The Shake 'n Bake Sergeant: True Story of Infantry Sergeants in Vietnam
by Jerry S. Horton Ph.D.
On This Page
Description
A gripping, fascinating storyA gripping fascinating story, enhanced by the fact that the story is real and provides a full account of Dr. Horton's experiences being thrown into heavy combat after just a few months of training. Recommended reading for all.survival against all odds - in the trenches of VietnamI still can't believe they get out of there alive - couldn't put it down. This first person narrative of hand-to-hand combat in the trenches of Vietnam left me scared, glad to be alive show more and eternally grateful to those who died for my freedomCould not put it downA friend had mentioned this book to me. Once i received it i could not put it down. Jerry Horton joined the army to simply be able to afford to go to college. 40 years later he has a PHD and multiple degrees but they were earned at a heavy price for this patriot. Jerry shares his experiences in Vietnam in an articulate, honest and direct assessment of his time in Vietnam, the men he served with and the horrors of war. Incredible story of leadership and survival.Shake N Bake Sergeant aka Instant NCOJerry Horton absolutely nailed the life of a "Shake N Bake" Sergeant when he tells the story of dedicated soldiers trained at Fort Benning, GA and then follows them to Vietnam. This book is not only absolutely dead on accurate but gives the reader every aspect of what it was like to experience the war as a Shake N Bake Sergeant. Instant NCO's were trained for only one reason - to lead United States soldiers into combat and they did it with heroic efficiency and effectiveness with limited resources. This book is not just a home run - it is a Grand Slam. Interesting, accurate, full of suspense and you can't put it down. This book should be required reading for everyone so they can understand that Freedom is not Free. There is a cost and sometimes that cost is heavy. Horton brings it all across in a nonstop action format. It is a great read!If you really want to know what it was like...,This has to be the most realistic 'must read' book to come out of the VN war. If you ever read any book about this war - this is the one to read. You won't put it down and you won't ever forget it!From the book's review by the late COL(R) David Hackworth (most-decorated Vietnam veteran):"In 1968, the U.S. Army was running out of sergeants in Vietnam. Throughout military history, as least as far back as the Revolutionary War, sergeants were the backbone of the Army. This shortage of sergeants meant disaster in Vietnam. The NCO candidate school was created to solve this serious problem by doing one thing - train soldiers to lead men in combat. It was modeled after the Officer's candidate school but streamlined to meet this critical need for leaders in half the time. Graduates were known by most as "Shake 'N Bake sergeants" "Instant NCOs" since the got there rank fast from going to school.This book is the first time this important part of American history has ever been published. It is the first time anyone has given credit to Shake'N Bake sergeants - a credit that they so greatly deserved. At the time there were many who said they would fail. It seemed many did not respect them even though all destined for front line positions. The book documents how they proved their worth over and over again as front line infantry leaders even though for thirty some years their sacrifices have been unknown."An unforgettable mixture of vivid realism, poignant sadness and unexpected humor. Once you begin reading The Shake 'n Bake Sergeant, you will find it hard to put it down. See www.shakenbakesergeant.com. show lessTags
Member Reviews
Jerry Horton has a fantastic story to tell in his book, "The Shake 'n Bake Sergeant". The 1960's was a turning point in our society - the Baby Boomer Generation was coming on full tilt to change the world. Values were changing rapidly. Long hair soon replaced the crew cut hair styles of the prior generation, rock music, drugs and public displays of free love became the norm. The older part of this generation still believed in wholesome family values, fighting communism, believing our politicians and promoting higher education. Early on, this author envisioned himself to be a professional engineer one day - he went to college and worked hard toward this degree, but unfortunately, quit after the first year due to a lack of funding. He show more soon found that jobs were scarce and the money not enough to sustain himself and pay for college too. He found the perfect solution: join the Army and then use the G.I. Bill to fund his education.
The Vietnam War had been going on for some time and Jerry believed it would be over by the time he finished initial training. He always considered himself a leader and he was soon recommended by his instructors to enroll in The NCO Academy - Shake 'n Bake University. After successfully completing training, he was promoted to an E-5 Sergeant and sent to Vietnam. Infantry soldiers were still the minority in the war zone - only one of every thirty went to fight in the jungles while the other twenty-nine were in a supporting role. He was confident that with these odds, he wouldn't have to hump the boonies. Unfortunately, the odds didn't favor Jerry and he was the "One" in thirty.
Jerry was sent to the Army's 4th Division, operating in the central highlands near the Vietnam border with Cambodia. This area was a key funnel for enemy and supply infiltration from the Ho Chi Minh trail into Vietnam. The new sergeant soon earned the respect of his squad while patrolling through the jungles and mountains of this enemy stronghold. Most patrols were primarily recon missions to either find or monitor the enemy's movement. The Battalion officers used these soldiers as pawns - pushing them to exhaustion in their search for the enemy. The jungles were triple canopy and most difficult to hump through. The NVA had decades to prepare their defenses and encampments - all camouflaged perfectly - undetectable much of the time.
A Shake 'n Bake Sergeant was trained to lead soldiers into battle. They were also the most sought out by the enemy for extermination. The author's descriptions of these patrols and humps through the jungles, soldiers carrying everything they owned on their backs, were typical of most infantry units. These soldiers struggled with fatigue, hunger, thirst, insects and even a tiger and other large cats through the pitch black darkness. Jerry is soon promoted to platoon sergeant and is now responsible for 25+ soldiers. He was a good leader and led his men by example. His men trusted and respected the buck sergeant.
Jerry is in Vietnam for four months when the higher ups order the company to locate a suspected enemy force. Instead of small squad or platoon sized patrols, the company operated as a single unit. Unbeknownst to the men, they had stumbled into a well camouflaged and fortified basecamp. The NVA had expected them and placed snipers high in the trees - tying them in place. The enemy allowed the first two platoons to pass by unmolested before springing the ambush. The company was split in half, pinned down and completely surrounded by 1,000 plus enemy soldiers, many of them from an elite force of Chinese Nung soldiers of the 66th Regiment. This real estate housed the enemy Division headquarters and they were not willing to give it up. The battles were intense and it appears hopeless for the Americans. They run low on ammunition and water a couple of times during the 24 plus hours of fighting and are unable to land a helicopter for supplies and to evacuate the wounded. The trapped soldiers display courage, bravery and camaraderie as their ranks dwindle during the expected massacre. The reader is right there with the soldiers, ducking the flying lead and hoping for a miracle.
The author is severely wounded and spends months in a stateside hospital. He does survive the brutality and uses the GI Bill to pursue his Engineering degree after recuperating and getting out of the service. This book is exceptional and highly recommended. Congratulations Jerry - well done! Welcome Home!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel show less
The Vietnam War had been going on for some time and Jerry believed it would be over by the time he finished initial training. He always considered himself a leader and he was soon recommended by his instructors to enroll in The NCO Academy - Shake 'n Bake University. After successfully completing training, he was promoted to an E-5 Sergeant and sent to Vietnam. Infantry soldiers were still the minority in the war zone - only one of every thirty went to fight in the jungles while the other twenty-nine were in a supporting role. He was confident that with these odds, he wouldn't have to hump the boonies. Unfortunately, the odds didn't favor Jerry and he was the "One" in thirty.
Jerry was sent to the Army's 4th Division, operating in the central highlands near the Vietnam border with Cambodia. This area was a key funnel for enemy and supply infiltration from the Ho Chi Minh trail into Vietnam. The new sergeant soon earned the respect of his squad while patrolling through the jungles and mountains of this enemy stronghold. Most patrols were primarily recon missions to either find or monitor the enemy's movement. The Battalion officers used these soldiers as pawns - pushing them to exhaustion in their search for the enemy. The jungles were triple canopy and most difficult to hump through. The NVA had decades to prepare their defenses and encampments - all camouflaged perfectly - undetectable much of the time.
A Shake 'n Bake Sergeant was trained to lead soldiers into battle. They were also the most sought out by the enemy for extermination. The author's descriptions of these patrols and humps through the jungles, soldiers carrying everything they owned on their backs, were typical of most infantry units. These soldiers struggled with fatigue, hunger, thirst, insects and even a tiger and other large cats through the pitch black darkness. Jerry is soon promoted to platoon sergeant and is now responsible for 25+ soldiers. He was a good leader and led his men by example. His men trusted and respected the buck sergeant.
Jerry is in Vietnam for four months when the higher ups order the company to locate a suspected enemy force. Instead of small squad or platoon sized patrols, the company operated as a single unit. Unbeknownst to the men, they had stumbled into a well camouflaged and fortified basecamp. The NVA had expected them and placed snipers high in the trees - tying them in place. The enemy allowed the first two platoons to pass by unmolested before springing the ambush. The company was split in half, pinned down and completely surrounded by 1,000 plus enemy soldiers, many of them from an elite force of Chinese Nung soldiers of the 66th Regiment. This real estate housed the enemy Division headquarters and they were not willing to give it up. The battles were intense and it appears hopeless for the Americans. They run low on ammunition and water a couple of times during the 24 plus hours of fighting and are unable to land a helicopter for supplies and to evacuate the wounded. The trapped soldiers display courage, bravery and camaraderie as their ranks dwindle during the expected massacre. The reader is right there with the soldiers, ducking the flying lead and hoping for a miracle.
The author is severely wounded and spends months in a stateside hospital. He does survive the brutality and uses the GI Bill to pursue his Engineering degree after recuperating and getting out of the service. This book is exceptional and highly recommended. Congratulations Jerry - well done! Welcome Home!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel show less
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
1 Work 5 Members
Classifications
- Genre
- History
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 5
- Popularity
- 3,424,824
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (5.00)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 2
- ASINs
- 1
