Customer Reviews

Pop a Yellow Smoke and Other Memories: A Marine's Poignant and Humorous Stories of Time in VietNam

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been waiting eagerly for this book to be published when I first heard Chuck Truitt was writing about his experiences in Vietnam. And Pop a Yello Smoke is even better than I could have imagined! The 185 pictures are perfectly placed throughout the book and help tell the story of 1st Radio Battalion from 1969 to 1970 in Vietnam. This is not the typical Vietnam war story that so many people are used to. And it's uniquely written that you can start reading at any chapter. But one thing is for sure, once you start reading this book you won't want to put it down.

Chuck writes from a personal account of the war which never got into the newspapers. It describes in detail one soldier's journey through the day-to-day routine of being in a combat zone. His description of military jargon was very helpful and his personal account of his faith in Jesus Christ is evident throughout the book. The poignant part was the list in the very front of fallen comrades. He wrote it as a memoir for his children and grandchildren; I wish my own dad would have left something like this for future generations. A very good, easy, quick read.

This book is not only a thrilling read in places, but you can take it in bits and pieces just for the fun of some of the stories. This is not a blood and guts tome that leaves you scared and depressed...it is one soldier's account of a hard personal journey, told with honesty, candor, and humor. We are glad to call Chuck Truitt our friend, and highly recommend his book to you.

An outstanding portrayal of everyday life in the "trenches" of
South Vietnam. Looking at the Vietnam experience through a humorous approach was a real treat for me. Most of us who served
there can relate to the rats, the rations and the seemingly
non-sensical orders that came down from the "powers that be" back
in the rear areas. A realistic look at the war without focussing
on the perils of combat. Having served in the same unit before
and after that of the author, I can attest to the fact that nothing much changed over time. A great uplifting read, check it out.....

We are an Air Force family...no where near the Marines!~ I have read this book, and have enjoyed it. It was a refreshing look at one of America's hard times. The point of the book (to let people know our soliders weren't murderers and butchers, etc.) is clearly marked, with a serious humor that only Chuck can leave with you. You may laugh...but if you allow it, you will learn something. Buy this book...you will be glad you did.

Chuck Truitt has provided a window into the time of Vietnam- There are 3,.. no 4 themes intertwined throughout the captivating book. There is a realistic flavor of what it was like for a marine. There is historical basis, and repercusions of Vietnam, some good and some not, as well as the little things that often escape historical records. There is the realtionship of a man with his Savior, and how both are concerned for the welfare of the souls of others. Then there is the forgotten but crucial role of the 1st Rad Bn: The technology of the day was limited, putting them in the midst of the combat. What a great and memorable read. What a tribute to his fellow marines. Highly reccomend!

Chuck Truitt's account of his year tour with 1st Radio Bn in Vietnam was both humorous and heartwarming. From being attacked by rats to being attacked by VC, er....also rats, Chuck's story is one that should and finally is told by one of our nation's most valuable asset.... a United States Marine. Pop A Yellow Smoke is a good read for both the veteran and civilian alike. Thank you Chuck for your service to our country and service as a missionary to all our servicemen.
Semper Fi,
Ken Keverline, LtCol USMC (Retired)

I couldn't put the book down! Thanks for giving me a different aspect of Vietnam. The comraderie, and loyalty to your unit along with the bantering escapades you had with the other branches of service had me eager to get on to the next chapter.

The section on the terminology used by the military and accompanying pictures helped me understand alot of what I was reading as well as what members of my family experienced while they were there.

My brother-in-law's UH1 'Slick' (I always thought it was a Huey)crashed near Vinh Long on July 22, 1969. Now I understand what it was like for him in Vietnam. He told us before he left, "We have to stop Communism somewhere, It might as well be there!" His death made the Hollywood version a bitter pill to swallow.

This book is worth reading just for the humor, but a must read for the perspective this dedicated Marine(who is also a Christian)gives of the war in Vietnam. Wait until you read why he calls it "Pop a Yellow Smoke!" Two thumbs up!

The author and I were in Vietnam during approximately the same time period though in very different roles and locations. The book conveys a sense of immediacy and presence that evokes many memories of that unique conflict, and the story is told with genuine irony and humor unusual in books about Vietnam. The reader will find the book rewarding whether they are veterans of that war or not.

Charles Truitt is a gifted writer whose stories are a pleasure to read. Pop A Yellow Smoke is a refreshingly different outlook on life as a Marine during the Vietnam War. Never has a history lesson been so amusing. A pleasant combination of facts, explanations and real life experiences givers the reader a glimpse of the every day lives our men lived. A soldier of the cross, Charles Truitt is still a true Marine at heart and I would highly recommend this book to anybody!