Praying for Slack: A Marine Corps Tank Commander in Viet Nam

by Robert E. Peavey

Two different wars were fought in Vietnam, the jungle-and-booby-trap one down south, and the WWII-like one up on the DMZ. "I was one of a handful whose Vietnam tour was evenly split between the First and Third Marine Divisions, and saw, firsthand, the difference 170 miles could make during the war's bloodiest year." Corporal Robert Peavey was a tank commander in I Corps (Eye Corps) on the DMZ when LBJ ordered a bombing halt over the North. His compelling first-hand account chronicles operations just south of the 'Z, operations that most Vietnam War histories have completely ignored. Peavey offers detailed, understandable explanations of combat strategy, strengths and shortcomings of standard-issue armament, and inter-service rivalries.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published December 3, 2004

Reviews

[Manray9 · Rating 4 out of 5]

“What's the most dangerous thing in 'Nam? A second lieutenant with a map.” That's an old saw among soldiers everywhere in the modern era. Robert Peavey's war, as told in Praying for Slack: A Marine Corps Tank Commander in Vietnam, was fought by grunts led by NCOs. Too often the officers just got in the way. Peavey's book is a solid first-hand account of young Marine tankers in Vietnam during the bloody days of the late sixties. The narrative is honest, straight-forward, and pulls no punches. The author recounts the courage, endurance, and sacrifice of the young men of the USMC, while dealing well-deserved criticism to the American politicians flailing for a political solution and making unfortunate decisions which imperiled our forces in the field. Peavey extends his criticism to the young, ill-trained junior officers – many simply having their “ticket punched” with a six-month combat tour – who, imbued with the Marine tradition for aggressive action, too often foolishly endangered their men through poor judgment and inexperience. To the author, when the Marines succeeded it was despite the efforts of the higher leaders.

Praying for Slack: A Marine Corps Tank Commander in Vietnam contains gripping and highly-readable accounts of close combat with NVA regulars in the Eye Corps region of South Vietnam. Peavey shows the strengths and often surprising limitations of tank tactics and weapons in an unconventional war. For readers interested in an NCO's view of the war after Tet in '68, this is a good selection. It earned Four Stars from me.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The undeclared war in Vietnam was different for everyone who served there. It depended on your branch of service, when and where you were stationed, and your military assignment. Marine Corporal Peavey writes of his experiences in I Corps during 1968 This is a good telling of what life was like for a non-grunt. The story is written in such a way that I felt that I was sitting at the bar in a VFW or American legion post having a beer and swapping sea stories. It also reflects the principle that Marines take care of their own, dead or alive. Semper Fi.

[Roger D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a Saturday morning in an Atlanta suburb, I pulled into the parking lot of our local book store to see their latest historical fiction releases. A person, nearly my same age, followed me in. We both went to the same section of the store--military non fiction. The other person was Bob Peavey looking to see if his new book had finally made it to the book racks. He looked at me and said, "I'll be darn, my book! It is here! Finally!" He had a grin the best mortician in America could not fix.

We struck up a conversation. I introduced myself and stated that I too was a member of the Uncle Sam's Misled Children's Club (USMC) -- a Vietnam era USMC. I bought his book that day. We lived less than a mile away from one another. I would move away and never see Bob Peavey again.

I read his book with great interest as my job in the USMC was combat troop replacements out of Camp Smith Hawaii. I had nothing to do with Tankers as I replaced those 0311 infantry types being rotated out, the missing, the wounded, or the KIA grunts.

First, how can one find humor in such an assignment as a tank commander? The author does a great job of breaking the ice of the horrors of war with several comical moments. The DMZ, as you will read, is a very lonely assignment. He lays into the US Army pretty good as the Marines and Army have never had any sort of love affair with one another.

My favorite part is the ice cream scene! Enjoy! This is a quick read with the details of everyday life and death experiences as a tanker at the DMZ.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a personal account of tank operations along the DMZ during the Vietnam War. It's interesting just for that, as it's traditional to think of the war as being fought on foot after being dropped off from a helicopter, and its more conventional parts rarely get mentioned. But this would be a quality read even if it wasn't for that. If you read about tanks, about Vietnam, or just personal war accounts generally, you will like this.

[Eden A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, raw and a good read

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I read it in two days. It's been a long time since I've read a book this quickly. The narrative allows you to just keep turning page after page. It'd been 10 years since I'd read a book about Vietnam. I'm glad that I chose this one to get myself back into the subject. Reading from a tankers Point of view is definitely a unique experience. I'd recommend this to anybody.

[Steven Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

While is not the most in-depth or intellectual book you will read on the Vietnam war, it is one of the more brutally honest. A great introduction for high school level readers.