The Vietnam War evoked many wide-ranging emotions, depending on who you talked to. Some opposed it for political reasons while others supported it based on different values or beliefs. Many initially supported the war to defend South Vietnam from Communist incursion. After a while though, it became apparent that the South Vietnamese government was almost as corrupt as the Communist regime in Hanoi. The conduct of the war was also quite different from our prior military experiences. It was the first time we faced an enemy we couldn’t see, using Guerilla tactics we couldn’t defend against, in a land where we couldn’t tell friend from foe.
This book of poems recounts actual stories experienced by some of the young men and women who served there, told by them, as it honors their service. It’s meant to enlighten all people who weren’t there, about our most controversial war. These poems are raw, gritty, and true!
The Vietnam War evoked many wide-ranging emotions, depending on who you talked to. Some opposed it for political reasons while others supported it based on different values or beliefs. Many initially supported the war to defend South Vietnam from Communist incursion. After a while though, it became apparent that the South Vietnamese government was almost as corrupt as the Communist regime in Hanoi. The conduct of the war was also quite different from our prior military experiences. It was the first time we faced an enemy we couldn’t see, using Guerilla tactics we couldn’t defend against, in a land where we couldn’t tell friend from foe.
This book of poems recounts actual stories experienced by some of the young men and women who served there, told by them, as it honors their service. It’s meant to enlighten all people who weren’t there, about our most controversial war. These poems are raw, gritty, and true!
Into blazing sun we rode, early in the war,
upon our trusty, whirling steeds
venturing where few had gone before,
seeking NVA in hills, ravines, ‘n streams.
Within that deathly valley, River Drang did flow
upon a plateau of highlands full of hidden prey –
our undermanned battalion of 7th Cavalry
dismounting amidst a division of anxious NVA.
Terrain there was rugged, a challenge from the start,
with no roads ‘n highways, and few trails in or out.
Greatly outnumbered, little cover or support;
all feared an outcome much like Custer’s rout.
‘Neath Chu Pong Mountain that hot, sunny day
overwhelmed by hordes of rabid Vietnamese,
we were quickly surrounded in a bleak ‘n deadly fight;
our Hueys circling above like swarms of angry bees.
Fighting raged all afternoon, well into the night,
outmanned Cavalry taking heavy casualties,
but holding precious ground, through a hellish fight;
our aircraft pounding tenacious NVA with ease.
That long, bloody day, Hueys proved their worth,
as they supported with fire missions from high,
re-supplying troops below with ammo ‘n supplies;
evacuating our wounded, saving 70 American lives.
When fighting finally ebbed, ending that savage day.
We’d lost a third of our command;
worthy NVA had lost five times that or more;
U.S. artillery ‘n airmen, saving many an American.
Dawn broke early on a dreaded second day,
NVA launching countless, brutal attacks
on Charlie Company in combat, hand to hand;
a “Broken Arrow” plea finally sent, summoned
“all hands, on deck.”
U.S. airstrikes now obliterated enemy positions,
eliminating much of the NVA fighting force.
Charlie Co. survived, with only 49 healthy men;
that ghastly fighting had finally run its course.
We considered it a victory, bravely won,
believing technology, quickly, that war would win.
Sadly, the war thrived ten more deadly years,
costing thousands more precious lives –
both, Vietnamese and American.
This might be the most unique book about war I’ve ever encountered. There’s something about poetry that brings you into a subject more deeply than other forms of writing. Poetry jumps straight to the point, the rawness, and all that surrounds it. Knowing this, I was prepared for an emotional reading experience… but I also wasn’t prepared.
As the book illustrates on the first pages, the Vietnam War remains a controversial war to this day. No matter what your feelings are about the politics surrounding this era of history, it doesn’t take away from the horrors soldiers suffered there (and still suffer). This book draws from the experiences of real people, real veterans, and real tragedy.
Each of the poems in this collection does a spectacular job covering the many different aspects of the war, such as being on the battlefield, imprisonment, massacres, warfare, death, loss, injury, PTSD, protest, etc. It’s all here.
Some standout poems:
P.O.W. or War Criminal
What Fresh New Hell Is This?
In the Dead of Night
Trail to Victory
Pain and Suffering
Eternal Peace
The entire collection is worth reading, but these poems in particular struck a chord with me. As a whole, I would consider this book a must-read when studying Vietnam War history. Even history in general. The focus is on the human experience.
At the end of the book, the author lists short summaries of each poem along with where he got the inspiration, be it personal experience, something based on a certain battle, or someone else's story. I thought this was a wonderful addition.
I do feel the need to include a content warning due to the book containing a few graphic images depicting battle, injury, and death. Most of the images are not graphic, but I urge readers to determine for themselves if this is content they can handle.
Lastly, I would like to thank the author, Jerry Staub, for his service to the United States. It was truly an honor to read his words.