C.M.A.C.: The Saga of a Saigon Warrior [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

~ James Finnegan (Author)
Key Phrases: radio room, radio officer, embassy security, Lieutenant Hallaghan, Major Dingby, Signal Office (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Radios, Rockets and Radar greatly influenced the life of Lieutenant James. A. Callaghan during his U.S. Government sponsored stay in Viet Nam. The "Conflict", prior to his arrival in country, had spawned what was known to the world as the "Tet Offensive", an extensive and well coordinated action launched by the Viet Cong on the Republic of Viet Nam. During the mayhem caused by the advance of the 13 regular regiments from the north it became obvious that there was a need for a coordinating command to insure the protection of Saigon. This was the birth of the Capital Military Assistance Command, C.M.A.C.. It was hastily setup in an old French Foreign Legion compound and was soon home for the new Radio Officer, Lieutenant James Callaghan. C.M.A.C. highlights his adventures.

From the Publisher

Radios, Rockets and the Ridiculous—the Viet Nam "Conflict" was never reported like this.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: IUniverse; illustrated edition edition (July 3, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595178863
• ISBN-13: 978-0595178865
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,560,421 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars CMAC: deja vous, June 26, 2007

By	Tiburon Tom - See all my reviews

Since I served in CMAC in 1969-70, I found Mr. Finnegan's book to be especially informative and amuzing. Eerily, some of my experiences mirrored those of his protagonist. Mr. Finnegan has an excellent eye for detail and a wonderfully wry sense of humor,which he puts to good use telling the story of a "Saigon Warrior's" trevails in Viet Nam. I believe both veterans and non-veterans would enjoy this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Saign Warrior Puts You There Emotionally, March 25, 2003

By	W. H. McDonald Jr. "The American Author Assoc... (Elk Grove, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Author James Finnegan has followed his other great book " The Sage of a Student Warrior" with a continuation of his warrior's -James Callaghan - adventures. This time, we are taken to Vietnam where the young Lieutenant finds himself in the heart of South Vietnam - Saigon; and deep in war.

The story is only fiction - but you become involved with the story, just as if it were happening to yourself. Well told tale - and well worth reading.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars CMAC---A Saigon Warrior, March 9, 2003

By	William H. Riley Jr. "Bill Riley" (El Paso, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just finished Jim Finnegan's book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I recognized Gen Jack Girard as the real-life General in it, and was sorry to see Hallaghan/Callaghan die in the end. I think the exploits were thoroughly believable, and even remembered a few of them in reality from my time in CMAC. I used to flake out for a nap behind the radio room after Col Lew Ashley, Chief of Staff, (and Col P.B. Watson before him) had worked my butt for 3 days/nites straight without sleep on getting the weekend briefing ready for COMUSMACV. The bridge inspections were a flashback for me, too, as were the bunker and SKIF inspections. The money in the safe was also used for solatium payments...and I remember once when I was tabbed for this duty, I visited a cardboard hut in the rice paddies near 199th LIB to pay off a family that had had their house burned by a chopper dropping a smoke grenade on it. The interpretor told me the family had lost their china set, the presents to the bride, and cash envelopes that were gifts to the bride....all this for a family of 7 that lived in a cardboard shack. I gave them the equivalent of $50, and they almost broke my arm by shaking my hand in thanks. Anyway, a good book that took me back to that crazy time.