Diary of an Airborne Ranger: A LRRP's Year in the Combat Zone

by Frank Johnson

Perhaps the most accurate story of LRRPs at war
ever to appear in print!

When Frank Johnson arrived in Vietnam in 1969, he was nineteen, a young soldier untested in combat like thousands of others--but with two important Johnson volunteered for the elite L Company Rangers of the 101st Airborne Division, a long range reconnaissance patrol (LRRP) unit, and he kept a secret diary, a practice forbidden by the military to protect the security of LRRP operations.

Now, more than three decades later, those hastily written pages offer a rare look at the daily operations of one of the most courageous units that waged war in Vietnam. Johnson served in I Corps, in northern Vietnam, where combat was furious and the events he recounts emerge, stark and walking point in the A Shau Valley, braving enemy fire to rescue a downed comrade, surviving days and nights of relentless tension that suddenly exploded in the blinding fury of an NVA attack.

Undimmed and unmuddied by the passing of years, Johnson's account is unique in the annals of Vietnam literature. Moreover, it is a timeless testimony to the sacrifice and heroism of the LRRPs who dared to risk it all.

Genres: Military Fiction, History, War

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 27, 2001

About the author

Librarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1969, after the Tet Offensive, and the coming of "Vietnamization", American Tactical Activity changed, both in official doctrine, and in unofficial attitude. Frank Johnson, a young Ranger in the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol unit, on the cutting edge of Daily Patrolling. Against all rules and common sense, he kept a diary of his years tour, ending in September 1970. He documents with all the intensity of constant combat and the energy of a young man how the LRRPs were being moved from their true role of finding the enemy for larger units to do the actual engagements to a role of carrying out some of the main combat activity for the division-unaided by larger units with more firepower. Four to 15 man teams, with only M-16s , LAWS and Grenades were being asked to engage more and more often. At the same time, the professionalism of the force was being worn down by the constant pace of operations and the morale decay 0f fighting a now unpopular at home war leaking in, even to such an elite unit.

Frank was a young and gung-ho Ranger, so riding along as he joins the unit and then trains up for the job is very compelling. The pace of operations is pretty intense, with a lot of missing or terse entries. Then as the adversities mount, and we see some childish interactions with the command structure, one wishes for a more reliable narrator's intervention. Johnson admits he's not a saint, and you come to understand the intensity of the life in the base, the jungle, the village, and the Vacation/R&R locales. Paying attention to the the throwaway lines, and the background characters really pays off to get a better understanding of what's going on between the lines and pages...

This is an intense book about combat, which, although written by a teenager, contains some very adult themes and some very frank injury discussions, so best left for the Junior reader over about 14. For the Gamer/Modeller/Military Enthusiast- this is a rich vein of content. Plenty of pages that can be turned into Bolt Action/'Nam-FOW/Battlegroup Modern/Red Storm Rising scenarios or strong dioramas. Taut small action maneuvre and tactics are discussed often. The Enthusiast will get access to a lot of doctrine/protocol/best practices of the Special Forces Combat in Vietnam- at a particularly interesting time in the war. A good addition to the Vietnam library- but not required reading...

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in a language that I understand but have not heard in many years, this diary clearly shows the thoughts of a warrior. Especially valuable is the afterward which is a critique of how LRPP's were misused during Vietnam.

[Mike Wigal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only 18, 19 and 20 year old kids can do this stuff. Thirty year olds would say screw it. Fast read, but captivating.

[Kevin Findley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A day by day journal of one young soldier's time in Vietnam. It was interesting to read in part because of all the stories and descriptions I have had to privilege to hear from other veterans over the years. Each vet's story is unique, but some of the terms used and Johnson's complaints about several of his NCOs and Officers made me laugh and grimace due to the closeness of those experiences to other vets and a few of my own.

This is a must read for veterans and anyone else that has an interest in Vietnam and the military in general.

Find it. Buy it. Read it!

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I knew a lot about the Vietnam War. This book, which is a first hand account, diary from a 19- year old Ranger had me in a bit of shock.
1). The military used these LRRP teams in the later years as disposable cannon fodder.
2). These Ranger teams were amazing. If the strategists knew how to harness the American fighting spirit appropriately, things may have been different
3). The carnage and combat action these Rangers experienced as depicted in this book is far greater than I had envisioned or read in other veteran accounts

[Edward W. O'Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great first hand account of the day to day experience of a skilled war fighter.

A first hand account of actions as a LRRP including a very realistic review of the frustrations that frontline troops go through with detached commanders who are just there to check a box and move on in their career.

[Heather Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! I couldn't put it down. I loved how it was written, uncensored! It made me laugh, and had parts I almost cried. It made me have an even greater respect for people who served in Vietnam. This is a MUST READ book for any LRRP/LRRS!

[Bryan O’Barr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and fast read. The dilemma of a growing man in a combat zone plus the outside knowledge by the reader of the tension on the home front regarding the Vietnam war. Sometimes the best advice is sought through those who experience it firsthand.

[Pamela Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When reading this book, one cannot forget that these acts of bravery and sacrifice were committed by 18 year old boys.

[Nicole Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible dairy of a soldiers experience in Vietnam. I think everybody should read this. It will give you insight, understanding, and a respect for the rangers who fought in Vietnam.

[Kolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diary of an Airborne Ranger was a very inspiring and motivational book for me. It took me into the book, and I felt like I was living the everyday challenges and experiences told throughout this novel.The author really explained his life in the war so well, that there were times during my reading that I forgot I was sitting on my bed in my room and not in Vietnam. This is a very powerful and moving book that really gave a true insight as to what went on during the Vietnam war. I would definitely recommend this book to all my classmates. even if they aren't interested in to war novels like i am, this was still an excellent book that I think a lot of people would enjoy. I really wish there would be sequel to this book because i really liked it, but the author has written other war novels similar to this one, and i plan on reading them as well. Overall, this was an excellent book, one of my favorites, and I would a absolutely recommend this book to just about anyone.

[Susheel John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is literally a compilation of a LRRP's activities during the Vietnam war. It offers authentic insight into a soldier's life at the time. A real "view from the trenches" type of book. It is, of course, very American as is seen from how the Vietnamese are referred to. One thing to note is that this was written by a soldier who wanted to be in combat. Of course, as diary entries go, there is quite a bit of repetition but that's also what makes it All the more authentic.

[Josh Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book was really good. It showed you some of the things a US Army Airborne Ranger went through during the Vietnam War. It shared his thoughts on what was going on during the war. He also wrote about how the guys in his patrol unit became like family.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best!!

[Glenette · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting account of the author's tour in Vietnam as a Ranger.

[Frank Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand this book was written from a diary but I found myself wanting to read the rest of the story. Good book just needed the rest of the story.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

The age of the author is unmistakably young, which gives this its charm for sure.

[Tom Hornback · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bad-ass diary style account from a guy that got into it! A must read for war guys!

[Nicholas Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is a very good read i enjoyed reading it.

[Keith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Needs more background to the diary. I threw it away one-third into it.