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Swift Sword: The True Story of the Marines of MIKE 3/5 in Vietnam, 4 September 1967
In Swift Sword, the masterful storyteller Doyle Glass expertly transports his audience into the throes of Operation Swift in the Que Son Valley, Vietnam. His vivid narrative is the fruit of true accounts shared by veterans who managed to emerge from the chaos of the Vietnam War. Glass marries raw information and first-hand testimonies in his work, deftly encapsulating the myriad of emotions and adversities encountered by the US Marines during this devastating ambush, which resulted in the unfortunate loss of 124 soldiers.
The author skillfully illuminates the profound trials endured by these veterans, with a particular emphasis on those who served in the Vietnam War. Swift Sword pays homage to the gallant warriors who put everything on the line for their country. The narrative serves as a stark testament to the men who made the ultimate sacrifice and the survivors who bear the lifelong burden of losing their comrades.
The visceral depictions of the trauma experienced by these soldiers are woven skillfully throughout the book. Glass provides a somber reflection on the pervasive and enduring destruction caused by war on the lives of those involved. Yet, within this turbulent narrative, he manages to highlight the resilience of the human spirit, showcasing how these brave men found hope, maintained loyalty to their comrades, and nurtured deep love for their families.
Swift Sword provides readers with an invaluable glimpse into the operations of the Marines and the stark realities of the Vietnam War. While the narrative may occasionally prove complex due to the use of military abbreviations and jargon, Glass astutely includes a comprehensive glossary at the end of the book to aid understanding.
This book is a remarkable testament to Glass’s meticulous research and unflinching dedication to honoring war veterans, even when it meant navigating painful memories. His work proves to be both enlightening and educational, a truly compelling read.
If your literary appetite gravitates towards personal narratives, especially those of war veterans, then Swift Sword is an indispensable addition to your reading list. Brace yourself for a deep-dive into the poignant and profoundly human experiences of those who served in the Vietnam War.
Pages: 295 | ASIN : B00LGDVLYY
Sea Pay
Sea Pay by Bob Dorgan is a rollicking tale of an enlisted sailor making the most of his time in the United States Navy during the late 70s and early 80s. The straightforward, autobiographical story follows Dorgan through his early years at Valley Forge Military Academy and then onto his Navy career stationed aboard the aircraft carrier the USS Midway. While bending some rules (and breaking others), Dorgan goes into great detail about his day-to-day duties and the wild adventures he and his fellow sailors went on during their precious time off-duty.
Sea Pay is an interesting read. Dorgan’s attention to detail is quite remarkable. As an electrician working in the E Division of the ship’s engineering department, the author’s duties amounted to more than mere grunt work. His descriptions of the internal workings of the Midway really paint quite a picture. I could imagine working in the bowels of a steam-powered aircraft carrier and just how exciting (or miserable) that could be.
As he familiarizes himself with his duties and the rest of his crew, Dorgan does get up to some unsavory practices to increase his “sea pay.” I’m not sure how many boy scouts would approve of his other enterprises. While Sea Pay is a nice slice of enlisted life, it does run aground on the technical side of things.
Bob Dorgan’s writing style is extremely literal. Almost every detail is specifically told, but little is shown. There’s a kind of emotional detachment. For example, after an entire chapter describing “wild” liberty in Thailand, he rather nonchalantly ends the chapter with, “We were sorry to hear that several of our shipmates did not make it back to the ship alive, victims of the big H—heroin. They were gone but not forgotten.” It’s a jarring end, and there is little to no reflection by the author.
Sea Pay is a fascinating depiction of Navy life from that particular time told from the viewpoint of someone that was living it. This true story account will give readers an inside look at life on an aircraft carrier.
Pages: 356 | ASIN : B0B23CJ8S7
LITERARY TITAN 