Vietnam

About the Book

This is an account by a soldier who for many months fought in the jungles, villages and rice paddies in Vietnam during 1963, a most critical year in the 15 year war the United States fought in that country. He also had the opportunity to witness the most powerful decision - makers being misled about the situation in that war-torn country.

In this book the observation of this field grade officer who was living and fighting with the Vietnamese are highlighted. This is an incredible tale which spells out why the most powerful nation in the world went to war against one of the world's smallest and weakest countries which is located almost exactly half a world away from Washington, D.C. where the decisions were made to commit the blood, money and reputation of the United States in a conflict against this tiny nation which was actively seeking our friendship.

The author discusses the almost unbelievable lack of interest displayed by the vast majority of the American people during the first nine years of this conflict, and how little an impact the war had on Americans, except for the few who were for the most part from the least privileged elements of our society. To a large extent these were the ones who were called upon to do the fighting and dying.

Highlighted in the book are the numerous exaggerated, misleading, and false reports made by some of our leaders about hamlet progress, enemy activities and victories on the battlefield. It took almost ten years before the smoke cleared enough for Americans to realize what was happening in this seemingly endless conflict and when they did over two-thirds of them cried for a quick end of our involvement.

The author spells out the costs of the war which included over 58 000 Americans killed in action, and quite likely over one million Vietnamese were killed. Surprisingly, when the end of the war finally came, those who we fought for so long quickly expressed the same desire for our friendship that they had expressed before the first shot was fired.

The author also points out that to this day many Americans refuse to acknowledge the painful lessons we learned during this conflict and childishly continue to blame some of their fellow Americans for our inability claim a victory in what from the start was most likely a vain endeavor.

About the Author

Robert M. Bayless retired from the US Army as a colonel after serving over 30 years on active duty. As a junior major during 1962 he was one of the early volunteers to seek service in Vietnam. After serving several months in a high-level staff position in Saigon, he requested duty as an advisor with the Vietnamese regiment which was in constant combat in the most hotly contested area in Vietnam. This unit played a major role in the coup d'etat which overthrew the government of Ngo Dinh Diem.

After returning from Vietnam he was selected to serve as an instructor for officers who were on orders for Vietnam. He was also used by the army to make numerous presentations about Vietnam to civic, religious, and academic organizations.