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A Dusty Boot Soldier Remembers
A Dusty Boot Soldier Remembers is the personal memoir of Colonel Larry Redmond, U. S. Army (RET). It covers his 24-year military career, beginning with his commissioning as a
Lieutenant of Infantry in 1962 upon graduation from Providence College to various command
and staff positions with the 101st Airborne Division, 8th Special Forces Group Airborne, XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82d Airborne Division and various other special operations units. Colonel Redmond did two combat tours in Vietnam and had overseas assignments that took him to Panama, Thailand, England, and Israel. Reviewers have called COL Redmond a “true warrior and patriot” and a “superb soldier,” and have hailed his book as “sincere and thrilling” and a “must read.”
576 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2015
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8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 18, 2016
I have this theory that every retiree with a computer considers himself to be an author. In this instance, Larry Redmond is an author. This may be his first work and initiated at the behest of his children, but his writing is well done and professional. He presents a “good read” in his “A Dusty Boot Soldier Remembers.” As with most memoirs, there is not a clear “plot line” except for the trajectory and events of his career. Fortunately, Larry’s career was filled with a wide variety of assignments, most of which were important jobs.
Redmond was lucky, it that is the correct word, to be commissioned in June 1962 and assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. The timing of his commission and his unit of assignment meant that he was among the first to go to Vietnam where he served as a platoon leader and company commander. By the end of the war he had served two tours.
I don’t want to bore the reader with a list of his assignments but they pretty much fit the profile of an infantry officer with plenty of potential for further promotion. He was assigned to Infantry Branch as an assignment officer, and the Navy Command and General Staff College. Then he was selected to participate in the United Nations Military Observers Group in the wake of the Yom Kippur War. His combat experience and proven quality performance qualified him to validate a new unit: Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta. Finally, he also was selected to command the 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division.
Following an exceptional tour in battalion command, Redmond got sucked in to the planning world, an experience that would occupy much of his subsequent professional life. Escaping from the “mundane activity of planning,” Redmond and his family moved to England while he attended the Royal Military College.
Redmond’s book is more than a family history written for his children. Redmond’s story provides insights into the life of a professional military officer in the Vietnam War and subsequent years. He need not be disappointed that he retired as a colonel. His contributions to the U.S. Army were more significant than many who were selected to flag rank. His assignments and accomplishments prove that Redmond was a true professional soldier with a love for the institution and the soldiers who man it.
Pop your chest up, Colonel. You have written a great memoir.
Redmond was lucky, it that is the correct word, to be commissioned in June 1962 and assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. The timing of his commission and his unit of assignment meant that he was among the first to go to Vietnam where he served as a platoon leader and company commander. By the end of the war he had served two tours.
I don’t want to bore the reader with a list of his assignments but they pretty much fit the profile of an infantry officer with plenty of potential for further promotion. He was assigned to Infantry Branch as an assignment officer, and the Navy Command and General Staff College. Then he was selected to participate in the United Nations Military Observers Group in the wake of the Yom Kippur War. His combat experience and proven quality performance qualified him to validate a new unit: Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta. Finally, he also was selected to command the 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division.
Following an exceptional tour in battalion command, Redmond got sucked in to the planning world, an experience that would occupy much of his subsequent professional life. Escaping from the “mundane activity of planning,” Redmond and his family moved to England while he attended the Royal Military College.
Redmond’s book is more than a family history written for his children. Redmond’s story provides insights into the life of a professional military officer in the Vietnam War and subsequent years. He need not be disappointed that he retired as a colonel. His contributions to the U.S. Army were more significant than many who were selected to flag rank. His assignments and accomplishments prove that Redmond was a true professional soldier with a love for the institution and the soldiers who man it.
Pop your chest up, Colonel. You have written a great memoir.
October 22, 2016
A Dusty Boot Soldier Remembers written by retired Army Colonel Larry Redmond is an outstanding chronicle of what a very successful career as an Army officer looks like. Colonel Redmond entered the Army from a working-class family of Irish descent. He became an officer from his college’s ROTC program and spent much of his career as a paratrooper. The book depicts how the Army rewards people who are willing to work hard, are mission oriented, embrace change, seek education and challenge, are willing to move worldwide, sacrifice a lot, work with diverse people on a global scale, and still raise a wonderful and highly functional family. It is a tale of how the military constantly and systematically develops leaders like Colonel Redmond and through people like Colonel Redmond. His “25 Rules” are well worth following for anyone seeking leadership positions. His career shows how the United States is making a positive global impact through outstanding citizens and leaders like Larry Redmond. COL Mark A. Scureman US Army retired
June 22, 2016
A multi-faceted career of a true hero during the Vietnam war that will inspire and open eyes to not only military veterans, but to anyone having no military experience due to the author's conveyance and explanation of military terms. His experiences with British and Israeli forces during his career coupled with Airborne operations and training are truly one of a kind.
Signed,
John Blount, Captain, USMC, Retired (Mustang)
Signed,
John Blount, Captain, USMC, Retired (Mustang)
May 17, 2016
Outstanding read especially for a retired U S Navy Officer. Each chapter covers a specific period of Larry's career and as a retired USN Captain I can actually see some commonality with my experiences, except in a different warfare specialty. Strongly recommend reading for any military affiliated person.
Bill Herman
Bill Herman
July 16, 2016
As I was reading this wonderful book, I imagined that I was sitting with the author in his family room as he was telling me his story. The book is a page turner, I could not put it down! Col. Redmond is a true American soldier with a great story and biography for lasting memories. What a wonderful book to give as a gift!
May 15, 2016
Great read! Col Redmond tells it like it was in the Cold War and Vietnam years, with great insight into soldiers' lives during the tough days of combat, seeing friends hurt and die. Just as interesting are his tales of the peacetime Army from Panama to the Middle East.
June 26, 2016
A great read! It keeps you turning the pages. When you finish this book you will have in depth insight of a true Patriot. Current and past members of our Armed Forces and civilians alike will find this book a thrilling read.
June 23, 2016
AS A RETIRED AIR FORCE OFFICER WHO SERVED IN VIETNAM - I FOUND IT TO BE ACCURATE AND VERY WELL WRITTEN
July 8, 2016
Well written. Can,t wait to turn the page and see what's next.
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March 25, 2018MWSA Review
A primer in leadership, duty, and determination
When I began to read A Dusty Boot Soldier Remembers, I quickly felt Colonel Larry Redmond was sitting beside me, relating in a verbal folksy manner the many stories of his amazing career as a Special Forces qualified Airborne Ranger infantry officer who never strayed far from a paratrooper's billet. These were not cold words on a page, but a warm, factual portrayal of a quarter of a century of challenging experiences.
Redmond’s memories provide an insider's view of Army history from 1962, when he got his gold bar as a second lieutenant, through his retirement as a colonel and senior planner for Central Command in 1986. In addition to two tours as a company commander with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam where he received the Purple Heart and Silver Star, he commanded a battalion in the 82nd Airborne and served as United Nations observer on the Golan Heights following the 1973 Israeli-Arab war. He also spent several years as a Green Beret in Panama. One of his more interesting assignments was testing the fledgling Detachment Delta to ensure its readiness to become operational as the Army's elite counter-terrorism force.
He explains how all of the assignments brought new understanding to the author's evolution as an extraordinary officer. Scattered throughout the narrative are "Redmond's Rules," some witty lessons learned that any soldier can benefit by following. These range from "Things get worse under pressure. Stay cool." to "Think it through, don't do dumb things." Sage advice from a man who took meaning from all life's experiences and excelled in his chosen profession.
He led by example, put his troops first, and credits his success to the friendship and advice from his sergeants as well as senior officers. He spoke the truth, even when it was counter to the thinking of higher brass. While some saw him destined for a general's star, he shunned the Pentagon and other assignments usually required to reach a flag rank. He preferred to stay on jump status with his beloved Airborne.
A Dusty Boot Soldier Remembers is an easy read, not cluttered with a plethora of acronyms that plague many military histories and biographies. For the military reader, Redmond's memoir is a must for your library. The casual reader will also find it enjoyable, entertaining, and informative.
I give this book a lusty "Airborne All the Way, Sir!"
Reviewer: Joe Epley
A primer in leadership, duty, and determination
When I began to read A Dusty Boot Soldier Remembers, I quickly felt Colonel Larry Redmond was sitting beside me, relating in a verbal folksy manner the many stories of his amazing career as a Special Forces qualified Airborne Ranger infantry officer who never strayed far from a paratrooper's billet. These were not cold words on a page, but a warm, factual portrayal of a quarter of a century of challenging experiences.
Redmond’s memories provide an insider's view of Army history from 1962, when he got his gold bar as a second lieutenant, through his retirement as a colonel and senior planner for Central Command in 1986. In addition to two tours as a company commander with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam where he received the Purple Heart and Silver Star, he commanded a battalion in the 82nd Airborne and served as United Nations observer on the Golan Heights following the 1973 Israeli-Arab war. He also spent several years as a Green Beret in Panama. One of his more interesting assignments was testing the fledgling Detachment Delta to ensure its readiness to become operational as the Army's elite counter-terrorism force.
He explains how all of the assignments brought new understanding to the author's evolution as an extraordinary officer. Scattered throughout the narrative are "Redmond's Rules," some witty lessons learned that any soldier can benefit by following. These range from "Things get worse under pressure. Stay cool." to "Think it through, don't do dumb things." Sage advice from a man who took meaning from all life's experiences and excelled in his chosen profession.
He led by example, put his troops first, and credits his success to the friendship and advice from his sergeants as well as senior officers. He spoke the truth, even when it was counter to the thinking of higher brass. While some saw him destined for a general's star, he shunned the Pentagon and other assignments usually required to reach a flag rank. He preferred to stay on jump status with his beloved Airborne.
A Dusty Boot Soldier Remembers is an easy read, not cluttered with a plethora of acronyms that plague many military histories and biographies. For the military reader, Redmond's memoir is a must for your library. The casual reader will also find it enjoyable, entertaining, and informative.
I give this book a lusty "Airborne All the Way, Sir!"
Reviewer: Joe Epley
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews