#USMC 3rd Recon Bn

[casbooks]

Book 49 of 2024 (★★★★★)

Title: Never Without Heroes: Marine Third Reconnaissance Battalion in Vietnam, 1965-70 Authors: Lawrence C. Vetter Jr.

ISBN: 9780804108072 Rating ★★★★★ Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.Marine Recon, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.SpecOps.US.USMC

Description: FOUR CONGRESSIONAL MEDALS OF HONOR, THIRTEEN NAVAL CROSSES, SEVENTY-TWO SILVER STARS . . . In four and a half years in Vietnam, the Marines of the Third Reconnaissance Battalion repeatedly penetrated North Vietnamese and Vietcong sanctuaries by foot and by helicopter to find enemy forces, learn the enemy's intentions, and, when possible, bring deadly fire down on his head. Heavily armed, well-camouflaged teams of six and eight men daily exposed themselves to overwhelming enemy forces so that other Marines would have the information necessary to fight the war. It's all here: grueling, tense, and deadly recon patrols; insertions directly into NVA basecamps; last-stand defenses in the wreckage of downed helicopters; pursuit by superior North Vietnamese forces; agonizing deaths of men who valiantly put their lives on the line. NEVER WITHOUT HEROES is the first book to recount the story of a Marine reconnaissance battalion in Vietnam from the day of its arrival to its withdrawal. In Vietnam, Larry Vetter served as a platoon leader in Third Recon Battalion. He supplements his own recollections with Marine Corps records, exhaustive interviews with veterans, and correspondence to capture the bravery, and self-sacrifice of war.

My Review: Vetter said it best when he wrote that he wanted to "portray the history of the 3rd Recon Battalion and its men in Vietnam in a historical, factual, and personal way." Well, I have to say Mission Accomplished! Few books are as unflinchingly raw in their criticism as they are in their effusive praise, but Vetter pulls no punches when he describes just how out of touch the chain of command was from the actual situation on the ground that the Recon Marines experienced. Whether it was Gen. Walts refusal to accept reality because he had his own agenda to push, or the lack of support, respect, and belief the teams got from their rear commanders. The criticisms of the Generals alone is well worth reading in this book, especially the excerpts where Vetter looks at the Generals articles in the Marine Corps Gazette and shreds them for how much they lack any credibility to what was actually occurring in Vietnam during those commanders tours. But this book is more than just that aspect, it also tells the story of the history of the unit from the early patrols to the last ones. Telling both the big picture overview of what was happening in I Corps, the fights with Westmoreland vs Walt over how to prosecute the war in I Corps, and the on the ground view of teams in action throughout the Backyard, Charlie Ridge, Leatherneck Square and on the ground at Khe Sanh. The stories from the survivors of missions gone hellaciously bad, to the stories of those who were lost forever, Vetter manages to piece together multiple viewpoints, sources, and stories to give the reader the full picture of 3rd Recon's time in Vietnam. This book jumps from academic facts to incredible story telling with ease, page after page, and it is truly one of the best books on the subject of this incredibly heroic unit in the face of an enemy in the field and an adversary in it's own command structure.

[casbooks]

Book 30 of 2024 (★★★★)

Title: Vietnam Marines 1965–73 Authors: Charles D. Melson

Series: 43 of Osprey - Elite ISBN: 9781855322516

Rating: ★★★★ Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ARVN.VNMC, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ROK.ROKMC, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.USMC.Misc, Books.Military.Series.Osprey.Elite

Description: Osprey's survey of Marines during the second half of the Vietnam War (1955-1975). The period following World War II (1939-1945) saw a number of associated Marine Corps, three of whom fought together during the war in Vietnam from 1965 to 1973. These Corps were similar formations, but each had its own history and traditions: they were the United States Marines, the Vietnamese Marines, and the Korean Marines. Common to them was a reputation for toughness on themselves and any foreign or domestic enemies; strong unit pride and loyalty; and a privileged place within the political structure of their respective countries. This title by US Marine historian Charles Melson describes the history, weapons, equipment, uniforms and insignia of the US, Vietnamese and Korean Marines who fought in Vietnam.

[casbooks]

Books of 2023

Book 53 of 2023

Title: ANOTHER DAY DOWNRANGE, Two Tours Flying Chinooks in Vietnam Authors: Robert Patterson

Tags: ACH-47 Guns-A-Go-Go Chinook, Actor - John "The Duke" Wayne (Marion Robert Morrison), AH-1 Cobra, AUS ADF AA Australian Army, AUS ADF Australian Defence Force, AUS Australia, B-52 Stratofortress, CH-34 Choctaw, CH-47 Chinook, CH-54 Tarhe, EOD, F-100 Super Sabre, FAC, KHM Cambodia, KOR Korea, LAO Lam Son 719 (1971) (Vietnam War), LAO Laos, M113 APC, Movie - The Green Berets, NZ New Zealand, NZ NZDF NZA New Zealand Army, NZ NZDF Royal New Zealand Defence Force, O-1 Bird Dog, OH-23 Raven, OV-1 Mohawk, Pilatus Porter, US Bob Hope (Entertainer), US CIA Central Intelligence Agency, US MSTS Military Sea Transportation Service, US MSTS USNS Corpus Christi Bay (T-ARVH-1), US President Richard M. Nixon, US USA 147th Assault Support Helicopter Company, US USA 147th Assault Support Helicopter Company - Hillclimbers, US USA 177th Aviation Co, US USA 1st Armored Division, US USA 1st Aviation Brigade, US USA 205th Assault Support Helicopter Company, US USA 205th Assault Support Helicopter Company - Geronimos, US USA 213th Assault Support Helicopter Company, US USA 213th Assault Support Helicopter Company - Blackcats, US USA 271th Assault Support Helicopter Company, US USA 271th Assault Support Helicopter Company - Inkeepers, US USA 4th Infantry Regiment, US USA 4th Infantry Regiment - 2/14, US USA 73rd Surveliance Aircraft Company, US USA 74th Reconnaissance Airplane Co (RAC), US USA 8th Army, US USA 90th Replacement Bn, US USA 9th ID, US USA ACV Air Cushion Vehicles, US USA Fort Benning GA, US USA Fort Benning GA - OCS, US USA Fort Hood TX, US USA Fort Rucker AL, US USA Fort Rucker AL - Hanchey Army Air Field, US USA Fort Stewart GA, US USA Fort Wolters TX (1963-1973), US USA United States Army, US USA USSF Green Berets, US USA USSF Special Forces, US USAF Eglin Air Force Base FL, US USMC 3rd Force Recon Co, US USMC United States Marine Corps, US USMC VMF-124, US USMC VMF-221, US USN HA(L)-3 Seawolves, US USN MSC Military Sealift Command, US USN PACV Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle, US USN United States Navy, US USO United Service Organizations, VNM Can Tho, VNM Cau Mau Peninsula, VNM Chi Lang, VNM CIA Air America (1950-1976) (Vietnam War), VNM Cu Chi, VNM Dong Son, VNM Dong Tam, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM FSB Pace (Vietnam War), VNM Highway 22B, VNM Ho Chi Minh Trail (Vietnam War), VNM III Corps (Vietnam War), VNM IV Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Long Binh, VNM Long Binh Post - Plantation - II Field Force HQ (Vietnam War), VNM Long Binh Post (Vietnam War), VNM Mekong Delta, VNM My Phouc Tay Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain), VNM Nui Dat, VNM Operation Arc Light (1965-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Parrots Beak, VNM Phu Loi, VNM Poulo Obi Island, VNM Poulo Obi Island - USN Radar Station (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF Regional Forces/Popular Forces (Vietnam War), VNM RVN ARVN Vietnamese Rangers - Biet Dong Quan, VNM RVN General Duong Van Minh (Big Minh), VNM RVN SVNAF South Vietnamese Air Force, VNM Saigon, VNM Saigon - Hotel 3 Helicopter Pad, VNM Saigon - Independence Palace, VNM Tan Binh Forest, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VNM Tay Ninh, VNM U Minh Forest, VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US USA AAE Army Aviation Element (Vietnam War), VNM US USA Phu Loi Air Base (Vietnam War), VNM US USN MRF Mobile Riverine Force (Vietnam War), VNM US USN TF 117 MRF Mobile Riverine Force (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), VNM Vinh Long, VNM Vung Tau, VNM Xuan Loc Rating: ★★★ Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Aviation.US Army.Helos.Cargo

Description: This is not a diary like normal diaries, nor is it a history; it is a personal record of the helicopter war in Vietnam as I knew it, Depending upon the branch of service, type of unit, missions flown, and the area of Vietnam where missions were flown, one could surely find different accounts of what the helicopter war in Vietnam was like. Much of what I have read concerning the helicopter war coming of age in Vietnam says little about contribution of the CH-47 Chinook. Having seen it first hand during the war, I know that this aircraft’s contributions were tremendous. If you doubt it, look at what a workhorse the CH-47 was In Iraq and still is in Afghanistan as I write this. The Army learned that craft in Vietnam. At its peak deployment, there were (22) CH47 units and 750 Chinooks being used in Vietnam, both with the U.S. Army and the South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF). About 200 aircraft (27%) were lost in combat or due to operational accidents. I had then, and I still have now, the greatest respect for the aircrews, ground crews, and the support personnel who kept the CH-47 units in the fight.

Review: This was an ok book, kind of a slog to read through. I find that months afterwards though, I still think about some of the things I learned in this book, some of the things said, and those tidbits will stay with me for a very long time. For that reason alone, I do recommend checking out Patterson's story flying Chinooks because it's a story that isn't told by many and the info does give you a better nuanced look at what these pilots did vs the gunships, scouts, and slicks.

[casbooks]

Books of 2023

Book 5 of 2023

Title: Killer Kane Authors: Andrew R. Finlayson ISBN: 9780786477012 Tags: 1968 Washington D.C Riots, Averell Harriman, Bess Clements Abell, Camp David, Catoctin Mountains MD, CH-34 Choctaw, CH-46 Sea Knight, CIA, CIDG, From LAPL, General Herman Nickerson, General Samuel B. Griffith, General William Westmoreland, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, John F. Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Martin Luther King Jr, Maryland, North Korea, Okinawa, Okinawa - Northern Training Area (NTA), Robert McNamara, Soviet FROG-3 Missile, SpecOps, US Capitol Building, USA 3rd Infantry Regiment, USAF Kadena Airbase, USAID John Paul Vann, USMC, USMC 12th Marines, USMC 1st Force Recon Co, USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Brisbane (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Circumstance (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Club Car (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Countersign (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Killer Kane (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Swift Scout (Vietnam War), USMC 1st MarDiv, USMC 1st Marine Air Wing, USMC 1st Marines, USMC 1st Marines - 1/1, USMC 1st Marines - 1/1 - F Co, USMC 1st Marines - 2/1, USMC 1st Marines - 2/1 - E Co, USMC 1st Recon Bn, USMC 1st Recon Bn - E Co, USMC 1st Tank Bn, USMC 26th Marines, USMC 26th Marines - 1/26, USMC 26th Marines - 1/26 - F Co, USMC 3rd Marines, USMC 3rd Marines - 2/3, USMC 5th Marines, USMC 5th Marines - 2/5, USMC 5th Marines - 2/5 - F Co, USMC 7th Marines, USMC 7th Marines - 1/7, USMC 7th Marines - 2/7, USMC 7th Marines - 2/7 - G Co, USMC 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade, USMC Air Observers - Black Coats (Vietnam War), USMC Camp Hansen, USMC Camp Pendleton, USMC Camp Schwab, USMC Force Recon, USMC Marine Barracks Washington (8th and I), USMC Scout Dogs, USMC The Basic School, USMC Washington Barracks Guard Co., USN USS Pueblo (AGER 2), USNA, VNM 1968 Tet Offensive (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM A Shau Valley, VNM A Vuong River, VNM An Bang, VNM An Hoa, VNM An Long, VNM An Son, VNM Antenna Valley, VNM Ap Ba, VNM Arizona Territory, VNM Ba Na Mountain, VNM Base Area 112, VNM Battle of Hue City (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Khe Sanh (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Camp Hansen, VNM Camp Reasoner, VNM Charlie Med, VNM CIA Phung Hoang / Phoenix Program (1965-1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Col de Ba Lien, VNM Command and Control North/FOB-1 (Vietnam War), VNM Da Nang, VNM Da Son, VNM Dam Cao Hai Bay, VNM Dong Nhut Mountain, VNM DRV NVA 2nd Division, VNM DRV NVA 320th Reconnaissance Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 368th Artillery (Rocket) Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 3rd Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 402nd Sapper Battalion, VNM Elephant Valley, VNM Freedom Hill PX, VNM Happy Valley, VNM Hiep Duc, VNM Hill 170, VNM Hill 199, VNM Hill 203, VNM Hill 224, VNM Hill 324, VNM Hill 327, VNM Hill 35, VNM Hill 372, VNM Hill 381, VNM Hill 387, VNM Hill 406, VNM Hill 417, VNM Hill 441, VNM Hill 452, VNM Hill 454, VNM Hill 478, VNM Hill 498, VNM Hill 502, VNM Hill 537, VNM Hill 575 (Tam Dieo Mountain), VNM Hill 582 (Kon Chay Mountain), VNM Hill 592, VNM Hill 594, VNM Hill 623, VNM Hill 678, VNM Hill 749, VNM Hill 800, VNM Hill 89, VNM Ho Chi Minh Trail, VNM Hoi An Thuong, VNM Hon Cau Mountain, VNM Hue, VNM Khe Dienne River, VNM Khe Gio tributary, VNM Khuong Dai, VNM Loc Tu, VNM LZ Finch, VNM MEDCAP, VNM Mortar Valley, VNM Nam O Bridge, VNM Ninh Dinh, VNM Ninh Khanh, VNM Ninh Long, VNM Nong Son Coal Mine, VNM Nui Ba Hoa, VNM Nui Chom, VNM Nui Nhu, VNM Nui Son Ga (Charlie Ridge), VNM Ong Thu Slope, VNM Operation Arizona (1967) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Calhoun (1967) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Claxon (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Knox (1967) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Pecos (1967) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Snoopy (People Sniffer) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Union I (1967) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Union II (1967) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Wheeler (1967) (Vietnam War), VNM Phouc Ly, VNM Phouc Tuong, VNM Phouc Tuong (Dogpatch), VNM Phu Bai, VNM Phu Gia Pass, VNM Phu Loc, VNM Quang Duc Duc, VNM Quang Nam Province, VNM Quang Tri Province, VNM Que Son Mountains, VNM Que Son Valley, VNM Route 1, VNM Route 545, VNM RVN RVNP CSDB PRU Provincial Reconnaissance Units (Vietnam War), VNM Saigon, VNM Song Cu De, VNM Song Ly Ly, VNM Song Thu Bon, VNM Song Tinh Yen, VNM Song Vu Gia, VNM Song Yang, VNM Tam Kho, VNM Tam Talou Tributary, VNM Thach Bich, VNM The Enchanted Forest, VNM The Garden of Eden, VNM Thua Thien Province, VNM Thuan Long, VNM Thuong Duc, VNM Ti Tau Mountain, VNM Trang Bang, VNM Trao Hamlet, VNM Tu Phu, VNM US MACVSOG (1964-1972) (Vietnam War), VNM US MACVSOG Road Runner Teams (Vietnam War), VNM USMC AHCB An Hoa Combat Base (Vietnam War), VNM USMC Combined Action Platoon, VNM USMC KSCB Khe Sanh Combat Base (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), VNM Yellow Brick Road, Washington D.C Rating: 5 stars Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.Marine Recon

Description: 

  The leader of one of the most successful U. S. Marine long range reconnaissance teams during the Vietnam War, Andrew Finlayson recounts his team's experiences in the year leading up to the Tet Offensive of 1968. Using primary sources, such as Marine Corps unit histories and his own weekly letters home, he presents a highly personal account of the dangerous missions conducted by this team of young Marines as they searched for North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong units in such dangerous locales as Elephant Valley, the Enchanted Forest, Charlie Ridge, Happy Valley and the Que Son Mountains.   In numerous close contacts with the enemy, the team (code-name Killer Kane) fights for its survival against desperate odds, narrowly escaping death time and again. The book gives vivid descriptions of the life of recon Marines when they are not on patrol, the beauty of the landscape they traverse, and several of the author's Vietnamese friends. It also explains in detail the preparations for, and the conduct of, a successful long range reconnaissance patrol.

Review: 

Finlayson has a very particular point of view on the war, and warfare. Throughout the book, he is constantly made aware that his actions and behaviors are both dangerous and obsessive. Yet, even though he acknowledges it, and says he takes it to heart, he still has the narcissistic bent to ignore them and feel that his way is the right way. 

That’s both a positive and a negative.

His teams brought the war to the enemy and were immensely productive as far as kills and intelligence gathered. At the same time, they were in many ways reckless and dangerous. 

God loves a fool and who dares wins are basically how he operates.

Overall though, the book gives you great insight into HIS way of running recon teams, and how Team Killer Kane/Swift Scout operated, the gear they took, the places they operated in, and who the people were. His writing style is quick paced and gives you a good sense of his thoughts and emotions and allows you to understand where his head was at and what he experienced.

While there were a few errors, especially in regards to keeping track of a persons rank (one page they’re corporal, next they’re a sergeant), and the weapons (carrying my m-14, and had 5 magazines of 5.56mm), the book is well done. 

[casbooks]

Books of 2023

Book 15 of 2023

Title: NCIS History Special Agent VietNam Authors: Douglass Hubbard Jr. ISBN: 9780915266333 Tags: A-1 Skyraiders, AUS Catherine Anne Warnes (Murdered) (Vietnam War), CH-46 Sea Knight, CIA Bill Bludworth, CIA Foster Fipps, CIA Robert Gambino, CIA William Colby, H-34 Choctaw, HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, HKG Hong Kong, HKG Royal Hong Kong Police, John F. Kennedy, KHM Cambodia, KHM General Lon Nol, KHM Khmer Rouge, KHM Kompong Som, KHM US MSTS SS Columbia Eagle Incident (1970) (Vietnam War), KHM US MSTS SS Mayaguez Incident (Vietnam War), LAO Laos, LAO Nong Khai, LAO Vientiane, Law Enforcement, Military Intelligence, Military Police, Nungs, OV-1 Mohawk, OV-10 Bronco, PHL US USAF Clark Air Force Base, PHL US USN Naval Station Sangley Point, PHL US USN NCSA Philippines, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, President Lyndon B. Johnson, PRK North Korea, RUS VMF Russian Navy, RUS VMF Submarine Force, SGP Singapore, SpecOps, THA Bangkok, THA RTAFB Don Muang Royal Thai Airbase, THA Thailand, THA USMC MCAB Rose Garden/Nam Phong (Vietnam War), True Crime, UH-1 Huey, UK MI6/SIS Secret Intelligence Service, US Alvin Glatkowski (Mutineer) (Vietnam War), US Ambassador Henry Nolting, US Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge, US Ambassador Maxwell Taylor, US AP Malcom Brown (News), US Bob Hope (Entertainer), US CIA Central Intelligence Agency, US Clyde McKay (Mutineer) (Vietnam War), US DEA Drug Enforcement Agency, US Edwin Ross Armstrong (Defector), US Horst Faas (News), US Maw Maw (Black Power Organization), US MSTS Military Sea Transportation Service, US NBC Garric Utley (News), US Project 100000 (Vietnam War), US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, US Special Agent Basic School - Washington DC, US Students for a Democratic Society, US USA 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles), US USA 199th Light Infantry Brigade (Redcatchers), US USA 23rd ID (Americal), US USA ASA 8th Radio Research Station, US USA ASA Army Security Agency, US USA CIC Army Counterintelligence Corps, US USA General Creighton Abrams, US USA General William Westmoreland, US USA Green Berets, US USA Kitsie Westmoreland, US USA MI 525th Military Intelligence Group, US USA MI Army Military Intelligence, US USA Special Forces, US USA United States Army, US USAF General Robert Rowland, US USAF OSI Office of Special Investigations, US USCG United States Coast Guard, US USCG USCGC Chase (WHEC-718), US USMC 12th Marines, US USMC 1st Light Antiaircraft Missile Bn, US USMC 1st MarDiv, US USMC 1st MAW, US USMC 3rd MarDiv, US USMC 3rd Marine Counterintelligence Team, US USMC 4th Marines, US USMC 4th Marines - 3/4, US USMC 5th Marines, US USMC 7th Engineer Bn, US USMC 7th Marines, US USMC 9th Marines, US USMC General Herman Nickerson, US USMC General Leonard Chapman, US USMC General Lewis Walt, US USMC General Paul X. Kelley, US USMC General Robert Cushman, US USMC Major Les Barrett (Provost Marshall), US USMC Major Roger Simmons, US USMC Marine Security Battalion, US USMC Robert Garwood (Defector) (Vietnam War), US USMC Salt and Pepper (Defectors) (Vietnam War), US USN Admiral Earl F. "Rex" Rectanus, US USN Admiral Robert S. Salzer, US USN Commander Joseph Rochefort, US USN Construction Battalions (Seabees), US USN LtCdr John G. "Jack" Graf (POW) (Vietnam War), US USN MSC Military Sealift Command, US USN Naval Security Group, US USN NCSA Naval Counterintelligence Support Activity, US USN NCSU Naval Counterintelligence Support Unit, US USN NISO Naval Investigative Service Office, US USN NISOSF San Francisco, US USN NISRA Naval Investigative Service Resident Agency, US USN NISSU Hong Kong, US USN NISSU Naval Investigative Service Satellite Unit, US USN ONI Office of Naval Intelligence, US USN SEALS, US USN UDT Underwater Demolition Team, US USN USS Blue (DD-774), US USN USS Card (AKV-40), US USN USS Hampden County (LST-803), US USN USS Pyro (AE-24), US USN Washington Navy Yard, USAF Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service (ARRS), USMC 1st Force Recon Co, USN Admiral Elmo Russell "Bud" Zumwalt Jr, USN Admiral Jerome H. King, USN HA(L)-3 Seawolves, USN NIS Naval Investigative Service, USN PBR Patrol Boat River, USN PCF Patrol Craft Fast Swift Boat, USN US Navy, USN USS Pueblo (AGER 2), USN VAL-4 Black Ponies, VNM 1968 Tet Offensive (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM 4th Coastal Zone, VNM An Hoa Basin, VNM An Long, VNM AN Thoi, VNM Annamite Mountains, VNM Arizona Territory, VNM ARVN General Hoang Xuan Lam, VNM ARVN General Nguyen Chanh Thi, VNM AUS ADF Australian Army Training Team (Vietnam War), VNM Ba Sac River, VNM Battle of Hue City (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Khe Sanh (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Saigon (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Ben Hai River, VNM Ben Tre, VNM Ben Tre Province, VNM Binh Thuy, VNM Bright Light Operations (Vietnam War), VNM Buddhist Monk Thich Tri Quang, VNM Ca Lu, VNM Cam Lo, VNM Cam Lo River, VNM Cam Ranh Bay, VNM Camp Eagle (Vietnam War), VNM Camp Evans (Vietnam War), VNM Camp Reasoner (Vietnam War), VNM Can Tho, VNM Carrier Pigeons (Vietnam War), VNM Cau Mau Peninsula, VNM Charlie Med, VNM Chau Doc, VNM Cholon - 95 Nguyen Duy Duong St, VNM Cholon - Five Oceans BOQ, VNM Cholon - Hong Kong BOQ, VNM Cholon - St. Francis Xavier Church, VNM Cholon Provost Marshalls Office (Vietnam War), VNM Chu Lai, VNM CIA Air America (1950-1976) (Vietnam War), VNM Con Thien, VNM Cua Viet, VNM Da Lat, VNM Da Nang, VNM Da Nang - 20 Duy Tan Street, VNM Da Nang - 23 Doc Lap, VNM Da Nang - 23 Doc Lap Bar (Boom Boom Room / Blue Elephant) (Vietnam War), VNM Da Nang - Bridge Ramp (Vietnam War), VNM Dai Lac, VNM DMZ Demilitarized Zone - 17th Parallel (Vietnam War), VNM Dodge City, VNM Dong Tam, VNM DRV NVA General Vo Nguyen Giap, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV VC Phung Ngoc Anh - Dragon Lady (Assassin) (Vietnam War), VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM Emperor Bao Dai, VNM Fall of Saigon (1975) (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Ryder (Vietnam War), VNM Gia Dinh, VNM Go Noi Island, VNM Green Beret Affair (Vietnam War), VNM Hai Van Pass, VNM Haiphong, VNM Han River, VNM Hill 327, VNM Hill 37, VNM Hill 55, VNM Hill 621 (Son Tra Mountain) (Monkey Mountain), VNM Hill 65, VNM Ho Chi Minh Trail, VNM Hoi An, VNM Hue, VNM Hue - Hue University, VNM Hue - Le Loi Street, VNM Hue - Purple City, VNM Hue - The Citadel, VNM Hue - The Forbidden City, VNM Hue - Thua Thien Provincial Headquarters, VNM I Corps (Vietnam War), VNM II Corps (Vietnam War), VNM IV Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Kien Hoa Province, VNM LBJ Long Binh Jail - USARVIS US Army Vietnam Installation Stockade (Vietnam War), VNM Leatherneck Square (Vietnam War), VNM Liberty Bridge, VNM LZ Baldy, VNM Mekong Delta, VNM Moc Hoa, VNM Montagnards, VNM My Khe Beach (China Beach), VNM My Lai, VNM My Lai Massacre (1968), VNM My Tho, VNM Nam Can, VNM Nguyen Cao Ky, VNM Nguyen Van Thieu, VNM Nha Be, VNM Nui Mot (The Rockpile), VNM Nui Son Ga (Charlie Ridge), VNM Operation Market Time (1965-1975) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Sea Float/Solid Anchor (1969-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Starlite (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Parrots Beak, VNM Perfume River, VNM Phouc Tuong (Dogpatch), VNM Phu Bai, VNM Phu Quoc Island, VNM Plain of Reeds, VNM Port of Saigon, VNM Quang Ngai Province, VNM Quang Tri, VNM Que Son Valley, VNM Qui Nhon, VNM Rach Gia, VNM Red Beach Base Area (Vietnam War), VNM Route 1, VNM Route 4, VNM Route 535, VNM Route 9, VNM Rung Sat Special Zone, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN MP Quan Canh Military Police, VNM RVN ARVN MSS Provincial Military Security Service, VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF Regional Forces/Popular Forces (Vietnam War), VNM RVN General Duonh Van Minh (Big Minh), VNM RVN Marines, VNM RVN MSD Military Security Directorate, VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Diem, VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Nhu, VNM RVN RVNP Can Sat National Police, VNM RVN RVNP Police Chief Colonel Nguyen Van Luan, VNM RVN RVNP Treasure Fraud Repression Unit, VNM RVN SVNAF Da Nang Airbase, VNM RVN SVNAF General Nguyen Ngoc Loan, VNM RVN SVNAF South Vietnamese Air Force, VNM RVN VNN LDNN Lien Doi Nguoi Nhai Navy Frogmen, VNM RVN VNN LLHT Luc Luong Hai Thuyen Navy Coastal Force / Junk Force(Vietnam War), VNM RVN VNN Republic of Vietnam Navy, VNM RVNP CSDB Can Sat Dac Biet Special Branch Police, VNM Saigon, VNM Saigon - 98 Phan Dinh Phuong Villa, VNM Saigon - Brink BOQ (Vietnam War), VNM Saigon - Capital Kinh Do Theater, VNM Saigon - Caravelle Hotel, VNM Saigon - Cercle Sportif Saigonnais, VNM Saigon - Chi Hoa Prison, VNM Saigon - Continental Hotel, VNM Saigon - French Fort, VNM Saigon - Le Lai BEQ, VNM Saigon - Plantation Road, VNM Saigon - US Embassy (Vietnam War), VNM Saigon Provost Marshalls Office (Vietnam War), VNM Soi Rap River, VNM SOM SS Yellow Dragon Incident (Vietnam War), VNM Song Tu Cau, VNM Tam Ky, VNM Tan Chau, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base - Defense Attache Office (Vietnam War), VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base - Grey House (Vietnam War), VNM Thach Han River, VNM Thu Bon River, VNM Thua Thien Province, VNM Thuan An, VNM Tien Sa Peninsula, VNM Tu Cau Bridge, VNM U Minh Forest, VNM US CIB Combat Information Bureau - Da Nang (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US USAF Air Force Advisory Group (Vietnam War), VNM US USMC AHCB An Hoa Combat Base (Vietnam War), VNM US USMC CAG Combined Action Group (Vietnam War), VNM US USMC Camp Horn (Vietnam War), VNM US USMC CAP Combined Action Platoon (Vietnam War), VNM US USMC DHCB Dong Ha Combat Base (Vietnam War), VNM US USMC ECB Elliot Combat Base (Vietnam War), VNM US USMC FLC Force Logistic Command (Vietnam War), VNM US USMC III MAF Marine Amphibious Force (Vietnam War), VNM US USMC KSCB Khe Sanh Combat Base (Vietnam War), VNM US USMC MMAF Marble Mountain Air Facility, VNM US USMC QTCB Quang Tri Combat Base (Vietnam War), VNM US USMC VCB Vandergrift Combat Base (Vietnam War), VNM US USN Camp Tien Sa (Vietnam War), VNM US USN CBMU 301 (Vietnam War), VNM US USN CBMU Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (Vietnam War), VNM US USN COMNAVFORV Commander of Naval Forces Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US USN Da Nang Officers Club - Stone Elephant (Vietnam War), VNM US USN HSAS Headquarters Support Activity Saigon (Vietnam War), VNM US USN LSB Ben Luc (Vietnam War), VNM US USN LSB Logistic Support Base (Vietnam War), VNM US USN LSB Nha Be (Vietnam War), VNM US USN NAF Naval Air Facility Cam Ranh (Vietnam War), VNM US USN Naval Communication Station Cam Ranh (Vietnam War), VNM US USN NCSA Saigon (Vietnam War), VNM US USN NCSU Da Nang (Vietnam War), VNM US USN NCSU Saigon (Vietnam War), VNM US USN NISOV Naval Investigative Service Office - Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US USN NISRA Da Nang (Vietnam War), VNM US USN NISSU Cam Ranh Bay (Vietnam War), VNM US USN NISSU Chu Lai (Vietnam War), VNM US USN NISSU Quang Tri Combat Base (Vietnam War), VNM US USN NISSU Vung Tau (Vietnam War), VNM US USN NSA Naval Support Activity - Da Nang (White Elephant) (Vietnam War), VNM US USN NSABT Naval Support Activity Binh Thuy (Vietnam War), VNM US USN NSAD Naval Support Activity Detachment - Cua Viet (Vietnam War), VNM US USN NSAD Naval Support Activity Detachment - Thuan An (Vietnam War), VNM US USN River Patrol Boat Flotilla Five (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), VNM VNN VNI Vietnamese Naval Intelligence, VNM VNN VNNSB Vietnamese Navy Security Bloc, VNM VNN VNNSS Vietnamese Navy Security Service, VNM Vu Gia River, VNM Yankee Station (1964-1973) (Vietnam War) Rating: ★★★★(4 stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Naval, Books.True Crime

Description: “NCIS History-Special Agent Vietnam is a comprehensive account of naval counterintelligence and criminal investigations in Vietnam. Doug Hubbard's first-hand experience provides unique insights into this little explored topic of the war, and the addition of a broad spectrum of his photos complements the narrative with a real life appeal. In an era when the term "terrorism" was not yet in vogue, NIS' investigations of insurgent attacks against US troops is a grim reminder of current threats our military faces in Afghanistan and around the globe on a daily basis.” Michael Sulick, Former Director, CIA National Clandestine Service “Although the Viet Nam War gives up its secrets grudgingly, former special agent Douglass Hubbard unveils an intriguing account of U.S. Naval Intelligence operations in the Republic of Vietnam. Drawing on his three years’ service in Vietnam and his subsequent research and interviews, Hubbard weaves a masterful story with 'NCIS History Special Agent Vietnam' that is equally inspiring and frustrating-just as the war itself proved to be.” Colonel Joseph H. Alexander, USMC. (Ret.) author of the Battle History of the U.S. Marines “Doug Hubbard Jr. explores the seamy underside of the Vietnam War from his ‘catbird seat’ as a special agent of the Naval Investigative Service. At the most there were never more than twenty-one of these Naval Intelligence officers serving in-country, and they had to deal with an overload of such unsavory matters as counter espionage, sabotage, black marketing, currency manipulation, simple theft, drug trafficking, subversion, rape, and murder. Sometimes these investigations came to a brilliant resolution that Sherlock Holmes would have applauded. More often they foundered because of command apathy or indifference.” Brigadier General Edwin H. Simmons, USMC, Chief of Staff of the First Marine Division in 1970, former head of the Marine Corps History Branch, and author of Frozen Chosin: US Marines at the Changjin Reservoir “Doug Hubbard’s exposition with NCIS History Special Agent Vietnam defines a period of counterintelligence development in the Vietnam conflict and records its events for the first time. Compiled personal recollections of wartime special agents make this historical narrative a defining work in the legacy left by the group of Naval Intelligence professionals who devised rules for counterintelligence and force protection in the challenging and dangerous arena of Vietnam in the 1960s. Theirs was a monumental contribution to the U.S. government’s efforts to achieve stability in the Republic of Vietnam, particularly in the early days of the mission when much was accomplished by a select few.” Maynard C. Anderson, former Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Security Policy

Review - It was a decent book with a lot of historical information on the Vietnam War and NIS's members. The main problem with the book was how light it was on actual cases vs pages and pages of commentary of who was assigned when and where. Another major issue were the multiple misspellings (Viet Congo is a common one) and repeated paragraphs. It's not unreadable, but it had issues. But for the historical information, and a few insights into deserters, fraggings, and a few interesting cases, it's worth a read.

[casbooks]

Books of 2023

Book 8 of 2023

Title: Rice Paddy Recon Authors: Andrew R. Finlayson ISBN: 9781476618180 Tags: AC-130 Spectre, B-52 Stratofortress, Battleships, Bess Clements Abell, Camp David, CH-46 Sea Knight, Che Guevara, CHN China, CHN Hak Lee Shipping Company, CHN Hong Kong, CHN Kai Tak Airport, CHN Mao Tse Tung, CUB Cuba, Espionage, F-4 Phantom II, FAC, FRA ADT FFL 13th Demi-Brigade, FRA ADT FFL French Foreign Legion (Légion Etrangère), FRA Senegalese Tirailleurs, From LAPL, FSB Pony (Vietnam War), GBR England, GBR London, GBR Sir Robert Thompson, GBR United Kingdom, Hill 344, Intelligence, Jose Castillo Chavez (Cuban Guerilla), KHM Cambodia, KHM Cambodian Army (Vietnam War), KHM General Lon Nol, KHM King & President Norodom Sihanouk, KHM Operation Rock Crusher/Toan Thang 42 (1970) (Vietnam War), KOR ROKMC Republic Of Korea Marine Corps, LAO Laos, Lyndon B. Johnson, LZ Hambone (The Dog Bone), MACV Advisory Teams, Martin Luther King Jr, Military Intelligence, Nungs, OV-10 Bronco, Regis Debray (French Marxist), SpecOps, SPIE Rig - Special Patrol Insertion and Extraction, Tamara Bunker Bider (East German Guerilla/KGB), US CIA Central Intelligence Agency, US CIA Charles O. Stainback, US CIA Daren Flitcroft, US CIA Felix Rodriguez, US CIA Inspector General Charles J. Timmes, US CIA Merle Pribbenow, US CIA SAD SpeUS CIAl Activities Division, US CIA Ted Shackley, US CIA Tucker Gougelmann, US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), US USA 1st Cavalry Division, US USA 22nd Infantry Regiment, US USA 22nd Infantry Regiment - 3/22, US USA 22nd Infantry Regiment - 3/22 - C Co, US USA 25th ID, US USA 69th Heavy Construction Group, US USMC 1st Medical Battalion, US USMC General Samuel Jaskilka, US USMC III MAF Marine Amphibious Force (Vietnam War), US USMC United States Marine Corps, US USN USNA Naval Academy, USA Green Berets, USA Special Forces, USAF Colonel Edward Lansdale, USMC 1st Force Recon Co, USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Beach Nut (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Crazy Bone (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Forefather (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Hireling (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Hunt Club (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Icebound (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Killer Kane (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team May Fly (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Night Scholar (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Off Spring (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Paddle Boat (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Paddle Boat II (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Penny Wise (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Pickwick Paper (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Pony Team (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Puppet Show (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Recline (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Report Card (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Saddle Bag (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Scandinavia (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Screen Test (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Serviceman II (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Steel Rim (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Third Round A (Vietnam War), USMC 1st Force Recon Co - Team Trailer Park (Vietnam War), USMC 1st MarDiv, USMC 1st Recon Bn, USMC 1st Recon Bn - E Co, USMC 3rd MarDiv, USMC 3rd Marines, USMC 3rd Marines - 1/3, USMC 3rd Marines - 1/3 - B Co, USMC 3rd Recon Bn, USMC 5th Marines, USMC 5th Marines - 1/5, USMC 5th Marines - 1/5 - C Co, USMC 5th Marines - 2/5, USMC 5th Marines - 2/5 - E Co, USMC 5th Marines - 2/5 - F Co, USMC 5th Marines - 2/5 - G Co, USMC 5th Marines - 3/5, USMC 5th Marines - 3/5 - K Co, USMC 5th Marines - 3/5 - M Co, USMC 7th Marines, USMC 7th Marines - 3/7, USMC 7th Marines - 3/7 - I Co, USMC Aerial Observers, USMC Camp Pendleton, USMC Colonel Terry Allen, USMC General Herman Nickerson, USMC General Ormond R. Simpson, USMC General Ross T. Dwyer Jr, USMC HMM-364 Purple Foxes, USMC Lt. David "Hot Rod" Hundley - HMM-364, USMC Marine Barracks Washington (8th and I), USMC Washington Barracks Guard Co., USN USS New Jersey (BB-62), Vietminh, VNM 1 Doan Cong Bu Street, VNM 1968 Tet Offensive (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM 1969 Mini-Tet Offensive (1969) (Vietnam War), VNM A Shau Valley, VNM A Vuong River, VNM An Bang, VNM An Bang Plateau, VNM An Chuo Dao Mountain, VNM An Gao Mountain, VNM An Hoa, VNM An Ta Border Station, VNM Antenna Valley, VNM Ap Ba, VNM Ap Bon, VNM Ap Doi La, VNM Ap Phuoc Thuan, VNM Arizona Territory, VNM B-32 Special Forces Camp, VNM Ba Manh Canal, VNM Ban The Dao, VNM Base Area 112, VNM Base Area 116, VNM Base Area 354, VNM Battle of Hue City (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Bau Anh, VNM Ben Cui Rubber Plantation, VNM Ben Dau, VNM Ben Giang, VNM Bien Hoa, VNM Binh Dong Province, VNM Binh Duong Province, VNM Binh Thanh, VNM Boi Loi Woods, VNM Camp Reasoner (Vietnam War), VNM Cao Dai - Trinh Minh The, VNM Cao Dai - Yellow Dragons, VNM Cao Dai Giao Tung - Le Van Trung, VNM Cao Dai Religion, VNM Cau-Khoi Rubber Plantation, VNM Cay Me, VNM CIA Air America (1950-1976) (Vietnam War), VNM CIA Phung Hoang / Phoenix Program (1965-1972) (Vietnam War), VNM CIA Region I Headquarters - Da Nang (Vietnam War), VNM CIA Region III Headquarters - Bien Hoa (Vietnam War), VNM Command and Control North/FOB-4 (Vietnam War), VNM Cu Ban, VNM Cu Bon, VNM Da Nang, VNM Dai Hiep, VNM Dai Khung, VNM Dai Loc District, VNM Dai Viet, VNM DeGhia, VNM Deo Le Mountain, VNM Dien Bien Phu, VNM DRV Lao Dong Party, VNM DRV NVA 21st Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 2nd Division, VNM DRV NVA 2nd Division - 21st Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 2nd Division - 31st Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 31st Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 368th Artillery (Rocket) Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 36th Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 38th Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 40th Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 5th Division, VNM DRV NVA 7th Division, VNM DRV NVA 90th Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 9th Division, VNM DRV NVA Front 4, VNM DRV NVA Group 44 - Quan Da Provincial Unit, VNM DRV NVA Military Region 5 - MR5, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV NVA Unit 559 (Supply), VNM DRV VC 1st Regiment, VNM DRV VC COSVN Central Office for South Vietnam, VNM DRV VC Mobile Battalion C-40, VNM DRV VC Quang Da Unit, VNM DRV VC Rear Service Group 83, VNM DRV VC Section 7 / D46 Ground Reconnaissance Battalion, VNM DRV VC Spy Pham Xuan An, VNM DRV VC Sub-Region 2, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM Duc Duc, VNM Duc Duc District, VNM Duc Hotel, VNM Duc Xuyen District, VNM Duong Minh Chau District, VNM Freedom Hill PX, VNM French Indochina War (1946-154), VNM Geo Coc Mountain, VNM Go Dau Ha, VNM Go Noi Island, VNM Ham An, VNM Henderson Hill, VNM Hiep Duc, VNM Hiep Thien Dai, VNM Hieu Duc, VNM Hieu Thien District, VNM Highway 1, VNM Hill 1026 (Ap Bang Mountain), VNM Hill 1031 (Ban Co Mountain), VNM Hill 1143 (Yang Brai Mountain), VNM Hill 132, VNM Hill 232, VNM Hill 244, VNM Hill 31, VNM Hill 327, VNM Hill 332, VNM Hill 34, VNM Hill 350, VNM Hill 364, VNM Hill 374, VNM Hill 375, VNM Hill 381 (Nui Khuc Son), VNM Hill 406, VNM Hill 452, VNM Hill 481, VNM Hill 485 (An Chau Dao Mountain), VNM Hill 545, VNM Hill 551, VNM Hill 65, VNM Hill 734, VNM Hill 845 (Nui Mat Rang), VNM Ho Chi Minh Trail (Vietnam War), VNM Hoi An, VNM Hon Nui Tau, VNM Huu Chanh, VNM I Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Kham Duc, VNM Khanh Ly (Singer), VNM Khe Con, VNM Khe Dienne, VNM Khe Houa, VNM Khiem Hanh District, VNM La Thap, VNM Lanh An, VNM Lao Dong Party, VNM Liberty Bridge, VNM Long An Province, VNM LZ Barnes (Vietnam War), VNM LZ Finch (Vietnam War), VNM Marble Mountain, VNM Mau Chan, VNM Mau Chanh, VNM Mau Chung, VNM Michelin Rubber Plantation, VNM Minh Tan, VNM My Dong, VNM My Hiep, VNM My Hoa, VNM My Le, VNM My Loc, VNM My Phu, VNM My Thanh Dong, VNM Nhgi Thuong, VNM Ninh Long, VNM Nong Son Coal Mine, VNM Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain), VNM Nui Ben, VNM Nui Da Beo, VNM Nui Do, VNM Nui Duong Thong, VNM Nui Hon Sai, VNM Nui Mo Cam, VNM Nui Ro, VNM Nui Son Ga (Charlie Ridge), VNM Ong Thu Slope, VNM Operation Arc Light (1965-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Cliff Dweller II (1969) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Durham Peak (1969) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Henderson Hill (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Meade River (1968-1969) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Muskogee Meadow (1969) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Taylor Common (1968-1969) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Union I (1967) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Union II (1967) (Vietnam War), VNM Phouc Hoi, VNM Phouc Ly, VNM Phouc Tuong (Dogpatch), VNM Phu Bac, VNM Phu Khuong District, VNM Phu Lac, VNM Phu Loi, VNM Phu Nhuan, VNM Phu Phong, VNM Phuoc Hoi, VNM Phuoc Ninh District, VNM Phuoc Tan, VNM Quan Hoa Vang District, VNM Quang Nam Province, VNM Quang Tin Province, VNM Quang Tri Province, VNM Que Son Mountains, VNM Que Son Pass, VNM Que Son Valley, VNM Revolutionary Development Program (Vietnam War), VNM Route 1, VNM Route 14, VNM Route 22, VNM Route 239, VNM Route 26, VNM Route 29, VNM Route 4, VNM RVN ARVN 1st ID, VNM RVN ARVN Airborne Division, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN CIDG Civilian Irregular Defense Group, VNM RVN ARVN MSS Provincial Military Security Service, VNM RVN ARVN Provincial Interrogation Center, VNM RVN ARVN RF/PF Regional Forces/Popular Forces (Vietnam War), VNM RVN Binh Xuyen Pirates, VNM RVN Chieu Hoi Program/Force 66 - Luc Luong 66 (Vietnam War), VNM RVN DIOCC - District Intelligence Operations Coordination Center (Vietnam War), VNM RVN Kit Carson Scouts (Vietnam War), VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Diem, VNM RVN Nguyen Van Thieu, VNM RVN PIOCC - Provisional Intelligence Operations Coordination Center (Vietnam War), VNM RVN RVNP CSDB PRU Provincial Reconnaissance Units (Vietnam War), VNM RVN RVNP National Police, VNM RVN Spy Vo Van Ba, VNM RVN SVNAF Da Nang Airbase, VNM RVN SVNAF South Vietnamese Air Force, VNM RVN USA CRIP Combined Reconnaissance and Intelligence Platoon (Vietnam War), VNM RVNP CSDB Can Sat Dac Biet Special Branch Police, VNM Saigon, VNM Song Boung, VNM Song Cai, VNM Song Con, VNM Song Ky Lam, VNM Song Thien Yen, VNM Song Thu Bon, VNM Song Vam Co Dong, VNM Song Vu Gia, VNM Tam Hoa Refugee Camp, VNM Tan Phuoc, VNM Task Force Yankee (1968-1969) (Vietnam War), VNM Tat Lay Mountain, VNM Tay Ninh, VNM Tay Ninh East Airfield, VNM Tay Ninh Embassy House (Vietnam War), VNM Tay Ninh Province, VNM Tay Ninh West Air Base, VNM Thach Bich, VNM Thanh Hai, VNM Thanh Xuyen Refugee Camp, VNM Thon Ba, VNM Thu Bon, VNM Thua Thien Province, VNM Thuong Duc, VNM Thuong Duc Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM Tu Pho, VNM US MACVSOG (1964-1972) (Vietnam War), VNM USMC Combined Action Platoon (Vietnam War), VNM USMC MMAF Marble Mountain Air Facility, VNM USN Officers Club - The Stone Elephant (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), VNM Vinh Thanh Valley (Happy Valley), VNM VNQDD, VNM Vung Tau, VNM War Zone C, VNM Xom Ba Ao, VNM Zia Rong Rating: 4 Stars Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.Marine Recon

Descriptions:  A young U.S. Marine officer recounts his experiences of the Vietnam War over a nineteen month period. He graphically describes what it was like to perform three distinct combat missions: long-range ground reconnaissance in the Annamite Mountains of I Corps, infantry operations in the rice paddies and mountains of Quang Nam Province and special police operations for the CIA in Tay Ninh Province. Using Marine Corps official unit histories, CIA documents, and his weekly letters home, the author relies almost exclusively on primary sources in providing an accurate and honest account of combat at the small unit level. Of particular interest is his description of his assignment to the CIA as a Provincial Reconnaissance Unit (PRU) advisor in Tay Ninh Province, where he participated in several secret missions as part of the controversial Phoenix Program. The name and contribution of the CIA's most valuable spy during the war, the famous "Tay Ninh Source," is revealed.

Review: Finlayson’s 2nd book is a huge shift from his first. It spends more time talking about his experiences as a Marine company commander, as well as his time with the PRU. It gives a really good insight into the CIA/PRU program from his myopic perspective, as well as a bit about the Cambodian Incursion. 

He was thrust into a situation without the proper training or expertise, did the best that he could, and he readily admits his failures, which is important for a book like this. He’s very heavy handed with his beliefs though, even to the point of breaking off a friendship with a noted English scholar on the subject of warfare for their differing views. 

It’s worth a read, and is a good follow up to his first book.