Customer Reviews

Dear Mom

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The year Joseph Ward joined the marines, I turned 16. I knew the Vietnam War was going on, but hadn't met returning vets yet and didn't know any families who had a son or daughter over there. I watched television film footage of Vietnam occasionally, and saw the classic photo of the naked young Vietnamese girl who had been doused with Napalm running down a dirt road. By my senior year, I understood that the boy poking me in the back with a pencil in Trigonometry could be drafted-and killed.

Because my mom had volunteered as an art therapist at a veteran's hospital, I knew that some vets came back unable to cope with civilian life, but I didn't understand why. After reading this book, I think I understand why some vets came back with what is now called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Now 50 and mom to a married 27-year-old son, I decided to read Ward's book because I liked the idea of comparing a son's letters to his mom with what every mother dreads: the real story.

As a sniper sent to several different companies, the author had the opportunity to interact with many Marines as well as Vietnamese civilians, ROCs (Republic of Korea soldiers) and Kit Carson scouts (often former North Vietnamese soldiers). Ward observed acts of heroism that saved lives but didn't garner medals, like the new guy curled up in the fetal position clutching a can of much-needed gun ammo until he overcame his fear and made several trips, inching under heavy enemy fire, to pass ammo to the machine gunners.

The author's writing style is clear and crisp-as if the reader is looking through the sight of his sniper bolt rifle. And the book is rich in detail.

Ward gets his first survival lecture in boot camp: hair isn't edible but fingernails are and should be swallowed as they grow.
Two months in-country, Ward was present when a company of about 100 Americans, swarmed into a little village and killed every person-even the animals-sixteen women and children, chickens and water buffalo. What did Ward write to Mom about this incident? "We've had a lot of casualties from booby traps and made contact with the enemy five times."
Less than two weeks later, Ward and four other men had to take cover in a crater as a Cobra helicopter gunship, mistaking them for the enemy, strafed the area and missed them by inches. The helicopter was supposed to be protecting a medevac chopper requested for a wounded VC. When Ward came up to the VC prisoner, he himself nearly went over the edge.
Here's an example of the way a true story can touch a reader: from the description of Herald Parker Tyner II, a recruit in Ward's boot camp platoon, I realized he was Tex Tyner, president of my old square dance club! I had received many a bear hug from Tex, who sometimes jokingly called us heathens.
I recommend this book to mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, daughters, sons, brothers and sisters who want to know what happened to loved ones who served our country during the Vietnamese war and refuse to talk. In my opinion, it's on its way to becoming a five-star classic. It has the makings of a blockbuster movie.

While researching a Vietnam exhibit for my museum, I read everything I could on the subject to get both historical and personal perspectives. The author, Mr. Ward, gives readers a compelling glimpse of the Marine Corps from Boot Camp and advanced training to Scout Sniper School and his tour of duty in Vietnam, and virtually put the 5th Marine Regiment on the map. I have read a great many personal accounts of the war and this one I consider by far the best. The illustrations and photographs are helpful and interesting. The letters to his mother provide an exellent framework with which to tell the author's story. Mr. Ward's attention to detail and clear writing style draws the reader in, in a very personal way. At times I actually felt as though I was there. I highly recommend this book.

I have read this book several times and find something new each time to cause me wonder. It's so well written and concise. Anacronyms are explaind immediately so the reader is always kept up on what the writer is talking about. I felt as though I was serving along side Ward during his hair-raising tour. Good read for young and old, male and female.

This book was a wonderful insight into Vietnam from a Sniper's perspective. Ward gives an excellent account of his tour in Vietnam, and through boot camp, using letters to his mother. Great book, definately worth the read!

Few books have moved me as this one. I learned not only about the war, but human nature. I found the writing to be of extraordinary quality and the messages profound. Yes, it's about the Marine Corps and snipers in Vietnam, but it's also a fantastic novel about the human condition. A MUST READ!

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but once I started it I couldn't put it down. The writing is excellent and I had no trouble understanding the author. I learned much about this controversial period in our country's history. The letters to his mother were moving and sometimes vague in his attempt to shield her from the horrors of war. I would recommend it to men and women alike.

This book is a MUST for any one looking to delve deep into the Vietnam War without the glitter and nonsense. The author makes the reader see, feel, hear, smell and taste the war. Its easy to read format will appeal to the military history buff and novice, men and women alike. It is a unique book about a unique groop of men, the Marine Corps Scout Snipers. I laughed, I cried, I learned. If you are a Vietnam Veteran you will want extra copies for friends and relatives. Also recommend, In The Crosshairs, by Michael Lee Lanning and A Sniper In The Arizona, by John J. Culbertson.

I picked this book up at a yard sale because I have a special place in my heart for snipers. I love them everything about them. And when I got to page five of this book, I couldn't understand why anyone would want to give it away. This book cronicles sniper Joseph T. Ward's life from when he was a jobless teenager until he became a great Vietnam war hero. Ward's letters to his mom are placed perfectly in the book and it's sad because he tells his mom the fake story and the reader the real factual story that no parent of a soldier wants to hear. This isn't the best sniper book I've read, that is probably War of the Rats. The book doesn't go into great detail about the actual shooting, but the environment is described perfectly and I felt like I was watching Ward's life in Vietnam over his shoulder, or through his eyes. This is definetly a great book that can be finished in one or two days because it will have you glued to the pages. Five out of five stars.

First and foremost, I must say that this is a must read book for anyone who wishes to gain an insight of the war in Vietnam! As for me... a farm boy from Iowa, landing in DaNang, Vietnam on a hot September day was quite a shock. After being processed, I was assigned to the 5th Marines Headquarters Company Scout Snipers at An Hoa. I am proud to say that my first assigned partner was Joseph T. Ward. Being new in country, I had a lot to learn and Joe was a terrific teacher. We developed into a very close team. Joe on the rifle and I as the spotter, and I must say he saved my hide on more than one occasion! Unfortunately the team was broken on November 8, 1969 when we both were hit. Not all snipers had as high of a kill rate as Hathcock, MaWhinney, and Ward. I didn't,so I guess that lowers the averageas stated by crittics. I saw,felt, and endured the hell on earth that Joe described in his book. I am proud to call Joe Ward my partner and friend

This book really immerses you into the war. It is a great read. Not a lot of detail on his sniper missions but still great to read. The one negative review from a "ra doyle" is way off base. "ra doyle" also bashed the Hathcock book (another sniper in Vietnam). "ra doyle" says:
"Ward has four men killed on 22 May '69 including a company commander. The RVN Mem. Wall reveals that two Marines were killed that day. An enlisted Marine was killed by an explosive device and one of my former tank platoon commanders Roland Hamilton was killed ejecting from his OV -10 aircraft that was shot down."
The wall says that Roland Hamilton's casuality was July 22, NOT May 22. The wall lists 11 Marines killed on May 22, 1969. One was a Major (ROBERT WILLIAM ARNOLD).
"ra doyle" states "Once again "the Wall" reveals: 26th no Marine killed in Quang Nam province" How about KENNETH JAMES MCCLUSKEY?
His casuality date is Sep 26, 1969 in QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM.

"ra doyle" really doesn't like sniper/scouts apparently.

Great book.