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By Duty Bound: Survival and Redemption in Vietnam
Raised in Mississippi, Ezell Ware was determined to excel. Having grown up without running water, electricity, or sufficient food, he wasn't daunted by the hardships of military life. Eventually he earned a chance to join the Army's helicopter pilot program, realizing his dream of flying. It was a role that would change his life, and the life of an unlikely brother in valor at the height of the Vietnam War.
Downed by enemy fire, Ware and his badly injured captain endured a three-week trek through hell. But when his captain revealed his membership in the Ku Klux Klan, the situation took a turn that surprised them both-and sent Ezell on the road to becoming a general. A unique memoir of heroism and humanity, By Duty Bound captures a crucial chapter in American history-through the eyes of one of its most remarkable witnesses.
Downed by enemy fire, Ware and his badly injured captain endured a three-week trek through hell. But when his captain revealed his membership in the Ku Klux Klan, the situation took a turn that surprised them both-and sent Ezell on the road to becoming a general. A unique memoir of heroism and humanity, By Duty Bound captures a crucial chapter in American history-through the eyes of one of its most remarkable witnesses.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 26, 2024
Not my usual read, but really interesting nonetheless! Everything I learn about the Vietnam War only adds to my horror...I have not a fraction of the bravery and courage that those people did. I doubt I could make it through basic training. Veterans deserve the world.
The juxtaposition of growing up Black and dirt poor in rural Mississippi with surviving the Vietnam jungle while wounded was executed really well. The hardship of each condition paralleled each other in surprising ways. I would definitely recommend this book even to those who don't enjoy military history; it was unexpectedly captivating. The author is an extremely inspiring person!!
The juxtaposition of growing up Black and dirt poor in rural Mississippi with surviving the Vietnam jungle while wounded was executed really well. The hardship of each condition paralleled each other in surprising ways. I would definitely recommend this book even to those who don't enjoy military history; it was unexpectedly captivating. The author is an extremely inspiring person!!
November 18, 2010
I gently wipe away the tears escaping from the corners of my eyes as, immersed in thought, I carefully put down this powerfully written autobiography about a man who summoned the inherent power within himself to achieve his highest dreams and in doing so served his country for a lifetime with honor and dignity and courage. I began this read, discovered as so many great books are, on the history clearance section of my local Half Price Books, with a measure of skepticism. “Race Made Them Enemies. War Made Them Brothers” The front cover of By Duty Bound Survival and Redemption in Vietnam claims. I usually steer away from stories that make race more important than the people involved. Languishing in my book basket for more than a year, I finally turned the page and was immediately drawn in by the intriguing personality of the Brigadier General Ezell Ware, Junior. Co-author Joel Engel helps capture the cadence and clarity of the General. As the pages fly past me, I am transported to historic places and times that I should’ve known about but never did, until now, until recent years as I’ve purposely studied the service and sacrifices of America’s Armed Forces. I absorb every word, every experience. And I am grateful.
In By Duty Bound I contemplate battles fought on many fronts, the ways of the South in the civil rights era, the Vietnam War, the author’s constant striving for equal footing and recognition along a seemingly unachievable military career pathway. In my own time and place, in my mostly colorblind world of relative peace and prosperity, these are important revelations, insights into understanding some of the social wars fought within America. The author himself is not about race, he transcends it. He is more about achievement. He dislikes political correctness. He proves himself not by quotas, or by affirmative actions, or by arguments, but by sheer force of character. He earns the respect of others through the persistent velocity of his excellence, his effort and his God-given attributes, well utilized. General Ware quotes Churchill and I believe this is very fitting:
“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing great or small, large or petty---never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense.”
Within the memories and philosophies of Brigadier General Ezell Ware, Junior expressed there are many lessons and much inspiration, for me this passage especially stands out:
“Just in the act of praying I feel stronger. It seems obvious to me that God hasn’t kept me alive for thirty years to die here, like this. For that matter, we haven’t survived all these days for no reason. I believe there’s something larger than what I can see or touch or comprehend and I believe what Ma told me long ago---that God never gives you more to bear than you can stand, never puts you in a position that you can’t handle. For a moment I’m tempted to say, Well, alright God, this is how much I can handle. I’m at my limit.
I don’t but it gets me thinking about the other thing I believe about God and the universe---that when your time comes, nothing can save you. Either that bullet has your name on it, or it doesn’t. Either that helicopter arrives when you most need it to, or it doesn’t. Now, of course, you’re obliged to do everything you can to stay out of the way of that bullet, and everything possible to get yourself in a position where the helicopter can find you. Everything.
Everything and more.
Because as long as you’re alive, there’s something else you can do. Not until you’re dead, or you give up, is it out of your hands. Being dead---that’s how you know it’s out of your hands. That’s how you know your time has come. But not before then.
Not one moment before.”
I thank Brigadier General Ezell Ware, Junior, (CA, Ret.) who is now a fellow Texan, for his service to America, for his commitment to personal excellence, and for sharing the story of his dream that others may know of the historically valuable journey of his lifetime.
In By Duty Bound I contemplate battles fought on many fronts, the ways of the South in the civil rights era, the Vietnam War, the author’s constant striving for equal footing and recognition along a seemingly unachievable military career pathway. In my own time and place, in my mostly colorblind world of relative peace and prosperity, these are important revelations, insights into understanding some of the social wars fought within America. The author himself is not about race, he transcends it. He is more about achievement. He dislikes political correctness. He proves himself not by quotas, or by affirmative actions, or by arguments, but by sheer force of character. He earns the respect of others through the persistent velocity of his excellence, his effort and his God-given attributes, well utilized. General Ware quotes Churchill and I believe this is very fitting:
“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing great or small, large or petty---never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense.”
Within the memories and philosophies of Brigadier General Ezell Ware, Junior expressed there are many lessons and much inspiration, for me this passage especially stands out:
“Just in the act of praying I feel stronger. It seems obvious to me that God hasn’t kept me alive for thirty years to die here, like this. For that matter, we haven’t survived all these days for no reason. I believe there’s something larger than what I can see or touch or comprehend and I believe what Ma told me long ago---that God never gives you more to bear than you can stand, never puts you in a position that you can’t handle. For a moment I’m tempted to say, Well, alright God, this is how much I can handle. I’m at my limit.
I don’t but it gets me thinking about the other thing I believe about God and the universe---that when your time comes, nothing can save you. Either that bullet has your name on it, or it doesn’t. Either that helicopter arrives when you most need it to, or it doesn’t. Now, of course, you’re obliged to do everything you can to stay out of the way of that bullet, and everything possible to get yourself in a position where the helicopter can find you. Everything.
Everything and more.
Because as long as you’re alive, there’s something else you can do. Not until you’re dead, or you give up, is it out of your hands. Being dead---that’s how you know it’s out of your hands. That’s how you know your time has come. But not before then.
Not one moment before.”
I thank Brigadier General Ezell Ware, Junior, (CA, Ret.) who is now a fellow Texan, for his service to America, for his commitment to personal excellence, and for sharing the story of his dream that others may know of the historically valuable journey of his lifetime.
November 19, 2012
Really good book! well written, but wish I could have had the opportunity to meet Mr. Ware. He sounds like an amazing man to talk to.
October 1, 2023
Publishers Weekly
A self-proclaimed military "lifer" and one of the few black pilots with the army's 61st Helicopter Assault Company, retired California National Guard General Ware Jr. has an intriguing story to tell, and with journalist Engel he has produced a mostly compelling autobiography.
Well-observed accounts of growing up poor and black in 1950s rural Mississippi and of Ware's eventful, combat-heavy first tour in Vietnam are matched by a stirring recounting of the three weeks Ware and another army helicopter pilot spent evading the enemy in the jungles after being shot down.
Chronological chapters alternate with short, first-person interludes sketching those hellish weeks Ware spent avoiding the enemy and nearly starving to death. Adding to the drama: Ware discovered that his fellow pilot, who suffered a severe leg wound in the helicopter crash--was a card-carrying member of the Ku Klux Klan.
Less revealing and less interesting are Ware's by-the-numbers chapters on his army training, including flight school, further hindered by poorly reconstructed dialogue.
Also in the minus category is Ware's political analysis; if the United States hadn't intervened in Vietnam "the imperial communist powers" would "have continued to grab countries." But anyone with a taste for life behind the lines will want this book.
A self-proclaimed military "lifer" and one of the few black pilots with the army's 61st Helicopter Assault Company, retired California National Guard General Ware Jr. has an intriguing story to tell, and with journalist Engel he has produced a mostly compelling autobiography.
Well-observed accounts of growing up poor and black in 1950s rural Mississippi and of Ware's eventful, combat-heavy first tour in Vietnam are matched by a stirring recounting of the three weeks Ware and another army helicopter pilot spent evading the enemy in the jungles after being shot down.
Chronological chapters alternate with short, first-person interludes sketching those hellish weeks Ware spent avoiding the enemy and nearly starving to death. Adding to the drama: Ware discovered that his fellow pilot, who suffered a severe leg wound in the helicopter crash--was a card-carrying member of the Ku Klux Klan.
Less revealing and less interesting are Ware's by-the-numbers chapters on his army training, including flight school, further hindered by poorly reconstructed dialogue.
Also in the minus category is Ware's political analysis; if the United States hadn't intervened in Vietnam "the imperial communist powers" would "have continued to grab countries." But anyone with a taste for life behind the lines will want this book.
July 19, 2021
Wow!!! What a great book. I couldn't put it down and went through it too fast. Ironically, it fit right into the book I finished before, about the race and political problems our minorities, especially blacks facd in the WWII to Vietnam wars.
June 30, 2020
Hard to start but even harder to finish. This book still rings true today.
February 8, 2017
I inhaled this book! It's been on my shelf awhile and I grabbed it the other day. Because I work with a lot of veterans and I have had some special veterans in my family, I read a lot about military experiences. I want to understand their unique war experiences and every war has it's own challenges.
Reasons to read this book:
1. The author's unique mindset that allowed him to succeed and excel in the military despite racism. Part of that is probably his raising and part is his particular ability to focus on the prize and detach. We could all learn from this as we pursue our dreams while working with difficult people who may not appreciate our talents or personalities; and
2. This book is a mix of the historical period, including the politics of the times, the author's opinions and his unique experiences. I see now how I harmed my brother and others by marching against the war. That was never my intent. I hope my brother knew that.
Reasons to read this book:
1. The author's unique mindset that allowed him to succeed and excel in the military despite racism. Part of that is probably his raising and part is his particular ability to focus on the prize and detach. We could all learn from this as we pursue our dreams while working with difficult people who may not appreciate our talents or personalities; and
2. This book is a mix of the historical period, including the politics of the times, the author's opinions and his unique experiences. I see now how I harmed my brother and others by marching against the war. That was never my intent. I hope my brother knew that.
December 10, 2011
It wasn't that this book was badly written, in fact in terms of artifice it was more carefully organised in a novelistic fashion than the vast majority of non-fiction books that I have read. General Ware is, quite obviously, an exceptionally private man with almost unbelievable self-control. Unfortunately, this book tends to obscure much more than it reveals, and even at the end I did not have any more insight into his character than I did after the first couple of pages. In addition, the book seems as though it was aimed primarily at an audience of teenagers/young adults rather than an adult readership. If I had to guess, I would suspect that General Ware and/or his co-author intended this book as "inspirational" reading for "troubled youth", or something along those lines.
May 5, 2013
Rather dull.As a Helicopter pilot, during the Vietnam War, he was shot down with his co pilot-who was a racist, as well as shot- and had to survive a number of days in the jungle. The reason I find this book dull is because all it focuses on is this one experience and then how he had to deal with racism his whole life. What I did find a bit interesting is that since dealing with racist white people his whole life, he overcame all that and helped out the injured co-pilot who also happened to be a Klansman.
I don't recommend reading this is if you bore easy or looking for some intense stories about Vietnam War combat.
I don't recommend reading this is if you bore easy or looking for some intense stories about Vietnam War combat.
January 15, 2011
An amazing book that interweaves Ezell Ware's survival as a black man growing up in the segregated South and rising through the ranks of the military with how he survived in the jungles of Vietnam after being shot down, with a former KKK member as his wounded captain.
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March 4, 2011I like the way it was written.
December 12, 2022
Outstanding story of courage and determination!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews