet Nam during the Tet offensive around the Saigon area. Most Tet offensive books center around the City of Hue. I am so glad I was too young to serve in the War. I would not have been brave enough to do so.
November 6, 2020
Great details of the Redcatcher Brigade.
I was interested in this because my father served with 199 LIB. He knew Chaplain Litkey and others. He used to send letters about the bases and places named in this book. I found the maps helpful and the photographs very interesting.
I was interested in this because my father served with 199 LIB. He knew Chaplain Litkey and others. He used to send letters about the bases and places named in this book. I found the maps helpful and the photographs very interesting.
November 2, 2017
Outstanding!
Very well written, the level of detail in explaining each sides action was awesome. A very rewarding read. Thank you sir.
Very well written, the level of detail in explaining each sides action was awesome. A very rewarding read. Thank you sir.
December 24, 2017
Very good.
April 24, 2018
Good not great. Hue 1968 is the much better story of the 6 months.
June 29, 2020
Good read and very disturbing to see how these young men were led and so many wounded and killed. But a great read to understand exactly what these young men went through.
Read
December 29, 2020This was an excellent book. The hardship that was endured during this period was unbelievable. Thank you to our Military Personnel.
March 6, 2022
Good book, but occurred so long ago now.
April 7, 2024
It was well written about the 199th Light Infantry Brigade and the fierce battles they fought between December 1967 and May 1968. The book describes the intensity of their combat experiences against the Viet Cong. There were many stories of heroic soldiers who received the Bronze Star all the way to the Medal Of Honor. The author doesn’t hold back on the details of every battle and the cost of lives who were KIA and WIA.
September 13, 2013
Gave up after slogging through Chapter 2, then fast-skimming to see if anything really developed. If it would be at all appropriate to describe a writing style as 'monotone', this is it. I've read textbooks written with more verve.
This would be of interest to military historians who want the minutiae of division/regiment/company and the litany of commanding officers listed ad infinitum.
To those of us who are interested in the compelling, human stories of this tragic period this book is about as interesting as a telephone directory.
This would be of interest to military historians who want the minutiae of division/regiment/company and the litany of commanding officers listed ad infinitum.
To those of us who are interested in the compelling, human stories of this tragic period this book is about as interesting as a telephone directory.
March 7, 2014
This is a detailed Vietnam history book. The author respects and honors each person in the battles, which is good, but it distracts from the story because of how it lacks transition. The author is describing a battle scene and then starts explaining a person's birthplace, military background, etc. and this distracts the reader and the story line path is kind of lost.
October 18, 2012
Gsve up on this one a third through. Essentially an extra long AAR with only one map and a very dry writing style that would only be of interest to those who experienced the events covered or serious Vietnam War historians.
July 3, 2017
Good read, lots of details regarding geography, terrain and other difficulties that our soldier s encountered.
At times difficult to read because it was emotionally trying
Would recommend to any history buff . Overall a good read dependent on your interests.
At times difficult to read because it was emotionally trying
Would recommend to any history buff . Overall a good read dependent on your interests.
July 13, 2015
This book could have been good. But if I had wanted to read situation reports, I could have gotten them from the Army.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews