Diary of an Airborne Ranger: A LRRP's Year in the Combat Zone [Mass Market Paperback]

Frank Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 27, 2001

Perhaps the most accurate story of LRRPs at war
ever to appear in print!

When Frank Johnson arrived in Vietnam in 1969, he was nineteen, a young soldier untested in combat like thousands of others--but with two important differences: Johnson volunteered for the elite L Company Rangers of the 101st Airborne Division, a long range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP) unit, and he kept a secret diary, a practice forbidden by the military to protect the security of LRRP operations.

Now, more than three decades later, those hastily written pages offer a rare look at the daily operations of one of the most courageous units that waged war in Vietnam. Johnson served in I Corps, in northern Vietnam, where combat was furious and the events he recounts emerge, stark and compelling: walking point in the A Shau Valley, braving enemy fire to rescue a downed comrade, surviving days and nights of relentless tension that suddenly exploded in the blinding fury of an NVA attack.

Undimmed and unmuddied by the passing of years, Johnson's account is unique in the annals of Vietnam literature. Moreover, it is a timeless testimony to the sacrifice and heroism of the LRRPs who dared to risk it all.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Perhaps the most accurate story of LRRPs at war
ever to appear in print!

When Frank Johnson arrived in Vietnam in 1969, he was nineteen, a young soldier untested in combat like thousands of others--but with two important differences: Johnson volunteered for the elite L Company Rangers of the 101st Airborne Division, a long range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP) unit, and he kept a secret diary, a practice forbidden by the military to protect the security of LRRP operations.

Now, more than three decades later, those hastily written pages offer a rare look at the daily operations of one of the most courageous units that waged war in Vietnam. Johnson served in I Corps, in northern Vietnam, where combat was furious and the events he recounts emerge, stark and compelling: walking point in the A Shau Valley, braving enemy fire to rescue a downed comrade, surviving days and nights of relentless tension that suddenly exploded in the blinding fury of an NVA attack.

Undimmed and unmuddied by the passing of years, Johnson's account is unique in the annals of Vietnam literature. Moreover, it is a timeless testimony to the sacrifice and heroism of the LRRPs who dared to risk it all.

About the Author

Frank Johnson served in Vietnam as a member of L Company (Ranger), 101st Airborne Division. He received numerous combat awards, including the Silver Star and two Bronze Stars. Since leaving active duty he has served with 12th Special Forces Group (Abn.), U.S. Army Reserves; 4th Force Recon, USMC Reserves; 122d Armor Brigade; Nevada National Guard; 19th Special Forces Group (Abn.); and Utah National Guard. Currently he is serving with the Nevada Air Guard.

He and his wife, Kipp, live in Reno. They have a son, Joshua, and a daughter, Jahnee.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; Reissue edition (February 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804118809
• ISBN-13: 978-0804118804
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.8 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #226,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Military > Vietnam War
  • #98 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > World > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Diary of an Airborne Ranger: A LRRP's Year in the Combat Zone, August 21, 2006

By 

Frank H. Johnson (Reno, Nv) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diary of an Airborne Ranger: A LRRP's Year in the Combat Zone (Mass Market Paperback)

I have to admit that I'm prejudice because I wrote the book. I bought the copy for a friend. But let me take this time to clear up a matter I wrote about in my book. I wrote a about Herman Brown's team getting into a fire fight where SSG Salters, the TL, and Sgt Jones, the ATL, were killed. I said in my diary that I didn't think Herman should have gotten the DSC for his actions in the fight. Even though Heman was a friend of mine, and I really liked him alot, I didn't think he deserved the DSC. What I didn't get a chance to say in my book because it was published before I knew it, was what really happened during Herman's fire fight. So let me take the time now. I talked with our 1st Sgt, Gilbert, years later and Top asked me why I said what I did about Herman. I said because it was the way the fight was explained to me. But Top said that about three days after the contact, the Loach pilot that pulled the team out came by the company area and asked if anyone had gotten medals for the contact. Top said no. The Loach pilot than began to tell Top what he had observed. It was very socked in, meaning it was raining and the clouds were ground level. But the pilot was able to fly up a draw and reach the team. When the pilot got there the team was in a shooting match with the bad guys and Herman was standing up and firing in all directions. The pilot got as close to the ground as he could but was unable to touch down. Herman, firing his weapon the whole time, grabbed Salters body and one handed Salters to the gunner. Herman then grabbed Jones' body and again one handed the body to the gunner, the whole time firing in all directions at the bad guys with his free hand. The pilot flew off and dropped the bodies off at a safe place and returned. The pilot again observed Herman going around the small perimeter and firing in all directions like a one man army. The pilot again got as close to the ground as he could and said he could only take two out. The other two members of the team got onto the Loach and Herman stayed back by himself, still firing in all directions. The pilot said he really didn't expect to find Herman alive upon his return, but when he returned, there was Herman still holding off the bad guys. It seemed like to the pilot that Herman had been the only one firing at the bad guys and each of the times the pilot flew in, there was Herman, going around the small perimeter and doing all the firing like a one man army! There was no hesitation of Herman being the last guy out, but the other two rushed on board the Loach. So...that is the real story about Herman Brown. As far as I'm concerned Herman should have gotten the Medal of Honor, and I'm not just saying that because he was my friend. I slammed him in my diary and he was my friend, and I'm now saying he should have earned the CMH because of what he actually did. Top did not want Herman to go out to the field anymore after that fight and that is why. Top said that anyone who goes through a fight and fought like Herman did, he doesn't have to go out. But Herman did go out one more time and that was with me when we had a fobar mission in the Ashau Valley to blow up some bridges. Anyway, I wanted to set the record straight. I know this a little long and alot of years have passed, and I don't know who will actually read this, but I pray for only the best for Herman and that he gets the credit he deserved.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Through the Eyes of a 19 Year Old, June 8, 2001

By 

Burgess Wetta (Orcutt, Ca. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diary of an Airborne Ranger: A LRRP's Year in the Combat Zone (Mass Market Paperback)

It was my privilege to have known Frank Johnson while serving with him in Vietnam. There were many times we set across from each other on our bunks and thanked God we were still alive. Frank indeed was a warrior and a man of great courage but there was also another side that was warm kind and gentle. A man that would take the time to listen to your problems, to help you when you were down and to support you when you needed a friend. This book is an accurate accountant of places and events that took place as seen through the eyes of Frank Johnson.With great pleasure I recommend you read this book. It is a supreme insight into what it was like for a 19 your old to have been exposed to the horrors of war. Burgess Wetta

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diary of an Airborne Ranger, June 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Diary of an Airborne Ranger: A LRRP's Year in the Combat Zone (Mass Market Paperback)

This book really gives you the first hand account on what happen day by day to this soldier. What a great history lesson. It isn't soften down by someones memories of the Vietnam War but gives you the actual feelings that happen on that day. I find that when I am reading I get lost in the moment and feel like I am right in the jungle with this soldier. I was only 10 yrs old little girl when this was taking place. I looked up my birthday because I wanted to see what this guy was doing on that day when I was celebrating my birthday. Gave me a strange feeling. Thank you to ALL the war veterans who have fought for our freedom.