THE SCREAMING EAGLES OF VIETNAM IN 1970 The Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne have been in combat against the elusive Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army for nearly five years. In his memoir; author John G. Roberts tells the story of the 2nd Battalion; 502nd Infantry Regiment; the "Widow Makers" of the 101st Divisions' 1st Brigade. Written in the often crude language of the combat infantryman; Roberts describes what it was like to confront the enemy during close combat in the triple-canopied jungles of I Corps; west of the Song Bo River and in the infamous A Shau Valley. As part of Operation Texas Star; the 502nd Infantry (the "O-Deuce") lost 30 men killed and over 200 wounded in a month long battle against the 29th NVA Regiment in April and May; 1970. JUNGLE COMBAT SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF A YOUNG SHAKE-N-BAKE SERGEANT Roberts relates the shock and grief he and others felt when his 11-man squad lost 3 men killed and five wounded in about an hour of combat. The fights around Hill 714; Hill 882 and the 4-month Battle of Firebase Ripcord received very little attention in the media. The press was focused on the April invasion of Cambodia and the May student shootings at Kent State University in Ohio. Roberts; like many Vietnam combat veterans; carried the symptoms of PTSD with him when he returned home. The author is very open about the 35 year battle he had with PTSD and alcohol. With help from his family and support from medical professionals at Veterans Affairs; he has worked out a truce with the demons of PTSD and now lives a quiet life in Southern California. JOIN THE O-DEUCE DURING OPERATION TEXAS STAR When you read Mighty Men of Valor: With Charlie Company on Hill 714 - Vietnam; 1970 you have the chance to experience life (and death) as an combat infantryman during the last big American-led battles of the Vietnam War as only someone who was there can describe them.
#668001 in Books 2016-03-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x .50 x 5.90l; .0 #File Name: 1476663785220 pages
Review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy J. S. PaulThis is a well documented book containing interesting information about these battles.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Outstanding Social HistoryBy William BozicThis groundbreaking work is a social history of Union General Nathaniel P. Banks’ 1864 disastrous military and political campaign expertly crafted by Associate Professor Henry O. Robertson of Louisiana College; who has done an extensive amount of research and masterfully created a detailed explanation and analysis of the conflict. The reader is also treated to newly created maps; original photographs; and some insightful; rarely seen lithographs of the era. An extensive bibliography and footnotes are provided along with an index.The ferocity of this campaign predated the no-holds-barred; scorched-earth; combat-by-the-knife style of fighting against combatants and civilians in Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign and Grant’s Overland Campaign. Robertson examines the causes for this rather dramatic change and its impact on civilians of all races and origins; as well as on the soldiers and their officers from both armies. Using the words of participants of all backgrounds and analyzing these sources; a clear picture emerges of the results of greed for cotton; resulting in devastation of the land; people; and culture of the region. Statistics and specific cases from election returns; loyalty oaths; the census; claims commissions; etc. are used as documentation with charts created by the author; as well as carefully researched personal accounts in the narrative.Although Cotton and its impact is covered; this book is not a retelling of Ludwell Johnson's Politics and Cotton; rather it fills a void in the scholarship of this campaign because it covers facets not previously covered.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Good solid narrative that all students of the Civil War will enjoy.By David MarshallDue to a great deal of research on the Civil War in the Western Theater by others; the main purpose of this title concerns why the Red River campaign happened in 1864 and its long term implications on the Civil War. Work on the authors research for this narrative started in 2004 at the Red River Civil War Symposium that was held at Louisiana State University. Henry Robertson writes about the commanders who played important roles in the campaign as well as fighting men of both the Union and Confederate armies. The writer points out numerous revealing anecdotes of hard war and destructive fighting that took place in Louisiana. This excellent historian shows throughout this tome that while this confrontation was not a turning point of the conflict; the desperation and ferocity of the fighting had never been seen in this important state prior to the Spring of 1864.The Red River Campaign and Its Toll is richly narrated and drawn from an array of firsthand accounts. This book's clarity of organization and accuracy of description; coupled with interpretive insights; enable the reader to gasp both details and the larger picture of the significance of this state to this region and the end of the war. Even with the brevity of the volume; this academic provides a thrilling and inspiring human interest account of the chaos and destruction in the Red River Valley. Ultimately; the small Confederate force under General Richard Taylor defeated the Union Army led by General Nathaniel Banks. A model study that helps expand the definition of campaign histories. This treatment published by McFarland Company is full of facts; details; and descriptions of the fighting. The text also contains vivid descriptions of the soldiers and civilians caught in the wake of death and destruction; making it interesting reading for not only the avid Civil War buff; but the casual reader. A well-researched and balanced work that will please many readers; especially those who enjoy exciting campaign histories. This reviewer recommends this tapestry.
