VIETNAM JOURNAL - SERIES 2 IBD

Sinopse

Vietnam Journal, the award-winning series,áreturns!July 1970. Scott (Journal) Neithammer has been reporting first-hand on President NixonâÇÖs military incursion into Cambodia to root out the North Vietnamese ArmyâÇÖs, until then, untouchable sanctuaries. However, this all comes to an abrupt end when he is kidnapped by over-zealous Military Police and returned to South Vietnam to face the Provost MarshallâÇÖs wrath.áThe incident sparks NeithammerâÇÖs unexpected journey back into the dreaded A Shau Valley where the 101st Airborne Division, once again,áattempts to bloody the noses of the NVA.ááJust one year earlier, their Brothers had fought a prolonged and divisive battle in the A Shau Valley onáHill 937, Dong Ap Bia Mountain-aka Hamburger Hill.This brings us to the siege of Fire Support BaseáRIPCORD. This is a storyáof over-confidence, arrogance, and revenge on the part of Military Assistance Command Vietnam in Saigon, coupled with an under-strength U.S. force sent to face an enemy whoáoutnumbersáthem ten to one.RIPCORDáwasáthe final large unit battle in the waning days of the Vietnam War for the United States.á The troops were expected to face a massive enemy presence, have minimal or no casualties, and receive limited ordinance and support, while vanquishing a highly motivated and well supplied enemy.á In the jargon of the boonie rats of the day - 'f**king typical'.RIPCORD is also the story of the senseless waste of young American lives, as was Hamburger Hill before it.áNevertheless, it recognizesáthe extreme heroism of the lowly infantry grunt, average age 18-years-old, who was expected to complete an overwhelming task.RIPCORD...a little known battle with an all too predictable outcome.áCollects Vietnam Journal: Series 2 issues 11-15.