Vietnam Combat

An American soldier vividly recounts leading a platoon through the most chaotic and significant year of the Vietnam War.

In 1968, 1st Lieutenant Robin Bartlett was reassigned to the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). He suddenly found himself at the “repo-depo” in Bien Hoa. His unit had more helicopter support than any other in Vietnam. That meant immediate support was only minutes away. But It also meant that Bartlett’s platoon could deploy at a moment’s notice. And they did.

It was the worst of times to be a platoon leader in Vietnam, let alone a grunt serving in a combat unit. Beyond the brutality of combat, Bartlett faced a crisis of commitment as the war rapidly lost support both at home and among the soldiers he led. Fifty years later, Bartlett shares these harrowing experiences in a fast-moving, first-person narrative that shines a light on the horror, fear, anguish, and sometimes illogical humor of that war.

Finalist, 2023 Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Awards