Customer Reviews

Operation Buffalo: Usmc Fight for the Dmz

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Operation Buffalo should be made into a Movie as it the best written book I have ever read about what the Marines and Corpsmen of Northern I Corps endured in Viet Nam. Time and again the men of the First Battalion Ninth Marines found themselves fighting against numerically superiour forces with very little support available at critical moments. Mention is made in the book that the First Battalion Ninth Marines was marked by the North Vietnames Army for destruction. I can't say for sure that this was true, but "The Walking Dead" nick-name was was paid for in blood. Keith N. Price Former HM3 Disability Retired Bravo Company, First Battalion Ninth Marines

In the summer of 1967 the USMC found itself engaged in a battle that caught them by suprise and cost them over 180 soldiers KIA and many more WIA. Vietnam was a war where many restriction were placed on American fighting forces, those restrictions were even stricter in the strange terrain of the DMZ. Like other books by Mr. Nolan (Into Laos and Into Cambodia come to mind) there is rich detail and information woven into a story by a chronological telling of event leading up to and through the battle. While there is a very good and informative sitrep of American (particularly USMC) involvement in Vietnam the strength of this book is it's "put you in the foxhole" eyes view of the fight. I had never read an account of where almost an entire American Company was overrun by large NVA forces, it is not pretty. I have read that ear collecting was something that happened in the war to dead enemy soldiers, the NVA put their own sick twist on this sort of war atrocity by collecting USMC tattoos from fallen grunts. There are graphic descriptions of the early M-16 problems which ended up causing the USA and USMC many casualties. This book contains some things that really suprised me, NVA soldiers equiped with flame-throwers looking for suvivors of the initial ambush, NVA artillery support which was accurate and protected from US airpower hitting American forces with a sustained barrage, NVA use of USMC gear such as flak vests and radios, American tanks being blown away like toys. There are many sad twists, if you are looking for a John Wayne type combat read stick to a novel, this one hurts the heart. I can't say enough about this book, if you are a student of the fighting in Southeast Asia get this book, Mr. Nolan really puts things together in this clear and painfully vivid book.

my cousin was killed on this operation so i approached this book with some difficulty,however the author has handled that sorry day an operation without any sensationalism,just treated it with the respect the fallen deserved,this book flows well and covers everything remarkably well .i believe that this book is one of the best (first/second)persons accounts of any battle in any war ever,a must buy book

As a member of 1/9, this through the eyes look at real combat in the DMZ, allows those who didn't participate the chance to feel the fear, pain and courage of these fine young men. Should be required reading for every person who is contemplating becoming the few, the proud, the Marines.

Keith Nolan's account of those hot, early days of July 1967 up at the DMZ captures the personalities and the fighting spirit of Marines locked in battle with the North Vietnamese Army. From the initial ambush that wiped out a Marine company to the final withdrawal of NVA forces across the Ben Hai River, Nolan's account of events is detailed and accurate. For those of us who were there, he provides a journey back. For those who weren't, he offers a glimpse of something rare and frightening - a contest of wills and of arms between two of the most highly regarded fighting forces ever to take the field, the North Vietnamese Army and the United States Marine Corps. A thrilling story told by a terrific historian.

This is a must have book for your library. After over 30 years you forget why you hated Vietnam until you read a book that brings back all the memories. This is such a book. I served with 1/1 and 3/1 after these battles and am amazed that keith Nolan is able to bring to life what it meant to serve in a Marine Corps Infantry Bn in Vietnam. I got angry, I laughed and I cried as I read this book. At times I felt like I could reach out and touch some of the people, the writing was so vivid. Everyone should read this book and remember what the Marines paid in blood for that war. THANK YOU USMC for what you gave me and THANK YOU Marines all over the world protecting us now.

Nolans Operation Buffalo was a very good book, no doubt about that in my mind. But he could have done more research on events leading up to it.

Prior to Operation Buffalo, there was Operation Hastings and Prairie. I was there! It is very hard for people to appreciate the unique terrain, weather, animals and other issues along the DMZ before the build up in that area. Our Maps were from a travel agency, so incomming could be from anyone and mostly was at the time.

He refers to BLT 1/3's Charlie Company as Chickenshit Charlie on Operation Prairie. If he got that information from Wickwire, I am ashamed and outraged that a U.S. Marine Corps Officer would make that statement. I would like someone to go into the area before the defoliant Agent Orange and the tons and tons of bombs that leveled the terrain and say that again.

Definately worth buying and reading, even worth sending copies to all your friends, but I would like to set the record straight anyway.

As a participant in Operation Buffalo (C.O.K/3/9) I was absolutely stunned by the accuracy, detail and vivid account of this unneccesary battle. Keith Nolan has an absolute gift for weaving all the participants into the fabric of this story. I personally discovered so much more about my friends and 'kids' who shared those moments in our own personal hell. A must read for all interested in what war is truly about - both warriors and pacifists.

First heard about the prime day of the book from a fellow MARINE who had been there and described it as similar to a firefight we had both been in, except there was no rear. I knew many men who died during the operation, and know many who survived. To a one they say it is accurate, and are proud to have their story told. My first thought was that NOLAN had been there. Oddly enough there is a quote on the liner notes from an upcoming 3 star Gen Libutti. He doubts the statement from McNamara" that all is quiet on the DMZ" Operation Buffalo is a book that men pass from one friend to another.

I just finished the book, and now I'm re-reading it. Nolan does his usual outstanding job describing Operation Buffalo. However, I was again saddened by the terrible casualties the Marines suffered fighting a restricted war of interdiction and attrition. Once again was driven home to me the point that brave men were dying fighting a war that was unwinable given how the politicians mandated it be fought. To me that's the real tragedy of Vietnam. Men put in harm's way should be better served.