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Wolfhounds Vietnam Alumni: A young man’s trip to War and the Journey back
Life is sometimes reduced to a few choices. This autobiography is about a young American who decides to serve his country and ends up going to war. Being drafted or joining the military offered one a good chance to see Vietnam up close and personal, but becoming an officer offered an even better chance.
The years of 1965, 1966, 1967, were dangerous years for young American men between the ages of 18 and 24. In 1966, the draft was expanded in some of the areas of the country to intakes twice a month. The policy was used mainly in the larger metropolitan areas of the country. Since I was already in the Army by then, it didn’t affect me. By 1968 our involvement in Vietnam would reach 520,000 soldiers. I was 18 in 1966, single, not going to college and healthy. I was grist for the military mill. I was one of thousands of young men in the work force right after high school in the mid 1960’s.
The war in Viet Nam ended up causing over 400,000 casualties (dead and wounded). There were nearly 3 million men and women who served in Viet Nam, and 7 million total in the military during the era. I served as what was affectionately called a ground pounder, aka an infantryman, military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B. After graduating from OCS my MOS became a 1542 Small Infantry Unit Commander, later changed to 11A. That MOS put me in line to become a casualty.
This book gives you a look at my life growing up in Michigan, and what my life was like after being wounded and returning home from Vietnam.
The years of 1965, 1966, 1967, were dangerous years for young American men between the ages of 18 and 24. In 1966, the draft was expanded in some of the areas of the country to intakes twice a month. The policy was used mainly in the larger metropolitan areas of the country. Since I was already in the Army by then, it didn’t affect me. By 1968 our involvement in Vietnam would reach 520,000 soldiers. I was 18 in 1966, single, not going to college and healthy. I was grist for the military mill. I was one of thousands of young men in the work force right after high school in the mid 1960’s.
The war in Viet Nam ended up causing over 400,000 casualties (dead and wounded). There were nearly 3 million men and women who served in Viet Nam, and 7 million total in the military during the era. I served as what was affectionately called a ground pounder, aka an infantryman, military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B. After graduating from OCS my MOS became a 1542 Small Infantry Unit Commander, later changed to 11A. That MOS put me in line to become a casualty.
This book gives you a look at my life growing up in Michigan, and what my life was like after being wounded and returning home from Vietnam.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 17, 2023
Huber's book is remarkable because, while it predictably covers his early life and his service in Vietnam (where he was shot in the neck and shoulder in what in a man of lesser spirit might well have been a fatal injury), he goes on to tell about the remainder of his long life as a teacher in the same detail that he has described his events in Vietnam. Many vets, but not all, give a sketch of their lives after Vietnam, but this is the first that I have read who has offered a balanced and complete autobiography, in this case also documenting his return visit to the areas he served in during the war, with a subsequent "welcome home" that was long and long-overdue, bringing this unflappable and steady man to tears.
Throughout the whole of his life, Huber is able to notice and modulate his angry responses to military and civilian "chicken shit" so that he is always able rise above the situation and often able to turn it to inner humor and his long term advantage. Not without significance is his constantly mentioned "I discussed it with Marilyn" about any major and many minor decisions, thereby affirming and extending that primary relationship.
Huber's account is a long and honest one -- one I find I miss now that I have finished his book.
Throughout the whole of his life, Huber is able to notice and modulate his angry responses to military and civilian "chicken shit" so that he is always able rise above the situation and often able to turn it to inner humor and his long term advantage. Not without significance is his constantly mentioned "I discussed it with Marilyn" about any major and many minor decisions, thereby affirming and extending that primary relationship.
Huber's account is a long and honest one -- one I find I miss now that I have finished his book.
December 2, 2023
Not much of a story. Half was after zVN and a large part was pre/VN. Disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews