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Flashing Saber: Three Years in Vietnam
“The division's expendables.” That's what one division commander called the Ninth Cavalry Blue platoons during the Vietnam War. The Blues, as they were called, were perpetually understrength and considered to be acceptable losses in hopeless situations—but their amazingly successful record proved otherwise.
A firsthand account of mortal combat with the Ninth Cavalry, Flashing Saber is the remarkable story of the brave men who served in the First Air Cavalry Division's reconnaissance squadron. Included is an account of an air-ground raid that overran a regimental command post and killed more high-ranking enemy officers than any similar engagement of the war.
The story begins when a teenager, an Eagle Scout and West Point Prep School student, goes to Vietnam in 1965. Motivated by patriotism and the desire to see combat firsthand, Brennan volunteers for front line duty and spends years as an artillery forward observer and infantryman. Promoted to sergeant and then to lieutenant, Brennan participates in hundreds of assault landings.
An expansion and careful reworking of his previous work, Brennan's War, published in 1985, and in the vein of classic memoirs by Johnnie Clark and Frederick Downs, Flashing Saberis a harrowing firsthand account of life and death in war, one filled with breathtaking details about a renowned unit.
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1985
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
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March 7, 2020Wow.
A great read. Not a good read but a great read. So very hard to imagine what so many of the folks who fought in Nam went through. This book will shed some light on what they endured.
A great read. Not a good read but a great read. So very hard to imagine what so many of the folks who fought in Nam went through. This book will shed some light on what they endured.
August 31, 2019
Excellent, extensive personal account of Delta, Charlie, Bravo 1/9 Air Cav.
This was a well written account of what infantry troops, and especially the Blues experienced both early and later in the First Air Cavalry experience in Vietnam. I was a one tour Cobra pilot. We barely got our feet wet in comparison.
This was a well written account of what infantry troops, and especially the Blues experienced both early and later in the First Air Cavalry experience in Vietnam. I was a one tour Cobra pilot. We barely got our feet wet in comparison.
September 7, 2020
Outstanding
There for the grace of God went I. Matt thanks for describing so well the war I missed. Was a medic who never went. They lost me in the system When my friends starting coming back changed I stopped volunteering You did not. Thanks for your sacrifice Bro
There for the grace of God went I. Matt thanks for describing so well the war I missed. Was a medic who never went. They lost me in the system When my friends starting coming back changed I stopped volunteering You did not. Thanks for your sacrifice Bro
January 5, 2018
Great !
This was just like your neighbor telling the story. I have read many book about the Vietnam war. And culture.
This was just like your neighbor telling the story. I have read many book about the Vietnam war. And culture.
March 24, 2019
Excellent personal account of my husband's three years in Vietnam.
Photographic memory brings a lot of details of his time in Vietnam.
Reading this book was an emotional experience.
Photographic memory brings a lot of details of his time in Vietnam.
Reading this book was an emotional experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2015
"Flashing Saber: Three Years in Vietnam" tells the story of a young man who quits college and joins the Army in 1965. He volunteers for Vietnam and is assigned to the 1st Cavalry Div - 9th Infantry. Initially, he is assigned to an artillery unit as a Forward Observer in Division HQ - a relatively safe position, but volunteers for the infantry units that patrol through the jungles looking for the enemy. At first, he is awed by his surroundings, naive in the ways of war and soon has his first firefight with the enemy. Wondering if he had made the wrong decision, he decides to give it his best and learn all he can to stay alive.
Sgt. Brennan later joined the famed "B-Troop Blues" unit which go looking for trouble and do so daily. Intelligence receives information and the small platoons are sent to engage the enemy. Most firefights are hit and run from the enemy, but when it's over, trophies and souvenirs are plentiful. These units are extremely skilled and battle hardened, soon developing a warrior reputation among other fighting units in country. The author's accounts are brought to life in such detail that readers may have to periodically take a break to ensure they are not in the war fighting alongside him.
The author returns home after his first extended tour and discovers that his fiance hadn't been true to him in his absence. He leaves town and heads out on his own to find himself. Life is difficult. There is no excitement, camaraderie, and getting a job is almost impossible because of his war veteran status and he soon misses those friends he'd left behind. Sgt. Brennan reenlists specifically to rejoin the Blues, feeling re energized and content after the first mission.
With this tome covering such an extended period of time, the author shows readers how tactics, leadership, discipline and racism evolve during these years - especially during his final tour in 1969. Mr. Brennan does not sugarcoat anything and tells it like it was - leaving little to the imagination. During this final tour, Sgt. Brennan receives a field commission to lieutenant and is assigned to one of the Cav. platoons. His first patrol in the bush scares him silly - no noise discipline, continuous complaints, refusal to follow directions, etc., clearly demonstrating that this new generation of soldiers must be schooled in the ways of war. So begins jungle training from scratch. The new lieutenant soon gets a reputation as a great leader within the battalion and other soldiers are begging to join his platoon. However, a change in leadership within the company and battalion leadership makes it difficult for Brennan to keep his men safe and out of harms way. Dissension grows as his men begin to die unnecessarily!
As a Vietnam vet myself, I could relate to much of what the author wrote. I was, however, fascinated by the Blues missions and learned much about this elite group of soldiers. I do have one concern that kept me from awarding 5 stars in my review...typos and misused words, especially in the last quarter of the book - almost like somebody else wrote that portion. I also apologize for being the only reviewer to bring this to your attention. Please take the time to make the corrections - readers will then find it less distracting.
I want to commend the author for his work - I know how much time and devotion is necessary to create a story about his war experiences and awareness of what the war was really like in Vietnam. Great job Mr. Brennan! Thank you for your service and Welcome Home Brother (sir)!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
Sgt. Brennan later joined the famed "B-Troop Blues" unit which go looking for trouble and do so daily. Intelligence receives information and the small platoons are sent to engage the enemy. Most firefights are hit and run from the enemy, but when it's over, trophies and souvenirs are plentiful. These units are extremely skilled and battle hardened, soon developing a warrior reputation among other fighting units in country. The author's accounts are brought to life in such detail that readers may have to periodically take a break to ensure they are not in the war fighting alongside him.
The author returns home after his first extended tour and discovers that his fiance hadn't been true to him in his absence. He leaves town and heads out on his own to find himself. Life is difficult. There is no excitement, camaraderie, and getting a job is almost impossible because of his war veteran status and he soon misses those friends he'd left behind. Sgt. Brennan reenlists specifically to rejoin the Blues, feeling re energized and content after the first mission.
With this tome covering such an extended period of time, the author shows readers how tactics, leadership, discipline and racism evolve during these years - especially during his final tour in 1969. Mr. Brennan does not sugarcoat anything and tells it like it was - leaving little to the imagination. During this final tour, Sgt. Brennan receives a field commission to lieutenant and is assigned to one of the Cav. platoons. His first patrol in the bush scares him silly - no noise discipline, continuous complaints, refusal to follow directions, etc., clearly demonstrating that this new generation of soldiers must be schooled in the ways of war. So begins jungle training from scratch. The new lieutenant soon gets a reputation as a great leader within the battalion and other soldiers are begging to join his platoon. However, a change in leadership within the company and battalion leadership makes it difficult for Brennan to keep his men safe and out of harms way. Dissension grows as his men begin to die unnecessarily!
As a Vietnam vet myself, I could relate to much of what the author wrote. I was, however, fascinated by the Blues missions and learned much about this elite group of soldiers. I do have one concern that kept me from awarding 5 stars in my review...typos and misused words, especially in the last quarter of the book - almost like somebody else wrote that portion. I also apologize for being the only reviewer to bring this to your attention. Please take the time to make the corrections - readers will then find it less distracting.
I want to commend the author for his work - I know how much time and devotion is necessary to create a story about his war experiences and awareness of what the war was really like in Vietnam. Great job Mr. Brennan! Thank you for your service and Welcome Home Brother (sir)!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
March 2, 2017
Matthew's Long Walk
The narrative did ramble at times, but given how long this soldier was there, I'm not quite sure how it wouldn't. I hope the author has found some measure of solace writing this book. God bless him for remembering all the men he served with. He kept many of them alive.
The narrative did ramble at times, but given how long this soldier was there, I'm not quite sure how it wouldn't. I hope the author has found some measure of solace writing this book. God bless him for remembering all the men he served with. He kept many of them alive.
January 12, 2016
Better than I have recently come to expect.
It's tough to put down, and frustrating to keep reading. I'm not PC. I'm Alaskan. Old school. Old soldier. The only real fault I have is the author didn't name inept officers that he said were responsible for the loss of men under their command, and let them hide behind his brief description of them.
If Matt Brennan is still alive I would ask that he find the backbone he had as a soldier and correct what I believe is his only failing with this history.
You do that Matt and I will give you the fifth star, and save a beer and a Friday night steak for you at American Legion Post 28 in Anchorage.
It's tough to put down, and frustrating to keep reading. I'm not PC. I'm Alaskan. Old school. Old soldier. The only real fault I have is the author didn't name inept officers that he said were responsible for the loss of men under their command, and let them hide behind his brief description of them.
If Matt Brennan is still alive I would ask that he find the backbone he had as a soldier and correct what I believe is his only failing with this history.
You do that Matt and I will give you the fifth star, and save a beer and a Friday night steak for you at American Legion Post 28 in Anchorage.
August 5, 2015
The way it really was
I am sure this book describes the way it really was. I knew many Vietnam vets when in Germany in 1971-1987. They were sent to Germany prior to returning home because they were in such bad shape mentally. And many were heavily drug addicted. Some told me stories and some barely spoke to anyone. So I really felt Matthew Brennan's stories are real.
I am sure this book describes the way it really was. I knew many Vietnam vets when in Germany in 1971-1987. They were sent to Germany prior to returning home because they were in such bad shape mentally. And many were heavily drug addicted. Some told me stories and some barely spoke to anyone. So I really felt Matthew Brennan's stories are real.
September 16, 2015
A Gluten For Punishment
This writer fad a higher tolerance for the Vietnam War than I did. I went to the war as a warrant officer and came back with my body intact but not my mind. I tried not to kill anyone, and I hope I didn't. This writer did a great job in explaining why this war was not worth one life, Vietnamese or American.
This writer fad a higher tolerance for the Vietnam War than I did. I went to the war as a warrant officer and came back with my body intact but not my mind. I tried not to kill anyone, and I hope I didn't. This writer did a great job in explaining why this war was not worth one life, Vietnamese or American.
December 14, 2015
This book could of been so much better if it was not so disjointed.It really was hard to follow what was happening from one sentence to the next.I found myself having to go back and read whole pages again to understand what was going on.It's not a bad book the stories are amazing but it was just laid out terribly.It reminded me of reading a lot of small random reminder notes instead of a story.
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May 20, 2015A good story well told but a little disjointed to follow. Brennen spent so much time in Viet Nam and moved among so many units and locations it was hard to follow, but that said it was a strong first hand account that almost placed you in the action with him.
May 15, 2015
A book written by a true hero
As a Vietnam vet I can appreciate the author's heroism and accomplishments. The book is well written and flows well. A good read to learn what our troops dealt with in Vietnam.
As a Vietnam vet I can appreciate the author's heroism and accomplishments. The book is well written and flows well. A good read to learn what our troops dealt with in Vietnam.
May 20, 2015
Start to finish a thought provoking story
The author hopefully has been able to confront his demons and been able to sleep soundly. Thank you for your service. Your book was a very good read. Thoughtful in every way.
The author hopefully has been able to confront his demons and been able to sleep soundly. Thank you for your service. Your book was a very good read. Thoughtful in every way.
August 16, 2015
Great read by a true hero
I read books about Vietnam to learn more of what my father went through. This is an excellent read by a true American hero we all owe a debt of gratitude to. Thank you!
I read books about Vietnam to learn more of what my father went through. This is an excellent read by a true American hero we all owe a debt of gratitude to. Thank you!
December 23, 2015
This was a really good book that kept my interest all the way thru. The author tells it like the memoir it is and tells us the good things as well as the tragic episodes. We can certainly respect this author as a soldier, and an author too!
Matthew Brennan, Thanks for telling us your story!
Matthew Brennan, Thanks for telling us your story!
April 14, 2015
Great read about air mobile.
Lots of action and the story gives a lot of insight. He was lucky to start out with a veteran blue unit.
Lots of action and the story gives a lot of insight. He was lucky to start out with a veteran blue unit.
May 3, 2015
The real deal.
Fantastic read! Can't recommend this book any more than 5 stars? That's too bad. Thank you Lt. Brennan for your service and this incredible book.
Fantastic read! Can't recommend this book any more than 5 stars? That's too bad. Thank you Lt. Brennan for your service and this incredible book.
April 20, 2015
Three years of hell on earth
This book is amazing. I always wondered what could have been done in that in that hell hole of a country.
This book is amazing. I always wondered what could have been done in that in that hell hole of a country.
April 25, 2015
Overview
Well written. Gives the reader an insight of the daily lives of the infantryman in Viet Nam and the dealing with the rear echelon troops
Well written. Gives the reader an insight of the daily lives of the infantryman in Viet Nam and the dealing with the rear echelon troops
May 19, 2015
Transition
This covers the transition from gung to disillusionment ,from vigorous pursuit and engagement to bidding time at the cost of good men.
This covers the transition from gung to disillusionment ,from vigorous pursuit and engagement to bidding time at the cost of good men.
June 26, 2015
Great book covering the war
This book is an honestly written account of a soldiers experiences over three years of war in VietNam. His account is one of the better written.
This book is an honestly written account of a soldiers experiences over three years of war in VietNam. His account is one of the better written.
July 10, 2015
Great read
Brought back memories of a long time ago. Well written . Great detail about duty and honor. Brotherhood only a combat veteran would understand.
Brought back memories of a long time ago. Well written . Great detail about duty and honor. Brotherhood only a combat veteran would understand.
July 14, 2015
Great read honest and heart breaking
A life lost and found I hope and pray the author found a little peace ( sic) and happiness in his years after the war.
A life lost and found I hope and pray the author found a little peace ( sic) and happiness in his years after the war.
November 2, 2015
First person related
A good read for those that were fortunate enough to be somewhere else during that time. The ones in this book are all heroes
A good read for those that were fortunate enough to be somewhere else during that time. The ones in this book are all heroes
March 8, 2016
Good book recommend it.
It looked interesting. Am Vietnam veteran . liked the story line. It was well written. I recommend it.
Good. Job
It looked interesting. Am Vietnam veteran . liked the story line. It was well written. I recommend it.
Good. Job
September 19, 2016
Memories
This was a very well written and factual book. I was surprised to read about projects I was involved in ..
This was a very well written and factual book. I was surprised to read about projects I was involved in ..
February 4, 2016
Written by a soldier, not a writer. But very good.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews