Crazy Asian War

by Dave Smilie

Dave Martin served seventeen months in Vietnam as a Marine infantryman (grunt). He was involved in sixteen major operations along with the dozens of smaller firefights and skirmishes. He participated in Operation Buffalo and the Siege of Con Thien. He served in Bravo Co. 1/9, India Co. 3/3, and India, Kilo, Lima, Mike Co. 3/9 as a forward observer from July 1966 to November 1967. He’s never forgotten the courage, sacrifice and brotherhood he witnessed by the Marine Grunts he served with. Most of his tour in Vietnam was with the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. He feels fortunate and proud to have served with them.

262 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2008

Reviews

[Frank]

Possibly the best book I've read on the Viet Nam fiasco. Written by Dave Martin, who signs off only as "Smilie", its one Marine Corps grunt's account of his tour of duty as an artillery forward observer. it's told in interesting vignettes of the day to day activity of his unit, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines in the Danang area in '67. According to liner notes, he wrote it as a carharsis and on the advice of several shrinks he consulted with. It was his way of finally letting it go. It took him about 40 years to finish the book. Coincidentally, I was surprised to find he was in the same unit that I was, not only the regimental battalion, but also the same company, L Co. Fortunately
I was there in '65, and what I went through was a picnic compared to his experiences. If you like this subject, it's a book you'll never forget.

[Tess Martin]

Such a great book. I had limited knowledge about the Vietnam War prior to reading, but this first-hand account kept me engaged and interested the entire time.