Customer Reviews

Ambush Valley: I Corps, Vietnam, 1967 -- The Story of a Marine Infantry Battalion's Battle for Survival

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This book is very well written and very factual. It tells the story of those few days in the life of 3rd BN 26th Marines just as it happened. For most people that have never experienced combat this will open their eyes. If you had a relative or friend that served in Viet Nam and for sure if they served in the U. S. Marines you should read this account of 3/26. I served in 3/26 from August of 1966 to October of 1967 and was there at Ambush Valley. I was the 81mm mortar forward observer attached to Kilo Company during this time. I sincerly appreciate the work of Eric Hammel in telling our story.

Having spent some time with 1st Force Recon near 881S & 881N & Khe Sanh just prior to tet, I will have to say that what I experienced vs. what 3/26 encountered during those for intense days did not compare. The format of the book and the research the author conducted was insurmountable. This book was riveting to me and those that enjoy REAL LIFE encounters. I picked up the book and read it until I finished it in one eight hour period. I picked the book up in east Tennessee at a used book store for (price)I thought I overpaid, but after reading it I can see why it would sell for (price)instead. The author captured direct quotes from the officers and enlisted alike which made it sound like I was right in the middle of the cluster (....)It was an outstanding compilation of the events that occur in a combatzone. If the VA and other parties read this book they would realize themselves how difficult it would be to maintain their sanity in times that were discussed. THIS IS A MUST BUY BOOK. BUY THE BOOK!

My father Bill Wildprett, also was at Ambush Valley. As the first-born son of a Marine warrior, it was my privledge and duty to learn first-hand from him of those events from September 7-10, 1967. Reading this excellent book made it much easier for me to visualize the scope of the carnage and the heroics of 3/26. I've poured over his maps with him, which still smell like jungle rot and red clay, and seen both the pride and pain in his heart as he describes that time.

Please buy this book, and celebrate these extraordinary Marines.

Semper Fi 3/26!

I came across this book as a result of trying to find out the details of how a platoon mate from TBS was killed in RVN. I was told that the action and details were described in Ambush Valley. On the morning of 9/7/67 2/Lt Charles Ryberg was in position with the India company commander as his FO. In the initial barrage from the NVA both were hit. Lt Ryberg died of his wounds. The action is described in the book but Lt Ryberg's name is not listed. In discussions with Mr. Hamel he is certain that Lt Ryberg and the fatally wounded FO are one and the same. Lt Ryberg was a Harvard grad (graduating in 3 years) and had been "in country" less than a month. As for the rest of the narrative...compelling is the least I could say about it. I'm glad that my tour of duty was with the 1st Division and not the 3rd!

This a book about the Viet Nam war at the DMZ in 1967.
This is mostly about the Marines and the danger that they
faced daily. I bought this book because I was in the Army
and stationed in the area at the time that this book is about.
There were Army units attached to the 3rd Marines at the DMZ.
All though not much is said about these units, it is still
interesting reading for me. I saw this first hand dailey,
and live it.

Praise and admiration for those who served and remember RP Armstrong. I am proud to have known him and to have been a part of his extended family. The story portrayed in the book are both revealing and true to the Corp.