Customer Reviews

The 1st Cav in Vietnam: Anatomy of a Division

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Stanton, who has been under an increasing cloud of late, is no rookie when it comes to military history in general or the history of the Vietnam War in particular. He begins by laying out his purpose for writing this work in his preface. He makes it clear that this will not be the ordinary divisional history where the author merely discusses every combat action of the division in the Vietnam War. Rather, Stanton intends this book as, ". . . a critical analysis of the mechanism and composition of the airmobile cavalry division." (ix) In order to accomplish his established goals, he devotes 5 chapters of this 12 chapter book to the conceptual and divisional evolution (Chapters 1-2), a study of the divisional structure (Chapter 10), an evaluation of the division's performance in Vietnam (Chapter 11), and the division's restructuring as an armor division in the early 1970s (Chapter 12). Stanton does not neglect to provide an overview of the division's operations, as the middle chapters (Chapters 3-9) are structured as a chronological examination of the division's operations in Vietnam.

Stanton is a solid writer who manages to both hold the reader's attention and make his points clearly and succinctly. 1st Cav in Vietnam is also well illustrated with both photographs (many of which are from the author's own collection) and, perhaps more importantly, maps. In addition, the author includes two useful appendices at the end of the book. The first appendix includes a list of the units which were assigned and attached to the division during its time in Vietnam. The second appendix details the divisional structure during the formation of the division. The author also includes a short bibliography of both the primary and secondary sources (which are of both a published and an unpublished nature) which were used in the writing of the work.

This book captures many of the day-to-day decisions and events that lead to the creation of the 1st Cavalry as an Airmobile Division. During my 4 1/2 years in the Division I served, among other duties, as a unit historian and had the opportunity to meet many of the men in the book. The author does an excellent job of putting color to the black and white of printed pages in other books. If you or a loved one of yours served in the First Team, you will want to read and own this book. I have two copies in my home -- one for each of my children when they grow up.

Taken at face value this is quite possibly the definitive volume on the evolution Army Airmobile doctrine, tactics and operational employment throughout the Vietnam conflict. It is well written, concise, and a pleasure to read. The problem lies in the substantiated charges against the author for misrepresenting his military service. This fundamental lack of integrity calls into question the research and conclusions of all works by Mr. Stanton. If you trust his research it's a great book, if not it might as well be fiction.

There had always been a gap of knowledge as to what happened the day I was wounded in Vietnam, and where we where and what we where doing. I found the name of the Battle, the operation, the units that we fought next to, the NVA units we fought, how many enemy where killed, how many 1st Cav infantrymen where wounded and killed, and much more. The book is like a bright light, in the darkness of my memory. I even found the description of the battle and my M113A1 APC was described and revealed what had hit us (B40 RPG rocket). I even found out that there was a Medal of Honor Winner in that battle, that day. The book is great.. and one of the best reads I have ever experienced. It inspired me to research more to find the "After Action Reports" from the Company, Brigade and Division level now residing at the National Archives in Washington, DC. If you served in 1st Cav. during the Vietnam War... you need to read this book.

No writer can cover every detail about a war or the participating fighting units. However, I would say that this author definitely done his homework and accurately

describes all aspects of the development of the Air Assault concept , and each combat operation that the First Cavalry Division was involved with.

As a member of the 1/7th Battalion, First Cavalry Division from April 1966 - April 1967, I was very pleased with the breakdown of the various operations and unit deployments. When looking back on ones' time in Vietnam, it is very hard to remember dates, Operations, Places, names, etc.. This book is very detailed in the dates and purpose of each operation.

As I had members of my OCS Class 4-65 killed in the IaDrang fight, and later served with survivors, I was very pleased with the details in this book.

Recommend highly.

Shebly Stanton has established himself as one of the best historical writers on VietNam. He has an easy to read but very informative style that pulls you in. This allows you to "see" the action with him.

This is one of the best books on the 1st Cav in Nam. They established themselves as the "best division" of the war. This books gives you the reasons for that claim. This is an excellent book and a must for anyone wishing to read about the VietNam War.

very interesting book on the movements of the 1st air cavalry division in vietnam - includes an account of the battle of the ia drang valley which the movie We Were Soldiers Once and Young was based

I have a whole new respect for the First Cav and admire anybody who served in Vietnam in combat operations with them. Stanton clearly has done his homework. This one goes on my bookshelf as a keeper. I hope his other books are this good.