The fierce close combat in the remote areas of South Vietnam's northern provinces in 1967-1968 - the battles of Hiep Duc, March 11, Nhi Ha, and Hill 406 - has been a strangely underreported slice of the Vietnam War. Through the Valley brings those battles into sharp focus, chronicling the efforts of the proud units of the Americal Division and the 196th Light Infantry Brigade against a stubborn enemy in long-forgotten villages and on torturous hills.
Humphries draws on both his own combat experience and the eyewitness reports of former veterans, and a multitude of US Army and Marine Corps documents to create a powerful reconstruction of combat in Vietnam. He also pieces together declassified information on the opposing North Vietnamese and Vietcong units, tracing the troops' actions and putting a face on an otherwise anonymous enemy.
James F. Humphries served two tours of duty in Vietnam with the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade. He retired from the army in 1988.
Title: Through the Valley: Vietnam, 1967-1968
Author: Humphries, James F.
ISBN: 9781626379756
Binding:
Publisher: Lynne Rienner Publishers Inc
Publication Date: 2021-04-30
Number of Pages: 340
Weight: 0.5051 kg
A riveting account of several hitherto obscure or overlooked battles in the northern provinces of South Vietnam in 1967 and 1968.
Humphries excels in capturing the problems, confusion, teamwork, and heroics that accompany combat.
Through the Valley ... is a must-read for anyone claiming to be knowledgeable about Vietnam combat. Humphries is to be commended for the excellence and professionalism he exhibits in his superlative work. With it he honors those who served.
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Through the Valley] is a sad story.... It is also a fine story of outstanding combat leadership and of courage and aggressiveness under heavy fire.... Well worth the reading for those interested in how the conventional war was fought in Vietnam.