Vietnam Medal of Honor Heroes [Paperback]

Edward Murphy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 12, 1987

More than 100 compelling, true stories of personal heroism and valor– in a special expanded edition honoring courage in the face of war

Here are dramatic accounts of the fearless actions that earned American soldiers in Vietnam our highest military distinction–the Medal of Honor. Edward F. Murphy, head of the Medal of Honor Historical Society, re-creates the heroic acts of individual soldiers from official documents, Medal of Honor citations, contemporary accounts, and, where possible, interviews with survivors.

Complete with a list of all Vietnam Medal of Honor recipients, this book offers a unique perspective on the war–from the early days of U.S. involvement through the return home of the last soldiers. It pays a fitting tribute to these patriotic, selfless souls.


From the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The founder of the Medal of Honor Historical Society, Vietnam veteran Murphy offers biographies of 125 of the 238 Medal winners who served during the Vietnam era. Based on "terse and often dry" official citations as well as other government documents, media reporting and interviews with the survivors, their families and their fellow soldiers, Murphy's accounts of the heroics that led to their being honored are vivid and gut-wrenching. Many recipients, like Cpl. William T. Perkins (the only combat photographer to earn the Medal), threw themselves on enemy grenades to save others. When Second Lt. John P. Bobo's right leg was blown off by a mortar explosion, he wrapped his belt around the damaged limb and stayed on the firing line, covering the withdrawal of his command group until he was cut down. The tales are arranged chronologically, intercut with a summary of major events in the war. Vietnam literature has produced better writing, yet this book generates an effect similar to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington: the reader cannot remain unmoved.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Vivid and gut-wrenching . . . The reader cannot remain unmoved.”
–Publishers Weekly



From the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1st edition (July 12, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345338901
• ISBN-13: 978-0345338907
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,300,143 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A generic account - not as good as his later efforts., March 20, 2001

By 

Chuck (Charlotte, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vietnam Medal of Honor Heroes (Paperback)

Having read all three of Edward F. Murphy's Medal of Honor books, this one did the least for me. It seems to be rushed and not as detailed or in-depth as his other MoH books. Of the three MoH books he has written, the one on the Korean War MoH winners is the most detailed and in-depth. The one on WW2 MoH winners is fast-paced, but is a very good read. This Vietnam MoH effort is the first one of the series of three that Murphy did, and it gives me the impression that he was in a hurry to write and finish this one. It could also possibly be that he was low on information or new at how to lay the stories out. He released this Vietnam one in '87, the WW2 one in '92, and the Korean one in '97, so it is safe to say that he has improved with each as time went on. Still, this book is not to be totally discounted, as it offers some info and twists that weren't included in the original MoH citations of each recipient, obviously. It was an enjoyable, quick read and goes in my library to take its place among the other MoH books and is good for a quick reference. It was worth the money, most definitely. Of particular use is the listing in the back of every recipient, place of action, date, posthumous award or not, and their unit. A good book, but I gave it 3 stars for the complete lack of pictures of the recipients and the hurried writing style.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Historical Book!, September 8, 2005

By 

Duane A. Burt "Alex Burt" (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vietnam Medal of Honor Heroes (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is a must read for all Americans. It describes in detail what these men did for our country. Some stories are more detailed than others due to lack of available information. None the less all are awsome stories of the character and sacrifices of the American fighting man in Vietnam. This is a very needed and well written book, that hopefully will help us all never forget the sacrifices that have been made for freedom. The book not only covers the tremendous acts of self sacrifice and bravery, but the struggle that some heroes had after returning to civilian life. After reading "Vietnam Medal of Honor Heroes" I have an even greater since of respect and awe for the men that fought in a war that they were not allowed to win.

3.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't find my hero, January 16, 2012

By 

Mary Keating (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vietnam Medal of Honor Heroes (Mass Market Paperback)

I ordered this book for my son-in-law whose uncle is a Medal of Honor winner. I was disappointed to find that his uncle is not included. I should have checked the publishing date, but I didn't. The book is fine, but order with care if you are seeking a particular person.