We were Soldiers Once...And Young: Ia Drang--The Battle That Changed The War In Vietnam

We were Soldiers Once...And Young: Ia Drang--The Battle That Changed The War In Vietnam | Harold G. Moore, Joseph L. Galloway | Better than the movie!

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We were Soldiers O...

	We were Soldiers Once...And Young: Ia Drang--The Battle That Changed The War In Vietnam Harold G. Moore, Joseph L. Galloway Random House, 1992 - 432 pages average customer review:based on 248 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Each year, the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps selects one book that he believes is both relevant and timeless for reading by all Marines. The Commandant's choice for 1993 was We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young.
In November 1965, some 450 men of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, were dropped by helicopter into a small clearing in the Ia Drang Valley. They were immediately surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. Three days later, only two and a half miles away, a sister battalion was chopped to pieces. Together, these actions at the landing zones X-Ray and Albany constituted one of the most savage and significant battles of the Vietnam War.
How these men persevered--sacrificed themselves for their comrades and never gave up--makes a vivid portrait of war at its most inspiring and devastating. General Moore and Joseph Galloway, the only journalist on the ground throughout the fighting, have interviewed hundreds of men who fought there, including the North Vietnamese commanders. This devastating account rises above the specific ordeal it chronicles to present a picture of men facing the ultimate challenge, dealing with it in ways they would have found unimaginable only a few hours earlier. It reveals to us, as rarely before, man's most heroic and horrendous endeavor.

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An excellent historical account of this battle with commentary included

After seeing the movie version starring Mel Gibson based on this book, I wanted to read the historical account of the battle. Lt Gen Moore and Joseph Galloway do an excellent job describing the details in sequence of the two phases of the Ia Drang battle in the Viet Nam war (the movie covers the first phase only) including both facts and personal accounts of the battle. Lt Gen Moore's introductory chapter is an excellent commentary about our entry into the war especially concerning the mindset of those who first fought in this first big American battle in Viet Nam. The book presents stories of the individuals who fought in both phases of the battle in their own words, which is a strong point of the book. Lt Gen Moore's descriptions and comments are interspersed with these personal accounts of the battle, and a number of pictures of these individuals are included.

The last part of the book is most excellent. Here, the authors set up the second phase of the battle at LZ Albany and describe it from the viewpoint of those who were involved. The reader can anticipate the assault that follows. I also appreciate the chapter that follows up with the families of those who died in battle concerning how they have dealt with the loss of their loved one since then. It is very moving.

I strongly recommend this book for people who have seen the movie version and want to read what actually happened in this battle. It is also good for students of history (this is an excellent military history) and political science (Lt. Gen. Moore's comments about our involvement in Vietnam are very insightful).

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Better than the movie!

I admit I am a war movie buff. I bought the book after watching the movie version several times. I knew the book should be more detailed and it is! Great read.

We Were Soldiers Once--- And Young

This was the first military history book I ever read, it was written well and so interesting I have read a few others. It is a must read book.

probably the most accurate and precise accounts of a major action in Vietman

Joe and General Moore narrate a precisely written, no frills account of the first major action between two excellent commanders and their superbly trained troops. The work does not describe battle as glamorous or noble; it recounts the horror, the pain, chaos, acts of courage, and of sacrifice that is part and parcel of the fog of battle. Utterly straight forward with no holds barred. If you want confirmation of my review please read General Moore's AAR (after action report). You find the matter of fact narrative and analysis of the battle in General Moore's report. I consider it an honor to know Joe personally and consider him one of the most acute correspondents and journalists of this century. Essential reading for anyone hoping to make sense of the Vietnam War.

Jim Payne

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Many years prior to this work was another:

"The 13th Valley" by John Del Vecchio
Among the best novels ever written on the Vietnam War.
Reviews: The 13th Valley

Del Vecchio followed with the equally poignant "Carry Me Home."
Reviews: Carry Me Home

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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