Personal Stories And Insights About The Viet Nam War: Back From Hell: Vietnam Combat War Stories

This story follows the experiences of the author, a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division in Viet Nam in 1968, the bloodiest year of the war. He was assigned to the 1/502nd, known as "First Strike." First Strike was the modern-day equivalent of the Cavalry. He participated in seventy-six helicopter insertions, fifty-four of which were into hot LZs. In 1968 First Strike sustained 97 percent casualties and fatalities. His combat experiences ran from the Tet Offensive to the A Shau Valley. The 'Valley' was defended vehemently by the communists; as a result it was the site of many fierce battles. Being a combat veteran of the Valley became a mark of distinction for troops on either side. There were twenty-six times, that he is aware of, that he should have been killed or at least severely wounded, and one time when he actually did die. He was resuscitated, however, not before his spirit and soul left his body and he was able to watch, and later recount, the efforts to revive him.