Charlie Rangers

by Don Ericson, John L. Rotundo

They were the biggest Ranger company in Vietnam, and the best. For eighteen months, John L. Rotundo and Don Ericson braved the test of war at its most bloody and most raw, specializing in ambushing the enemy and fighting jungle guerillas using their own tactics. From the undiluted high of a "contact" with the enemy to the anguished mourning of a fallen comrade, they experienced nearly every emotion known to man--most of all, the power and the pride of being the finest on America's front lines.

Genres: Military Fiction, History, War, Military History, Nonfiction

328 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 27, 1988

Reviews

[Mark Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an another excellent book regarding the men and missions of the Long Range Patrol. While other, also excellent books, focused on Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols, Charlie Rangers often focuses on fighting patrols in enemy held territory. There is no exaggeration or bluff, just simple storytelling about young Americans fighting not so much for their country, or politics but for the man beside them.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

One more perspective from the fighting men who served in Vietnam. I haven't read a book from this point of view: honest, brutally honest, humorous, and no-nonsense in their approach to the killing they did. A good read...

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

My relative was a Charlie Ranger and he's listed in the appendix. I've heard briefly about his training and experience, but it was interesting to read this book which gave a more in-depth perspective.

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Charlie Rangers, Don Ericson and John L. Rotundo chronicle their experiences as Long Range Penetration operators during the Vietnam War. Company C, 75th infantry provided staff for Corps Intelligence, so teams of 4 to 20 men would be inserted via Helicopters, set up an ambush or investigate a camp- site- and then bring back the results- prisoners if possible- body count if not. The Narrative follows our boys- from induction through basic- through selection for Rangers- into action. There is also a lot of other Vietnam era content- music preferences and Enlisted Men's Club session among others. I found myself wishing that these fellows could give us more context as to where they were having these tussles and what the results of the intel was- but there are no maps or diagrams. There are some good period photos- but this is more about how special operations felt to the young men who performed the missions than it is a military unit history. As a historical document it is a compelling piece of nonfiction.

I do have to discuss two aspects to this book that may bother some readers. Almost all Vietnamese, friend or foe, are identified as "dinks" or "gook" far more often than "VC" "Viet Cong" "NVA" or even "Charlie". It gets old fast- probably not so discordant when this was published in 1989- but really grating in 2022. And then there's the Race Riot at the Enlisted Men's Club, after white Charlie Rangers make fun of Black Power greetings amongst other servicemen. Once again- this might have played better in the 1989- but falls a bit flat now. It made some passages a little bit of a chore to read in an otherwise fast flowing story. Readers may make their own judgements- but I did want folks to be forewarned.

A lot of adult themes and graphic violent passages make this best read by a Junior Reader over 15/16 years of age. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast crowd- this is a mixed package. The gamer gets some possible scenario ideas- and little bit from the B/w Photos of the look pof the period. The Modeler gets those pics to look at and a few build and diorama ideas. The Military Enthusiast gets a look inside one of the elite units in the Vietnam War US Army, getting an understanding of the toll the pace of operations took on the young men who fought. I wished for more context- some idea of what information was gleaned from these raids and ambushes- but this is not the book for that. This is a book about young men caught up in a hard job in an iconic conflict.

[Johnie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost as if I was back in the jungle fighting with them again

[Gabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book, my great uncle fought with the author’s and sadly was killed in action

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband also a Ranger with Charley Co. came home six months before the two authors arrived in VietNam. My husband and these authors were there during the time when the biggest tally of Rangers were killed in action, so it goes without saying, my husband lost most of his friends, and the ones remaining from the 3rd. platoon are friends for life. I won't mention his name, but he is listed in the back of that book. I read this book years ago, and remember asking him if he cared to read it. He smiled and quietly told me there was no need, as he knew everything in that book as he had lived it. He attends his combat veterans group, which includes Marines, and Army- No Rangers from VietNam. He never complains about the past, but woe to any person that bad mouths that war if he is not a Vietnam Veteran. That brings out the past in him, and he will fight over these guys that went to Vietnam and died. And he gets real uptight when hearing about stolen honor. These Rangers were the best and fought a war that very few supported, and came home to an indifferent country. I honor those Rangers, and will till I die.