Customer Reviews

Twenty Days in May, Vietnam 1968

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Quick and very informative read. Lt Mansfield was my platoon leader in 67/68. I knew alot of the quoated people, and still know some. Im purchaseing a second copy for a fellow gunner who has no internet access.
This book tells it like it was. (Dave Carter)

Very interesting, this is my father. He does not talk allot about Vietnam so this provides detail of part of his life I do not know much about. Thanks Dad.

If you would like to know what life was like for an infantry man in Vietnam, this book will tell it all. It will tell you the good parts, the bad parts and the real bad parts. This was 40 years ago, but today I remember most of it and am a proud member of this platoon. You will not find a better group of guys then or today!
John (Buzz) Bezuyen

Outstanding story of a young infantry LT in 1968 Viet Nam. The title gives away the fact that the book focuses on 20 specific days and while that is correct the book also gives a broader insight into the author as a person by integrating stories from other points in time (e.g. OCS). It is a very quick and easy read. The author includes some documents (radio logs, SITREPs, etc)from the actual fire fights in the book that clearly demonstrate that this is not a work of fiction or a glorified war story. It is an accurate and true depiction of 20 days of combat against NVA regular forces and a number of specific actions and events that occurred in May of 1968 from the perspective of a young infantry LT who led those actions. It is compelling reading. It's almost like reading someones personal diary with their most personal thoughts about the events that occurred.

Some thoughts from the book:
- At 19 or 20 we all think we are indestructable (aka the "Superman Complex"). LT Mansfield admits to this.
- Those who came home safely have some degree of guilt that they carry with them today (survivors guilt).
- Leadership is best done from up front (in the action with his troops) rather than the rear (where it's safe but not particularly effective).
- LT Mansfield shares a story in which his platoon executed their orders even though they had serious doubts. It's a compelling story and a lesson in leadership, at least from the view of a young LT who was at the point of contact.
- Our troops in Viet Nam were highly skilled and professional soldiers at this time largely due to excellent leadership at the platoon level. They were a very effective fighting force.

While the topic of the book is serious, the author also uses humor. Once such incident describes the accidental discharge of a weapon (no one was harmed) and the resulting lessons learned by a young LT. Another incident was the sight of two young LTs standing up and taunting the NVA during a fire fight (they were perhaps exhausted and not thinking clearly?).

It's an outstanding book that should appeal to veterans, historians (both military and civilian), and just about anyone who wants to read a damn good book!

This account of an operation the author was in in Vietnam I found an excitng and poignant book, and I am glad I found it. It made Vietnam more immediate for me than many other books I have read on that war. I felt like I was ducking enemy fire as he related the events on the ground in Vietnam during the 20 days he tells of.