Customer Reviews

American Warrior: A Combat Memoir of Vietnam

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a well written and detailed personal memoir of the author's two tours in Viet Nam. The format - personal recollections by identified persons - interspersed with the author's first person narrative draws the reader into the action. Doc is a true warrior and, based on his actions, one of the luckiest SOBs on the planet. I consider myself fortunate to be one of Doc's classmates.

There have been hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of books written on the Vietnam War; however, all of them fail to make the deep historic impact that "American Warrior" does. I think the biggest reason for this book rising so far above the rest is Brig. Gen. John C. "Doc" Bahnsen, Jr. who along with his writing partner Wess Roberts give us a astounding personal account of Doc's two tours of duty in Vietnam (1965-66 & 1968-69).

Now the non-military public will also learn about this most remarkable man who is truly one of this nation's greatest warriors. The book moves like a man on a mission "walking point"! The reader will have no trouble becoming absorbed in Doc's combat experiences. If this were a novel no one would believe it! The man is one of those rare leaders much like General Patton was for WWII. He is bigger than life but ever so human.

The book tells it like was and the General holds little back. This is a bold accounting of a time long gone by when men who were great heroes were forgotten and ignored by our nation. Now they can read about one of those who honors the rest of us Vietnam Veterans!

This book is given The Military Writer's Society of America it highest rating of FIVE STARS! The story is a must read! I personal recommend this book! It is a nominee for the MWSA Founder's Award for 2007! Truly one of the best books ever written about Vietnam War! They just do not come much better!

Doc Bahnsen is undoubtedly a hero in the history of the United States and of the Free World. He has all the credentials to document it. Yet there is another plane of magnificance in the manner and deportment of this retired officer and gentleman. I met him by chance and immediately sensed that I was honored to be in the presence of a great man.
I read his book and it confirmed my impression. Well written and organized in a clear and concise format,this work puts the reader in the fight with "Doc" and with those soldiers at his side whose comments and narration give the reader a 360 degree view of the action.In the the thick of the battle, in mid 60's Viet Nam,you're taking "point" with a man who placed himself in harm's way in front of his troops--he never asked anything he wouldn't do himself.His decorations are countless and his units had the highest proficiency ratings "in Country". This is the story of how he did it.A great read,a great account of one of the Army's awesome men,and a great lesson about things that matter in life.
To his credit ,General Bahnsen also shares his flaws and shortcomings. His willingness to expose himself to honest criticism is refreshing in today's cloying atmosphere of political correctness.Even these failings are shared and interpreted by those who were his partners in battle and R&R. How about stealing Col.George Patton Jr's two "holer" outhouse?
Buy the book,read the book,give it to your grown up and not so grown up children for a lesson in life!You won't be sorry.

Many accounts of the Vietnam War are written by those who studied the events from afar, some by those who provided eyewitness reports, and precious few by those who actually fought the fight. American Warrior is one of those books that takes you right to the fight as seen by one of America's most highly decorate, audacious, irreverent, and courageous warriors--Doc Bahnsen.

Now if you are a Vietnam vet and have the habit of keeping a good book by your bedside so that you can disengage from the day's events before trying to get some sleep--forget it. This book is not for you. As one of my old 4-star retired friends said to me recently, he had to quit reading it at night. It gave him nightmares. His dreams became filled with the vivid memories he had hidden so successfully in the deep recesses of his mind. It's that kind of book--real, precise, graphic. Quite frankly, I don't know how Doc did it. We fought the same war, at about the same time and often in the same area. Yet for the life of me, I can't recall the details of every fi ght, the chronological sequence of events, the nomenclature of every weapon system, and the names of all those involved with the clarity and completeness achieved in this book--a remarkable job.

I approached this book with a presumption that it would simply chronicle the many exploits of the famous, often infamous Doc Bahnsen. You know, one of those see-what-I-have-done kinds of books. Well, there is plenty of that throughout the 460 pages of text but it's done in a style that allows the reader to once again experience the action and appreciate with justifiable pride how Doc earned his Distinguished Service Cross, five Silver Stars, three Distinguished Flying Crosses and many other medals for valor. This is not just a one sided narrative. The authors assemble memories of many others engaged in the fight presenting their stories in a tightly woven tapestry of remembrances as complete and interesting as watching Monday Night Football through a dozen different lenses.

More than a collection of war stories, this book grants the reader a number of important observations bearing directly on today's military and on our present national security situation. Take for example the actions of the Aero Rifle Platoon (ARP) from the 11th
Armor Cavalry "Blackhorse" Regiment's Air Cavalry Troop in War Zone D along the Tan Uyen River in January 1969. Here is a clear example for today on how a few highly motivated, well equipped soldiers with inspired leadership and aggressive action can overwhelm a much larger force. Call it the "Gideon" effect if you like, but there is more to winning than mere numbers. Such is being demonstrated every day by our Special Operations Forces in remote locations of Afghanistan and elsewhere achieving much with only a brave few.

Then there are the stories of how Doc was always spring-loaded to the attack position, getting "pissed off" when someone shot at him or his soldiers and how he took prompt offensive action in response. He made it clear; the mission of a soldier is to find and kill the enemy. It's just that simple. When soldiers accept this principle, they win and the enemy looses. Rolling the pages of history forward, I am reminded of our early actions by JSOC and Ranger forces in Afghanistan and how their actions confirms that the spirit of attack lives on.

As an Army aviator with multiple tours in airborne infantry, I really appreciate Doc's skill in commanding ground and aviation combat forces; a perfect example for our modern day warriors. He was as comfortable on the ground maneuvering armored cavalry assault vehicles (ACAV) of the 11th Armed Cavalry's 1st Armored Squadron as he was in the air, killing NVA and Vietcong while flying a UH-1 "Huey" gunship--often doing both in the same fight. To that same end is the illustrated power of infantry forces that can break friction with the ground to achieve overwhelming and decisive
results through three dimensional maneuver land warfare. Time and again the enemy had the numeric and positional advantage, yet Doc won the fight by "piling on" once his ARP's made contact. We saw the same thing in Desert Storm and during the kinetic
SO/LIC NEWS phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom; high speed armored forces maneuvering in concert with attack and assault helicopter forces to quickly dismember the enemy. Doc proved the value of three dimensional maneuver land warfare more than 40-years ago, a concept that remains relevant still today.

To be sure, Doc is no saint. He makes no attempt at disguise his fl aws or cover up through omission the mistakes made along the way. This book is the complete unabridged revelation of a true warrior. I think Wess Roberts says it best in the concluding paragraph. "Mythical military heroes are often made out as larger-than-life figures who are fierce fighters, brave beyond compare, invincible in battle, loyal to their soldiers, faithful to their duty, defenders of their country, yet cursed with a weakness for beautiful women. Grounded in real deeds, it is no exaggeration to say Doc Bahnsen was all these things and more as an American warrior."

-- MG Rudolph Ostovich III (US Army Retired) served for 30-years on active duty beginning his military career as an airborne, ranger qualified infantry officer, then later as an Army aviator. He commanded units from rifle platoon to the U.S. Army Aviation Center as Chief of Army Aviation. Today, he continues his association with the military as a defense consultant.

Having the opportunity to fly crewchief with the General,in Viet Nam, this book was a must for me to read. While it stirred up some bad memories, I found this book to give me a much better understanding of the General and his thinking.At the time, I thought he was just one crazy SOB. Having flown in some of the missions described in the book, I have a much better understanding of why he did what he did, and my respect for him has grown enormously.I highly recommend this book to anyone who served with the 11th Armored Cavalry unit.
On a personal note,thank you General for giving me the honor to be one of your crewchiefs while you commanded the First Squadron.

Walter Gensemer
Viet Nam
March 1969-February 1971

I dove into Gen. Bahnsen's book headfirst; I could not put it down. I'm honored to have a personally autographed copy as Gen. Bahnsen and my Father served in the same battalion during "Doc's" 1st tour of Vietnam. This book puts the reader in the heat of battle from the first page to the last. Gen. Bahnsen gives the details; the good, the bad and the ugly. We all know The War in Vietnam was a very unpopular war; but the men and women that went to Vietnam have every right to be proud to have served. They served valiantly; as valiantly as any Soldiers to have worn the Uniform in our Nation's proud history. To all I say "Thanks and WELCOME HOME!"

Agree that it is one of the very best books written about the Vietnam War. Numerous killings, almost without count, and cold, unemotional narration with no attempts to be anything but a factual report. General Bahnsen told it exactly the way it was, whether you like it or not.

THIS IS A GREAT BOOK THAT BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES. DOC TELLS IT LIKE IT WAS AND WAS ONE OF THE BEST COMMANDERS I HAD THE PRIVLIGE SERVING UNDER.

Most war stories aren't as graphic but Doc Bahnsen holds nothing back. War is not a business for the untrained and it is well documented that Doc trained by example. Sissies need not apply. We could certainly use more no-nonsense men of this caliber in the 21st century. I have learned a lot from reading this excellent documentary and am proud to be able to say "I knew him when".....he was a cadet at West Point.
J. C. Foote, Boynton Beach, FL

Viet Nam first hand historical reference of the 118th Assault Helicopter Company Bandits and later the 11th ACR. I was a Bandit (34) a few years later. After 40 years I learned why we did what we did. The enemy even knew who we were and our aggressiveness. "Doc" Bahnsen really knew his stuff. He fine tuned helicopter assault tactics which seemed "dumb" but worked.