Bøger om Vietnamkrigen

Many books have been written on the tragic decisions regarding Vietnam made by the young stars of the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Yet despite millions of words of analysis and reflection, no historian has been able to fully explain why such decent, brilliant, and previously successful men failed so badly. With this book?more than twenty years in the making?that changes.In Road to Disaster, acclaimed historian Brian VanDeMark draws upon decades of archival research, his own exclusive interviews with many of the officials involved with the war, and a wealth of previously unheard recordings by Robert McNamara and Clark Clifford, who served as defense secretaries for presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. Beyond that, Road to Disaster is the first account of the war to look at the cataclysmic decisions of those in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations through the prism of recent research in cognitive science, psychology, and organizational theory to explain why ?the best and the brightest? became trapped in situations that suffocated creative thinking and willingness to dissent; why they found change so hard; and why they were so blind to their own errors.A comprehensive history of America's descent into Vietnam during the 1960s that posits a striking new way of understanding that catastrophe, Road to Disaster is a landmark in scholarship and a work of paramount importance, both in comprehending what happened and why, and?just as importantly?preventing fiascoes in the future.

In January 1968, John Corbett and his fellow leathernecks of the 26th Marine Regiment fortified a remote outpost at a place in South Vietnam called Khe Sanh. Within days of their arrival, twenty thousand North Vietnamese soldiers surrounded the base. What followed over the next seventy-seven days became one of the deadliest fights of the Vietnam War—and one of the greatest battles in military history.Private First Class Corbett made do with little or no sleep for days on end. The enemy bombarded the base incessantly. Extremes of heat, cold, and fog added to the misery, as did all manner of wounds and injuries too minor to justify evacuation from frontline positions. The emotional toll was tremendous as the Marines saw their friends suffer and die every day of the siege. Corbett relates these experiences through the eyes of a twenty-year-old but with the mind and maturity of a man now in his fifties. His story of life, death, and growing up on the front lines at Khe Sanh speaks for all of the Marines caught up in the epic siege of the Vietnam War.

This book examines the response of American society to the My Lai massacreand its ambiguous place in American national memory. The author argues thatthe massacre revelations left many Americans untroubled. It was only whenthe soldiers most immediately responsible came to be tried that oppositionto the conflict grew, for these prosecutions were regarded by supporters ofthe war as evidence that the national leaders no longer had the will to dowhat was necessary to win.

Tommie Pueschel dreamed of flying ever since he was a little kid. It's now 1968, and U.S. Army Warrant Officer Thomas R. Pueschel is 22 years old and his dream of flying is being realized. Only thing is, he is in Vietnam and the helicopter he is flying is loaded with guns and rockets and while he may be flying, there's people on the ground who are shooting back at him. His dream has now turned into a full-blown nightmare. The events around him are encapsulating him, forcing him to do things he would never do, never even think of doing, and he's got no choice. In a letter home to his parents, he voices his concern:"All my life, you and the church have taught me, 'Thou shalt not kill' and yet, I now find myself on a ship which is taking me to a place where I will be expected to do just that. It is a battle that has been raging in me for many months now, and I cannot find what seems to be an answer, and I guess I will not until that final test comes when I come face to face with my enemy and have to tighten my finger on the trigger and blast the breath of life in an instant from the body of a fellow man. I know it will be him or me, and I think that I may be able to do it, but the thought still frightens me terribly. Can I really take the life of a man, and afterwards, can I really justify that act by attributing it to my own instincts for self-preservation?"This is the story of Tom's 423 days in Vietnam from his first days in that God-forsaken country in October 1967 through his "freedom bird" home on the 5th of December 1968. Vietnam was ugly and brutal and 1968 was the bloodiest and most deadly year of the war. Troop levels were at their highest (536,100 American troops) and the fighting was at its worst. As one of the original "Blue Ghosts", Tom flew over 900 missions in his 423 days and experienced "enough blood and gore for all." Much of Tom's story is told in his own words, through the many letters he wrote home, with his changing thoughts and insights, and his great attempts to call out for some of the normalcy of the life he left behind. It is also told through the history of the times, the decisions made by others that he had no say in but greatly affected him, and how expendable life can be in times of war. This is a unique portrayal of one soldier's journey through the Vietnam War and his own inner struggle with the consequence of what he was doing.

A Medal of Honor recipient looks back at his own service in the Vietnam War-and ahead to America's future.Jack Jacobs was acting as an advisor to the South Vietnamese when he and his men came under devastating attack. Wounded, 1st Lt. Jacobs took command and withdrew the unit, returning again and again, saving fourteen lives-for which he received the Medal of Honor. Here, Col. Jacobs tells his stirring story of heroism, honor, and the personal code by which he has lived his life, and expounds with blunt honesty and insight his views on our contemporary world, and the nature and necessity of sacrifice. If Not Now, When? is a compelling account of a unique life at both war and peace, and the all-too-often unexamined role of the citizenry in the service and defense of the Republic.

This did not happen is a common refrain throughout the stories in The Things They Carried. Tim O'Brien's account of the Vietnam War purposely blurs the line between fact and fiction to get closer to the truth of what soldiers actually experienced. This compelling volume explores the life of Tim O'Brien and his attempts to wrestle with the trauma and shame of war in The Things They Carried. A collection of related essays explore topics such as the moral complexity of war, writing as a path to spiritual redemption, and the novel's portrayal of gender. Contemporary perspectives on war, such as the need to help soldiers suffering from PTSD and not repeating the mistakes of Vietnam, are also presented.

Unearthing Spirituality from the Trenches: A Soldier's Faithful Odyssey in War and Peace.War and faith are two realms often viewed in stark contrast. Yet, in the midst of the battlefield's chaos, many soldiers find an unwavering spiritual anchor. For the religious veteran, the interplay between the harrowing experiences of war and the solace found in faith is a journey worth exploring.Soldier Saved By Others dives deep into this intricate relationship. Each chapter unfolds like a prayer bead, guiding readers from feelings of love and empathy to moments of rest, marked by gratitude and calmness. As we journey through the pages, we uncover the soldier's inner sanctum - the self - where righteousness meets civility, painting a portrait of the challenges faced and the strength drawn from a higher power.Dreams of perfection float like ethereal visions, only to be anchored by the steadfast pillars of religion, the warmth of the Holy Spirit, and the healing touch of forgiveness. This isn't just a tale of battles fought on foreign shores, but of the internal wars that rage within and the peace that can be found in faith.Targeted specifically at religious veterans, this book serves as a beacon, illuminating the path of spiritual resilience. It beckons readers to see beyond the horrors of war, into a realm where the human spirit, fortified by faith, triumphs over adversity.For veterans seeking understanding, families yearning to connect with their war-torn loved ones, or anyone intrigued by the fusion of military experience with deep spirituality, Soldier Saved By Others promises a transformative journey. Embrace a narrative where joy and happiness resonate, offering solace and enlightenment to all who venture within its pages.

The incredible true story of a top secret mission to resuce POWs in Vietnam. In the last year of the Vietnam conflict, even as American troops were leaving for home, there were still those fighting for their lives: prisoners of war being held in the Communist north. There were two operations launched to rescue the POWs. One-the legendary Son Tay Raid-was revealed to the public. The other was classified as Top Secret. This is the incredible true story of that almost-forgotten mission...Among the personnel recruited for Operation Thunderhad was a select group of operators from both the U.S. Navy SEALs and the Underwater Demolition Teams who knew that if they were captured, they would be killed, tortured, or simply disappear. They went in anyway. Here, for the first time, the details of Operation Thunderhead are revealed-the mission, the materials, and the men who put their lives on the line to save their brothers in arms.

Firefights, mortar attacks, and friendly fire were all part of the experiences of an infantryman in the jungles of the Central Highlands of Vietnam. But bugs, leeches, exhaustion, swamps, accidents, snakes, C-rations, digging in, cutting overhead cover, grief, humor, camaraderie, rain, thirst, impressive weapons, useless weapons, care packages, and much, much more filled up most of the infantryman's one-year tour in Vietnam.Daily life as an infantryman in Vietnam was a completely foreign experience compared to the lives most young American soldiers knew growing up. The war and the jungle saw to that. Soldiers had to cope and adapt. Almost all did.In this book, the author tells many stories of events he personally experienced during his year in Vietnam. Through these stories, he aptly describes the daily life and shared experiences of soldiers in the 4th Infantry Division in the jungles of Vietnam's Central Highlands.Anyone who has a personal connection with someone who served as an infantryman in Vietnam or simply has curiosity about infantry life in Vietnam will better understand, after reading this book, the answer to the question "What was daily life like for them there?"

They asked their company commander, "Why are we here?" They did not understand nor wanted to be in the Vietnam War.Looking back fifty-three years, he explains the background and the causes of the War. How and why the US became mired down in turbulent times of student unrest, political assassinations, anti-war protests led by Jane Fonda, Martin Luther King and other notables, as well as Civil Rights marches, corrupt and incompetent Vietnamese governments, meanwhile Presidents and Generals quietly had doubts about the War. So, he quietly mentioned to his soldiers, "Let's do our jobs and go home." They did their jobs, went home, and nobody cared.This book is not for those expecting Rambo-type heroics. Instead, its author and his men served their country not as fighters engaged in active combat, but as engineers, quietly going about the nuts-and-bolts business of building and repairing roads, bridges, and infrastructure. They accomplished their missions through difficult conditions including heavy workloads, drug abuse, racism, doubts about the war, arguments, and heated discussions about getting the job done, and being homesick for love. He then concludes with a suggestion for future wars.

Combat Engineers. The Unsung Heroes of Vietnam.August 25, 1966. Specialist Dan Crowley was among the handful of demolition experts assigned to a route clearing mission in support of Operation AMARILLO. His equipment load was the same as it had been numerous times before: a Claymore mine, TNT, C-4 explosives, blasting caps, time fuse, det cord, eighteen rounds for his M-79 grenade launcher, two hand grenades, and his Colt .45.But this would be no ordinary mission.The Viet Cong had just surrounded an American patrol along Highway 16. Crowley's outfit - Charlie Company, 1st Engineer Battalion - was among the smattering of units thrown together for this impromptu "relief force." History would call it the Battle of Bong Trang.In a war dominated by airmobile infantry, the combat engineers played a critical role in shaping America's battlefield victories. They built obstacles, dug defensive positions, set landmines, performed various types of demolition, and could fight as infantry whenever ordered.Fire in the Hole tells the story of Charlie Company, 1st Engineer Battalion during their deployment to the Republic of Vietnam in 1965-66. Told from the perspective of four Charlie Company veterans - Dan Crowley, Larry Blair, Chuck Humphrey, and Jay Franz - this book provides an intimate, no-holds-barred account of the combat engineers in Vietnam.

The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel, which won the young David Rabe an Obie and was hailed by The New York Times as "rich in humor, irony, and insight," is the story of a naive recruit's initiation into war. Sticks and Bones concerns a blinded Vietnam veteran who, returning home numbed by the war, is astonished by his family's inability to comprehend their country's politics and his rage.

Echoes of Vietnam captures an American soldier's memories of the journey from the comforts of home, to the jungles of Southeast Asia, and the grim realities of war. A retrospective five decades in the making, Echoes includes a first-person assessment of our nation's leaders in their role as overseers of the Vietnam war. Against the backdrop of our nation's current struggle to retain a constitutional republic, Echoes provides timeless insight into leadership shortcomings which can erase citizen confidence and erode the very freedoms our soldiers fought to protect. Echoes provides a soldier's analysis and comparison of Vietnam and Afghanistan end-of-conflict scenarios, and probes America's subsequent involvement in the Russia/Ukraine war.

On July 31, the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Maddox (DD-731) began a reconnaissance cruise off the coast of North Vietnam. On August 2, three North Vietnamese torpedo boats attacked the ship. On the night of August 4, the Maddox and another destroyer, the USS Turner Joy (DD-951), expecting to be attacked, saw what they interpreted as hostile torpedo boats on their radars and reported themselves under attack. The following day, the United States bombed North Vietnam in retaliation. Congress promptly passed, almost unanimously and with little debate, a resolution granting President Lyndon Johnson authority to take "all necessary measures" to deal with aggression in Vietnam. The incident of August 4, 1964, is at the heart of this book. The author interviewed numerous Americans who were present. Most believed in the moment that an attack was occurring. By the time they were interviewed, there were more doubters than believers, but the ones who still believed were more confident in their opinions. Factoring in degree of assurance, one could say that the witnesses were split right down the middle on this fundamental question. A careful and rigorous examination of the other forms of evidence, including intercepted North Vietnamese naval communications, interrogations of North Vietnamese torpedo boat personnel captured later in the war, and the destroyers' detailed records of the location and duration of radar contacts, lead the author to conclude that no attack occurred that night.

If you want to uncover more about some of the Vietnam War's most courageous American heroes, then keep on reading...Not many historic events have had such a strong impact on the way we see and live our nation's values as the Vietnam War.Entering the conflict to defend democracy and fight against the communists, countless Americans departed towards the unknown in the mid-60s.One of these units of brave men was the 173rd Airborne Brigade, better known as the "Sky Soldiers," or simply as "the Herd."During their six years in Vietnam, the Sky Soldiers fought relentlessly against the communist forces. From their early involvement in War Zone D operations, to the Battle of Dak To, this book pays tribute to their valiant efforts in the bid to prevent the collapse of democracy in Vietnam.Thank them for their service.

Với nhiều người trên thế giới, Việt Nam đồng nghĩa với những cuộc chiến tranh. Quả vậy, ròng rã hơn 30 năm, xứ sở này đã trải qua 3 cuộc chiến chống xâm lăng của ngoại bang. Thế nhưng đa phần họ không biết ở nơi chiến tranh, nghèo đói ấy vẫn có những cuộc sống nhân văn, trí tuệ, những tình yêu lãng mạn... Trong cuốn sách này, tác giả đã kể lại cuộc sống đời thường của những người dân, người lính Việt, cùng vô số câu chuyện li kỳ thời ấy. Đặc biệt là số phận của nhiều người miền Nam tập kết ra Bắc theo hiệp định Geneva 1954. Là người trưởng thành qua nhiều miền quê, nhiều chiến trường, Kìm Luc Le có góc nhìn riêng biệt và cảm nhận chân thật về cuộc sống thực của người dân hai miền Nam Bắc Việt Nam trong nửa cuối của thế kỷ 20.

I ALASKA KAN MAN DØ PÅ HUNDREDE MÅDER, MEN DET ER IKKE ALTID NATUREN, DER ER DEN FARLIGSTE …Leni er tretten år, da hendes impulsive far beslutter, at familien skal flytte til Alaska. I vildmarken kan de endelig leve, som de selv vil, være frie og uafhængige. I første omgang lader Alaska til at være svaret på deres bønner. De lange solskinsdage og de lokales sammenhold og generøsitet opvejer familiens manglende forberedelse og svindende ressourcer. Leni begynder at tro på en bedre fremtid for sig selv og sin familie, og følelsen af at høre til vokser, da hun bliver venner med den betænksomme Matthew.Men efterhånden som vinteren nærmer sig, og mørket sænker sig over Alaska, bliver forældrenes i forvejen vanskelige forhold forværret. I deres lille hytte – dækket af sne og indhyllet i atten timers mørke – går den frygtelige sandhed op for Leni og hendes mor: De er alene, og der er ingen, som kan hjælpe dem.Himlen over vildmarken er en smuk og barsk fortælling om jagten på et bedre liv, kærlighed, overlevelse og den rå vildskab, der skjuler sig i både mennesket og naturen.

After serving a 1 1/2 year tour in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division and surviving a total of 8 years, 9 months and 21 Days in the US Army, Russ Warriner learned he had PTSD. Dealing with the Combat Memories he calls Combat Demons is a lifelong struggle. Writing about my combat life and the aftermath has become one of his outlets. Becoming a life member of many veteran groups as well as starting a group that served in my type of unit and starting a POW/MIA weekend event has served me well to deal with the demons. Everyone who has PTSD deals with these demons in their own way. If this book can help at least one person to understand PTSD or help them deal with their demons, I feel it was worth the effort I put into writing it.

"Huey Crew Chief memories of Vietnam"--Back cover.

Known simply as The Wall, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial lists the names of over 58,000 soldiers who died in Southeast Asia during one of this country's deadliest military conflicts. And behind each of these names is a story waiting to be told...a story of patriotism, service to country, and sacrifice to the principles of democracy. There's the story of the Edison 64 from Edison High School in Philadelphia, the dozen soldiers from Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Chicago, and the brotherhood of the Morenci 9 and the Midvale three. Also appearing among the wall's 70 black granite panels are the names of over 3,000 soldiers from Ohio, including eleven young men from one of Ohio's least populated counties, Monroe County. Strikingly, over half of those soldiers from the county that died were from the small village of Beallsville...bestowing upon the village of less than 400 the unwanted distinction of having the highest per-capita casualty rate of any U.S. community during the conflict. While other works may have been written about these eleven young men, those works only skimmed the surface of their lives. This work delves into the similarities of their young lives and the differences that brought about their untimely deaths. Along with their families, these young men gave so much, and their stories need...no, they demand...to be told. Everyone Has a Story, and this is theirs.

Fifteen Minnesota nurses spent a year caring for the casualties of a divisive war, only to come home and descend into isolated silence. To heal themselves, they banded together as veterans.

Discover a thought-provoking and in-depth analysis from a dedicated citizen-soldier on the events of the Vietnam War and how it had profound long-term consequences for the American Republic. The Vietnam War's conclusion saw the discontinuation of conscription, severing the connection between the American people and the true costs of war. This disconnection granted national leaders greater freedom in military engagements with reduced public scrutiny. The rallying cry of "They are volunteers and want to be there" shifted responsibility away from elected officials, according to Stewart. He highlights the problematic nature of the "authorization for the use of military force (AUMF)," granting presidents the power similar to kings and leading to subsequent conflicts. Drawing on the wisdom of Athenian General Pericles, Stewart warns of our failure to learn from history's lessons.Stewart's target audience includes political leaders, active and retired military figures, and Vietnam-era veterans. He emphasizes the urgent need to comprehend the difficult choices required to reverse America's decline. Additionally, Stewart addresses a wider audience comprising service academies, defense colleges, and think tanks. His insights serve as a wake-up call, urging influential individuals to reassess the nation's trajectory and make informed decisions to safeguard the future of the American Republic.