Jeff and Jimmy- A Vietnam Epistolary by R. C. Hamilton With the multitude of writings about Vietnam, most of which are now probably confined to the cobweb and the dustbin of forgottenness, we thought we have known the last of them. Yet, the story of Jeff Hamilton and Jim Ackerman weaves an irresistible aura about it, a stirring essence that defies all that we believe we already know about 'Nam. Jeff and Jim are town mates-from Mansfield, Ohio-who find themselves thrown in the same platoon at Vietnam, Jeff as the platoon leader, and Jim his radio operator. On a tour of duty on March 22, 1968, both will face invisible enemies who will force them to act in a way that will forever make their mark in the minds of those who know them. At first, what transpired on that day would appear to be as enigmatic to friends and families as the whole episode of Vietnam itself. The details, when they finally become known, appear to be as emblematic as to be what Vietnam is really all about. About the Author R.C. Hamilton worked for over thirty years in an academic library in western Pennsylvania. During that time, he and his wife and son lived on a family farm and raised Scottish Highland Cattle in a Minor Breeds conservancy program. He was also a multi-instrumentalist and performer in a Scottish/Irish Traditional folk music band, ARAN, was a distance runner and sometime triathlon participant. His work has appeared in the O. Henry Awards short stories anthologies, the Antioch Review, Confrontation Magazine, Tropic magazine, Country Journal, Running Times; he was a regular freelance contributor to Westsylvania magazine and numerous other publications. He has won the Golden Quill Award for nonfiction (sports category) and has twice won the Westmoreland Award for poetry, and also the same award for fiction. He is now retired. He and his wife live in Alamogordo, New Mexico, which has over 300 sun days each year, and where he continues to practice the Irish bouzouki, button accordion, penny whistle and guitar and still tries to improve his technique-which is a perpetual labor of love. This is his second published book of narrative nonfiction.

In 1985 Thomas C. Thayer's War Without Fronts offered a wealth of data and analysis on U.S. military operations in the Vietnam War and provided a fresh and provocative take on the infamous conflict. When first published, reviewers agreed it was an invaluable text; Vietnam War historians still cite Thayer in modern studies. Long out-of-print, this new edition should facilitate the ongoing conversation about how the American war in Vietnam continues to serve as a comparison for more recent U.S. overseas military campaigns. Thomas Thayer worked as a systems analyst for the Office of the Secretary of Defense during the late 1960s and early 1970s, compiling data to better understand the war and find trends that might help improve U.S. civil and military operations. His work thus offers an insider's view of American military strategy during the Vietnam War and of how military operations affected the Vietnamese people.

America's involvement in the Vietnam War created much controversy in its time. Violent demonstrations and fiery debates filled the evening news in the 60s. Vietnam veterans returning from over seas quite often experienced dejection and were demonized by some segments of society. While this was going on, the ordinary soldier in Vietnam was experiencing his own world of hardships and survival. This book is about the facts of everyday life in war zone c. It involves my firsthand experiences along with the experiences of other soldiers. After presenting the true narratives, poems have been introduced to display the true feelings, moods, and attitudes that were unique in a life of hardship and horror within the rubber plantations and jungles of Southeast Asia. Gather the pieces of history now while you can still get them first hand.

Memories of personal experiences incountry Vietnam between 1965 and 1971. Some are risque but written so as not to offend. Enjoy how the real war was fought in episodes of the Brown Water Navy.

A psychologist, through letters and narrative, describes his forty-three year journey from war in Vietnam to the present day. How does a returning war veteran re-integrate his life after the moral ambiguity of war, killing, the death of friends, and a naive, disinterested public? Combat trauma, reconciliation, and healing are woven into a story of daily faith.

The assassination of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem on November 1, 1963, left a leadership void in Saigon that was never filled. Heads of state went through Saigon like a revolving door, yet none of them were able to successfully lead and govern the people of South Vietnam. On the other side of the globe, President of the United States John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. While the U.S. had a line of succession, President Johnson was relatively new to the Vietnam situation. Even though Johnson was new, he still had Kennedy's cabinet and advisers to aid his decisions. Despite this, by early 1964 two new leaders, Nguyen Khanh and Lyndon Johnson sought a solution to the decades long struggle in Vietnam. President Johnson inherited a three-front war in Vietnam. One front was North Vietnamese support of the Viet Cong (VC) insurgency in South Vietnam, and Johnson had to stop this support in order to defeat the VC. The insurgency itself constituted another front that had to be defeated in order to maintain a free and independent South Vietnam. The third overarching front was the creation of a stable and legitimate government in Saigon capable of governing the people of South Vietnam. The question for his administration was on which of these aspects to focus. Before Johnson could make that decision, he first had to decide if the U.S. should continue to aid Saigon; therefore, he had three options: leave Vietnam, continue in an advisory role, or escalate U.S. involvement. The political and military situations in Vietnam deteriorated to such a point through 1964-1965 that by February 1965 there were no good choices left from which President Johnson could choose. Johnson desired for there to be a stable South Vietnamese government before he committed U.S. forces to its defense; however, no such government emerged. The administration was unwilling to risk U.S. prestige, resources, and lives unless they were confident South Vietnam could succeed without U.S. support. Because of the instability in South Vietnam as well as the perceived risk of communist aggression, President Johnson decided that escalatory military actions would be limited and gradual. Therefore, President Johnson made the least bad decision he could in February 1965 by initiating Operation ROLLING THUNDER and committing the United States to the Vietnam War.

Two hundred and fifty-five men earned the nation's highest award, the Medal of Honor, during Vietnam; fourteen Airmen, fifty-seven Marines, fifteen Sailors, and one hundred and seventy Soldiers. The author is donating all profits he receives equally to the American Legion, the Disabled America Veterans, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Brian D. Blodgett, a professor of History and Military History at the American Public University System (American Military University and American Public University). He is a native of Ohio and a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer who served two tours in the Republic of South Korea. Both tours were with the 2nd Infantry Division, 1989-1990 as an Infantryman and 2003-2004 as an Intelligence Analyst. He resides in Maryland.