US Marine Rifleman in Vietnam: 1965-1973

Osprey Warrior #23

by Charles D. Melson

This volume provides an in-depth look at the experience of the ordinary US marine 'grunt' in Vietnam. Organisation of the corps, weaponry, equipment, uniforms, training and medical arrangements are all discussed. However, where this book differs from other similar works is not only in the detail that it goes into but also in the unifying theme of examining all these differing aspects of marine life from the point of view of a soldier serving in the conflict. The author, Charles Melson, actually served in the Vietnam War (1955-1975), and it is this personal experience that allows him to provide such a unique angle on the subject.

Genres: History, Military History

64 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 1998

Reviews

[Henry Davis IV · Rating 2 out of 5]

With each book in Osprey Publishing's extensive military history catalog, you can expect a well written and well researched discussion of the work's topic tailored to the length or specific focus of the book (such as equipment, tactics, or an overview of a typical Soldier / warrior's experiences). Unfortunately, this book does not hold to Osprey's normally high quality standards. Although we appreciate and laud the author for his service with the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam, he has written this book as more of a personal "war story" with plenty of asides and other material that detracts from actually covering this book's topic (i.e. the training, equipment, use, and general experience of a Marine Corps rifleman in during the Vietnam War). Further exacerbating this issue, the author tries quite unsuccessfully to add an element of historical fiction to this non-fiction book by using some created characters to describe a rifleman's experience. In the end, this book provides a good idea of what it was like for a Marine riflemen in the 9th Marine Regiment during Operation Dewey Canyon in the Spring of 1969. While this does provide some insight about Marine riflemen in general, this book lacks a lot of detail and even the quality of graphics normally found in Osprey's Warrior book series. I do not recommend this book to anyone unless they specifically have an interest in the 9th Marine Regiment or Operation Dewey Canyon and, even then, only recommend this as an interesting read - not something to be referenced or base any type of analysis or broader understanding upon.

[Marcus · Rating 2 out of 5]

If regarded as an introductory reference work, this Osprey volume does a pretty good job. It will provide the reader basic information regarding uniforms, squad and platoon level weapons/auxiliary equipment used by U.S. Marines units during Vietnam conflict.

Where it fails, in quite typical manner for other volumes in this series I've read so far, is in sticking with the purpose of this particular Osprey cycle. Volumes in Warrior series are intended to provide the 'grunt's view' of volume's subject matter. The author makes a decent start here and describes recruitment and training of Marines in some detail. But, as soon as his man arrives to Vietnam, the focus switches to more technical discussion about equipment and the booklet somehow looses its purpose.

[McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Historical books then this book is a good read. It goes through all aspects of the Marine Rifleman in Vietnam.