A Company Commander's Journal

by Michael Lee Lanning

Book Overview

Lieutenant Michael Lee Lanning went to Vietnam as an eager young patriot who was confident of surviving the war. After six months in-country, he was promoted at age 23 to company commander, and his... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804101876
• ISBN13: 9780804101875
• Release Date: January 1988
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 311 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Second Book in a Two Book Series

The first book, that goes with this one is; The Only War We Had. Both these books are a compelling read, and I enjoyed them very much. The author writes directly from his journals keep during his 12 months in VN. He quotes the journal day by day and then expands on that from his memories of the events. His memory is reenforced by letters to his beloved wife. As a vet myself (91b20) I really enjoyed this book, but being an enlisted man, I am reminded this is written by an officer. That's not meant to be criticism, just an observation. It sounds like he was a remarkable officer. And excellent history of man and his commands. I'm really glad I read it. I noticed he has made some TV appearances on the history channel. I assume as an expert on VN., makes me want to watch for those. Thanks for your service Col.!

One of the best books I've ever read

I've had these books for more then 20 years now - taking them with me through flood and fire. The first is SECOND 6 months of his tour while, "The only war we ever had: A company Commanders Journal" is the FIRST 6 months of his tour in Vietnam in 1968-1969. M. Lee Lanning was the youngest person ever to lead an entire Company of 200 soldiers even though he was only a First Lieutenant, all at the age of 23. I find these books truly fascinating - they show the horror, the boredom, the friendships made and the attempts at comedy used to stay sane during wartime. I never thought that a "War Memoir" would ever capture my attention, but this did it. Many (if not most) war books are written by the pencil pushers or REMF's and not someone who actually held a rifle and saw the enemy. Each page is straight from the diary that his father gave him before he shipped out - then what follows is his memory of that day. One of my favorite excerpts: "Our move was delayed when one of the FNG's (F-ing New Guy), who had joined Bravo Co. at Crystal (their main base) a few days before, saw something in a clump of bamboo. Seconds later he approached me carrying a heavy, cone-shaped object that I immediately recognized as a 105mm artillery round. From it's shiny exterior, I deduced it was a "dud" from our fire before assaulting the bunkers. The FNG, proud of his find, had no clue what he was cradling in his arms. As calmly as possible, I told the man to walk back into the jungle for at least 50 meters, gently place the object on the ground and return to my location. The tone of my voice, and the fact that all the others were scrambling for cover, definitely got the troop's attention. Without a word, he followed my instructions. I braced for the expected explosion as he turned away and slowly walked towards the jungle..." If you get this make sure you also get "Only War We Had: A Platoon Leader's Journal of Vietnam" that is the first of this series - it contains his journal entries from the first 6 months of his tour.

An Excellent Real World Vietnam Book

I missed the Vietnam War by a year or two. I served as an 11B from 72-78. I always wondered what it would have been like to have been there in a rifle company. Plenty of books about SF and LRRPs, but not very many written by a real platoon leader. I never had a tremensous desire to be an elite soldier in an elite unit (if I could have even made it). I only wanted to be a rifle squad leader. This book really made me feel what it would have been like. What I missed. It is a real world book. Not a battle every minute book filled with stories of great exploits. Just a real world grunt in Vietnam book. I recommend the companion book "The Only War We Had."

vietnam 1969-1970

this book is the best book ive ever read.This book started out in hawaii lee was a luitenant at the time but he wanted to upgrade his level in office so he was asked to become company commader his journey through the viet kong was very exiting it was full of action and outrage his tale was very inspireing he stood up for his men and became very popular as bravo company commander and became one of the best plotoon in vietnam his wife lived in sanfracico her name was linda when lee move out of the states his wife was pregnant with there girl rosallie.he was waiting to come home after 8 months in the war he was a month awayfrom coming home to the states when he got a rear job which he was waiting for and then took his long ride back home to sanfracisco.

The awesome sequal to THE ONLY WAR WE HAD

This book is the second in the set, the first being THE ONLY WAR WE HAD. This book, however, is different in that the author is no longer a naive Lieutenant being shipped off to Vietnam. This book begins with the same Lieutenant--now aged and matured--returning to Vietnam from leave in Hawaii. Like his first book, VIETNAM 1969-1970: A COMPANY COMMANDER'S JOURNAL is both detailed and exciting.