Baptism: A Vietnam Memoir

All who went to Vietnam to fight that ugly war, with very few exceptions, deserve accolades and not the harsh criticism and treatment they got upon returning to their homes. Those that did not return are to me the reason why the USA remains a powerful unwavering force in this modern world, because soldiers like them gave there all for their country in a conflict where politics and military agendas were constantly in conflict. When I see a veteran proudly wearing a hat, or a shirt, or whatever proclaiming their participation in that unwanted conflict, I bow to the memories of all the wars dating back to World War I, World War 2 (specially daunting for those who took on the Japanese side of the war), knowing how many gave their lives while their families agonized every single day hoping for their safe return, which of course many never made it out of the foreign soils in which they had to fight.This book, following in the fine tradition of the US Military Forces, is a fine example of the day to day struggles to remain in one piece, for the foot soldiers are the ones that carry the hard task of venturing forward while the high command strategize and mobilize them by the thousands. There is humor (as much as humor can be found in a live or die daily situations in which they had to exist), there is camaraderie of a higher dimension of the short friendships that ignited in the heat of battle and the tragic way in which a lot of those friendships ended. The writer has its own way of telling his story of that violent place that was Vietnam, and for readers who prefer non fiction, well, it doesn't get any more non fiction that this, where bravery of the american soldier surpassed all expectation many times over. Without disregarding the opposite side tenacious ways, my one sided review applies to this side of the war. Some volunteered, most were drafted and had no choice to go out there and fight, officers and enlisted men alike fought like one and in the process made clear to the world the american soldier is a deadly force to be reckoned with when provoked into battle.I like the book, and like all books about this subject, it has one common denominator and that is that the american flag has never been disgraced, either in wanted or unwanted wars. What a tragic war Vietnam was! I will always have a special part in my heart for one and all veterans in this country, and when sometimes I go to the Marine Base in Camp Pendleton and watch those fine men supporting that base and carrying on with their daily assignments, I say thanks a lot. Because regardless of how many were against this or any other war in which the american soldiers have taken part, one fact remains painfully clear: Without their participation, without their strength to support this country when the shit hits the fan, US would not be half the country it is now.When I hear the song played each time a soldier dies (Taps, Butterfield's Lullaby, and Days is Done, all one and the same) I know how grateful and proud I am to have known the best of people I have ever met, that most of them happened to be soldiers is no small coincidence.4 Stars for the book, not enough stars to assign for the US soldier.

I was torn between giving this book 4 stars or 5. I initially thought that the author spent too much time talking about himself. Then I realized that this type of book is supposed to be about what the author experienced during his tour. With that thought in mind, it was an easy decision for the 5 stars.This is the first book I have read that made me understand what the frustrations of the officers who commanded us were facing. I also had my first epiphany that the men who commanded us had the same hopes and fears that we Grunts had. Particularly the fear. It had never occurred to me that the officers leading us had the same trouble controlling their bowels and bladder that we Grunts had. I suppose that is a tribute to the professionalism, leadership skills and the raw courage of those men. I held all of our company leadership in what I thought was the highest esteem possible. I was wrong. After reading Captain Gwin's book, my respect for the men who commanded us has soared to new heights. I also came to the realization of just how lucky I had been to be lucky enough to have not had any commanders who were as incompetent as some of those that Capt. Gwin endured. All of the officers and NCO's I had were of the mold of the best of those that Capt. Gwin describes in this book.Capt. Gwin has written a keeper of a book. I highly recommend it. If you decide to buy it, I know that you will not be disappointed. It definitely deserves 5 stars.

I'm not sure just where to start. Gwin has done a masterful job in telling it like it really was. I could go on and on but basically, you just need to read it yourself. If ever anyone perfectly described the countryside, the people of Vietnam, the emotions of a soldier, Gwin has nailed it. What impressed me the most was his absolute honesty about the fear involved with combat. He's not afraid to admit it and that really impressed me. It brought back so many memories, both good and bad. I roared with laughter when he describe some of the bizarre incidents one encounters in a combat zone. I was touched when he described the close bond men make when they share life and death moments. His description of the aftermath of LZ Albany is stunning. I so very much remember (who can ever forget) the stench of death, and the look in the eyes of the survivors. It was 49 years ago and I can see it, and smell it, as if it was yesterday. I was there, not as an infantryman, as Gwin was, but as a helicopter pilot. So, while I certainly did not experience what he did, I did see the results on an almost daily basis and I can honestly say, he is spot on. This is a must read for anyone who wants to know what it was really like. Good job Larry Gwin.

This is good book, easy to read. Some parts are extremely exciting, while others are interesting to read. A little wordy in some places, but not boring.

My husband, noted above, was a survivor of LZ Xray and LZ Albany. He served with the A/2/7, but he talked very little about what happened. He told me when he flew out of Saigon to come home, he looked down and said, "Goodbye hell.". This book means a lot to me because it has told me about the hell he, and all our soldiers, went through in Viet Nam. I remember, Capt. Gwin, that you called Joe a couple of times to talk to him about your book. In going through Joe's things I found some correspondence from you. Joe ( Sgt. E-5 Eugene Sutton) passed away 03/31/2018. In case you don't remember, he was with the mortars. I recall him talking about Hibbitts, Esbach, Hibbard, Maurunch and others. Thank you for writing this book so we all know what heroes you are. God bless you.

This book is really good. Having read over 15 Viet Nam books, this is up there with the best such as Chicken Hawk and some of the LRRP and SOG books.Written from an officers perspective, you get a slightly different slant to the typical grunts experience. Gwin is still at the sharp end and gives a really good (and quite shocking) account as the XO of the 2nd Battalion/7th Cavalry in 1965/66.This is a little piece of untold history as the book effectively follows on from the well know `We Were Soldiers` story and most will have seen the Mel Gibson film when the 1st Battalion of the 7th suffered over 40% casualties at la Drang. The 2/7 came to the `rescue` of the 1/7 and once the 1/7 had flown out (effectively when the film ends) the 2/7 had to walk to an alternate LZ "Albany". They were ambushed and suffered 70% casualties. Nearly lost 2 whole platoons. Putting that into context, that is 400 men in total - 70% is 280 men killed or wounded. It was carnage.After Albany - Gwin experiences other battles and suffers the usual change of senior officers and sees some very good and some not so good. As usual he has nothing but praise for the gutsy soldiers and hard working NCO's.Due to the connection with WWS you sort of feel that the scene has been set and are almost familiar with the environment that the soldiers fought in. Gwin is honest in his appraisal of himself and paints a very clear and sad story of what was a war that would only ever have one outcome. Gwin clearly recounts various radio communications and you really feel you are there. You also feel the sadness and almost hopelessness of the whole situation.I really enjoyed it and it was one of the few books where I read the same page several times just trying to understand the shear magnitude of some of the tragic events.There is no political rhetoric in this book - it's open, honest and a real eye opener.

The author brings home to the reader some of the reality of what it was like to serve in a combat zone. Gwin is honest about his feelings and that candour only adds to the narrative. It is an account of one man's war without over playing his contribution, if anything he is incredibly modest. I have read many books about the Vietnam war and this book ranks alongside Colonel Hal Moore's "We were soldiers" as one of my personal favourites.

If you've read "We were soldiers once... and young" by Harold Moore and Joseph Galloway, Larry Gwin's book tells about the events in the Ia Drang Valley immediately following Moore and Galloway's account.If you haven't, then be prepared for an excellent although painful account of bloody battles in Vietnam in 1965. I've read a lot of Vietnam memoirs and this is a special one, as is the Moore/Galloway. I also recommend "Platoon Leader" by James McDonough.

This is one of the very best front line memoirs that I have read about the Vietnam War. The Author served as a rifle company 2 i/c in the 1st Air Cavalry Division. His writing conveys vividly the stress, fear and noise of combat. He is honest in his opinions and readily admits to his own failings. Anyone reading this book will find that it links up very well with We were Soldiers Once and Young.

I read this book following "We were soldiers and young" and "We are soldiers still". I thoroughly enjoyed reading all three. The Film "We were Soldiers" I thought was very good and reading the book opened my eyes to what actually happened. This book also told the story of the men who marched into the same battle and fought with them before being asked to march a short distance to another landing Zone. The most striking thing for me was the Military Leadership did not appreciate what had happened at either landing zone. An excellent read from a man who lived through absolute hell, and came out of it a deeply troubled and changed man. 5 stars.