On Point - A Rifleman's Year in the Boonies: Vietnam 1967-1968

by Roger S. Hayes

In a vivid, often moving chronicle of war, a Vietnam veteran recalls the year he spent "in-country" from 1967 to 1968, during the war's most memorable and decisive year.

Genres: War, Military Fiction

249 pages, Hardcover

First published April 11, 2000

Reviews

[Mountain343 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not a bad book, it's just that the author probably waited too long to write it after the war was over. What you get is a very good primer on the Vietnam war from the perspective of an infantryman. You learn what they carried, how they did things, and you also get some interesting stories of camaraderie and what they experienced. You never really feel what the author experienced though. Whether it's entering the tunnels, or being in a firefight, you are given basic elements of who/what/where, but never much more. I should also mention that for many of the biggest fights, his unit was either a blocking element and not involved, or he was wounded early and missed much, or not many words are written about them.

If you've never read a book on this topic, it's a great way to learn the terminology and basic elements. From what a listening post is, to how a perimeter is set up, this book is great. There's just something missing, and you see it in how detailed and emotional his letters home are, compared to his writing on the topic now.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A learning experience for me. Life as a grunt in Vietnam is much different from my personal experience in service 2 years later in Europe. Enjoyed sharing Roger’s experiences through his concise, descriptive writing (better than being there...)

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent account of the authors time in Vietnam.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because it is mostly devoid of the politics and lessons of Vietnam and focuses on the one year deployment of a young conscripted combat soldier. This is truly the story of a lowly grunt who performed his tasks to the best of his abilities and provides great insight into the war from the ground level where much of the politics and reasons for the war was not understood. He knew was that he cared for himself and the guys in his unit.

As the author vividly explains the differet situations he experienced, whether it be on a LP or kicking back with his squad at basecamp, I can't help but wonder how I would perform in the same circumstances he was in. The author states, "I have concluded that people as young as we were, between the ages of nineteen and twenty-five, make the best soldiers for the same reason they make the worst drivers: They have not yet realized their own mortality. People of that age do not know how easily death can occr. As, a result, they take chances and willingly perform numerous dangerous tasks. I was no different." I am within this age group and can definitely understand his mindset.

This book was enjoyable because the reader watches Roger quickly mature from a teenager to a young man with significant responsibilities as a squad leader. He uses his common sense, observational skills, and experience to come back home. I think the most important parts of this book are not when and where battles were fought but the emotions and human interest fascents of his story, whether it be the fears of combat at night, the friendships he made with Vietnamese people, the surreal feeling the night before he left for Vietnam, or the conflicting feeling he experienced when he left for home. The most important thing that I took away from this book was essentially, don't sweat the small stuff. Fortunately, Roger was pushed to his limit and he was able to grow and learn from his experiences in Vietnam which have helped him become a better man and appreciate the important things in life.

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, I really enjoyed On Point by Roger Hayes, as it proved to be quite an excited and easily understandable look into what one soldiers life was like during the Vietnam war.
[This is not the final review:]

[Curtis Dean Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was only 249 pages.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple testimony of one mans service during a year in Vietnam.