What do you think?
Rate this book
Death in the A Shau Valley: L Company LRRPs in Vietnam, 1969-1970
“The enemy had a single kill me and my teammates.”
Larry Chambers was still new to Vietnam in early 1969 when the LRRPs of the 101st Airborne Division became L Company, 75th (Rangers). But his unit’s mission stayed the act as the eyes and ears of the 101st deep in the dreaded A Shau Valley—where the NVA ruled.
Relentless thick fog frequently made fighter bombers useless in the A Shau, and the enemy had furnished the nearby mountaintops with antiaircraft machine guns to protect the massive trail network that snaked through it. So, outgunned, outmanned, and unsupported, the teams of L Company executed hundreds of courageous missions. Now, in this powerful personal record, Larry Chambers recaptures the experience of the war’s most brutal on-the-job training, where the slightest noise or smallest error could bring sudden—and certain—death. . . .
Larry Chambers was still new to Vietnam in early 1969 when the LRRPs of the 101st Airborne Division became L Company, 75th (Rangers). But his unit’s mission stayed the act as the eyes and ears of the 101st deep in the dreaded A Shau Valley—where the NVA ruled.
Relentless thick fog frequently made fighter bombers useless in the A Shau, and the enemy had furnished the nearby mountaintops with antiaircraft machine guns to protect the massive trail network that snaked through it. So, outgunned, outmanned, and unsupported, the teams of L Company executed hundreds of courageous missions. Now, in this powerful personal record, Larry Chambers recaptures the experience of the war’s most brutal on-the-job training, where the slightest noise or smallest error could bring sudden—and certain—death. . . .
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 7, 2025
I found this book about the Vietnam War very interesting. I've read dozens of books about the war and find each has something new to bring to light. Larry Chambers clearly knows what he writes about in this book and shares details of equipment, operational and tactical strategy and what life was like for US soldiers in the field in Vietnam. The most riveting parts of the book describe, in significant detail, the many firefights he and his fellow Rangers engage in. with the enemy Equally interesting are the stories of the antics he and his combat buddies get into when not in the field. The paperback version that I read is about 175 pages and index/ glossary to fill out to 240 pages
September 28, 2025
This book starts out very good with lots of first person action being described. The last several chapters, however seem to be the authors re-telling of experiences of other LRRPs as described to him which is why I rate this book a 3. Also, there are 67 pages of Appendixes and glossary.
October 23, 2019
Eye opening
This book is eye opening. It gives a much better understanding of what the LRRP’s did for our country, for their Brothers.
This book is eye opening. It gives a much better understanding of what the LRRP’s did for our country, for their Brothers.
March 5, 2020
This is a great story of the struggle for this valley and the eventual senseless battle of hamburger hill
January 23, 2026
Could have used more maps and the information in the appendixes interspersed where applicable.
May 12, 2015
An epic account of what could be called latter day “Robert Rogers of Rogers Rangers” set across the vast jungle terrain of Vietnam. I truly enjoyed this book and one in which (again) any student of Military History should read to better comprehend the madness that the “Expendable Generation” had gone through – no “thanks” on the back end when they returned and many young men went off to their deaths while loved ones back home were then forced to face the grief of the loss.
How Mr. Chambers survived this war and events is statistically an outlier in my view. His devotion to his LRP members, the struggles they all went through and to greater extent I can only imagine the nightmares they face today – long after the war was pulled to a hasty conclusion.
It is sincerely obvious to me that the few reflections that Mr. Chambers shares with us readers on his own family back in the USA is an attempt to better understand he also knew he had a higher purpose awaiting him years later. These “years later” events aren’t captured to specificity within these pages; however, the reflections show much he loved where he came from and to whom he belonged. I was especially touched early on when Mr. Chambers discussed his own Father – how he wished he had more time to simply “talk” with him. This in my view added to his courage and ensured his inconceivable survival in this jungle rotted hell that he had gone through – and many other like him who also survived; some, as we know never made it back. The poignant description of how bodies left the Republic of Vietnam for the return flight home to the USA is provided honorably and sadly on page 167.
My heart went into my stomach as I read of the Ellis Radio Relay Team – I had the same effect when a young soldier by the last name of Lytle drowned – all of these men were someone’s son, brother, father, uncle etc.
To all the Vietnam Veterans I wish to express my sincere thanks for your honorable service, your efforts were noticed by me as a young boy growing up – I came to know many before I myself had even enlisted in the USMC. You trained me well – and taught me as well how to “survive” in the midst of political madness and indecisiveness.
This book should be mandatory reading for all U.S. Army Rangers and all U.S. Marines. It also dovetails to the history of “Rogers Rangers”.
Semper Fidelis,
Gerry
How Mr. Chambers survived this war and events is statistically an outlier in my view. His devotion to his LRP members, the struggles they all went through and to greater extent I can only imagine the nightmares they face today – long after the war was pulled to a hasty conclusion.
It is sincerely obvious to me that the few reflections that Mr. Chambers shares with us readers on his own family back in the USA is an attempt to better understand he also knew he had a higher purpose awaiting him years later. These “years later” events aren’t captured to specificity within these pages; however, the reflections show much he loved where he came from and to whom he belonged. I was especially touched early on when Mr. Chambers discussed his own Father – how he wished he had more time to simply “talk” with him. This in my view added to his courage and ensured his inconceivable survival in this jungle rotted hell that he had gone through – and many other like him who also survived; some, as we know never made it back. The poignant description of how bodies left the Republic of Vietnam for the return flight home to the USA is provided honorably and sadly on page 167.
My heart went into my stomach as I read of the Ellis Radio Relay Team – I had the same effect when a young soldier by the last name of Lytle drowned – all of these men were someone’s son, brother, father, uncle etc.
To all the Vietnam Veterans I wish to express my sincere thanks for your honorable service, your efforts were noticed by me as a young boy growing up – I came to know many before I myself had even enlisted in the USMC. You trained me well – and taught me as well how to “survive” in the midst of political madness and indecisiveness.
This book should be mandatory reading for all U.S. Army Rangers and all U.S. Marines. It also dovetails to the history of “Rogers Rangers”.
Semper Fidelis,
Gerry
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews