Gary Linderer

Really enjoyed this intimate look at Ranger, LRP, and LRRP missions during Vietnam. Linderer did an excellent job of taking the veteran interviews and weaving a coherent story for each mission/group featured rather than just quoting the veterans directly. I feel that Linderer is qualified to handle this sort of unique approach to writing as he himself was both a LRP and Ranger during Vietnam, and that experience shows.

Catholic boy from Missouri leaves for Vietnam and the 101st Airborne. Linderer joins the LRPs on a whim and begins his apprenticeship in infantry reconnaissance. Close calls add up in the A Shaw valley and the Roung Roung until his unit is almost completely overrun. He escapes with his life, but only due to his personal team members coming on a rescue mission (and a little help from a St Jude medal). Honesty in his critical opinions about some superiors, but without naming individuals, makes show more this book a literary and historical learning experience. The aim of the book is to reflect on the camaraderie of the group and what each soldier would do instinctively for the other. The book covers only the first half of the author's tour of duty. 16 pages of b/w photos, glossary, and list of casualties. show less

Linderer's finance kept all his letters sent to her by him from Vietnam. He used these to write this volume that as a result is really organized like a diary. It sure means an exciting, vivid read about the men who volunteered to be LRP's. The tension and violence he faced are evident on almost every page.
He was especially unimpressed by many of the men he met who served in the rear as support and included many examples.

Being of age to serve in Vietnam, I avoided it by being born in Canada. show more However, I do have an American friend who has shared some of experiences in Vietnam with me. He confirms a couple of Linderer's claims. There were many slackers in the rear and you never saw men smoke dope on the front lines especially while on patrol. I have read some memoirs where the writer makes this claim and I have no doubt it happened but Linderer makes special mention of it. show less

Not a lot of combat. Mostly occupying NDPs or moving quietly through the jungle. A few interesting moments like the time they tried to blow up a cave.