Voices from the Vietnam War. Xiaobing Li
VOICES FROM THE
VIETNAM WAR
Stories from
American, Asian,
and Russian Veterans
XIAOBING LI
THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF KENTUCKY
Copyright © 2010 by The University Press of Kentucky
Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth,
serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University.
All rights reserved.
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14 13 12 11 10 5 4 3 2 1
Maps by Dick Gilbreath, Stephanie Shaw, and Ted Smith at the University of Kentucky Cartography Lab.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Li, Xiaobing, 1954-
Voices from the Vietnam War : stories from American, Asian, and Russian veterans / Xiaobing Li.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8131-2592-3 (hardcover : acid-free paper)
1. Vietnam War, 1961-1975—Personal narratives. I. Title.
DS559.5.L518 2010
959.704’30922—dc22
2010007779
This book is printed on acid-free recycled paper meeting the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence in Paper for Printed Library Materials.
Manufactured in the United States of America.
Member of the Association of
American University Presses
For Tran, Kevin, and Christina
Contents
1. A Buddhist Soldier Defends a Catholic Government
2. Surviving the Bloody Jungle
3. Electronic Reconnaissance vs. Guerrillas
4. Communist Regulars from the North
5. People's War against Americans
6. No Final Victory, No Family Life
7. Russian Missile Officers in Vietnam
8. The Dragon's Tale: Chinese Troops in the Jungle
9. Chinese Response to the U.S. Rolling Thunder Campaign
11. Long Days and Endless Nights: An Artillery Story
12. And Then They're Gone…Just Like That
13. No John Wayne Movie: Real Bullets, Real Blood
14. More Than Meets the Eye: Supporting the Intelligence Effort
15. Medevac and Medcap Missions and More
16. Drowning Tears with Laughter
17. Life and Death of an ARVN Doctor
18. A Korean Captain and His Hospital
19. “Loggie's” War: Napalm, Fuel, Bombs, and Sweat
20. Support and Survival in Thailand
22. Chinese Railroad Engineering Operations
Conclusion: Perspectives on the War
Maps