The soldiers in 1st Cav fought some of Vietnam's fiercest battles-- and Chaplain Newby was there right beside them. For grunts in Vietnam, the war was a jungle hell of sudden death, endless suffering,... This description may be from another edition of this product.
I had the good fortune of having served in combat with Claude Newby and I say 'good fortune' with true respect and admiration having seen him try to save the life of a critically wounded soldier in the jungle under fire. He was a combat Chaplain with the 1st of the 9th CAV then while I was a 19 year old serving as a pointman in a Recon Platoon. In 1970 I didn't have the sense that God gave a stump. But thanks to those like Claude Newby many of us who needed some sort of moral and spiritual guidance got in in spite of ourselves. If you are not the religious type don't be dissuaded by the term 'Chaplain.' I'm on the fence myself but I highly encourage you to buy and read this book and learn something more on the Vietnam War; something about duty, honor, decency and a man who stayed true to his principles during some very trying and difficult times. He was someone who urged the rest of us to stay true to them as well. In true self-effacing style Claude Newby's IT TOOK HEROES celebrates others in the war but after reading this book you'll come away knowing a better definition of the phrase and a better understanding of a man who best defined the terms.
don't let the 'Chaplain' part fool you, an excellent war novel
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
One of the VERY few Chaplains in Vietnam to get the Combat Infantry Badge (you have to get shot at a lot for that). He feels he needs to be 'with' the grunts to serve them, so he goes on patrols and the guys really like him. An interesting point of view and a good read.
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