We Were Soldiers Once... and Young: Ia Drang - The Battle that Changed the War in Vietnam by Harold G. Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
(Listened to Audible version) I'd say this is one of the most intense war time narratives I've ever read or listened to. Attention to detail has not been spared here. I listened on audio and I had to take frequent breaks as it was exhausting with all the action going on at the same time. Like many I had seen the movie this was based on but it was many years ago. I was born a year after the battle happened so I don't have first hand knowledge of the era but had uncles that were in the service(usually Marines) and one was wounded severely. You could say I grew up in the shadow of the Vietnam War era. Even my own service in the army in the 80's we'd encounter someone with the famous 1st Cav shoulder patch and it carried an aura of respectability.
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I've read or listened to war time accounts from many perspectives from individual soldiers, platoon leaders, Generals all the way to White House. Lt. Col. Moore’s account gave a rare accounting from a field officer from battalion level. His attention to detail is incredible, so much so it almost is a distraction at times , at least when listening to the audio version as hearing everyone's full unit description in the midst of the firefight each time someone is introduced but I digress too much.
The book focuses on the battle of Ia Drang valley in November of 1965. The battle is narrated not just by authors Lt. Col. Moore and Joseph Galloway but also others that were there too including testimony from the North Vietnamese commander. The story is intense, fast paced and raw. The book gives a glimpse into the beginnings of what was to become a drawn out war. An excellent narrative of the American war experience in Vietnam.
Thanks to all who served there.
