Review (PDF)

A Graveyard Called Two Bits: How To Succeed At War Without Really Dying

DESCRIPTION: Vietnam War Memoir [Ages 13 through Adult]“I know you’re the great humanitarian, Doc,” said the Lieutenant, “but we can’t stop the war for one little girl!”South Vietnam, 1966-1967: In the killingest unit (1/9th Cav) of the killingest division (1st Air Cavalry Division) during the deadliest year (1967) of the entire Vietnam War, a scrawny 19-year-old Medic fought his own battle. In a unit where the Medics suffered 94 percent casualties (half of them KIA), he left his M-16 behind to carry extra aid gear. When other Medics carried weapons and even killed prisoners, Doc Smith treated wounded children and villagers—and even cared for captured VC and NVA enemy troops. At times ridiculed, his actions were instrumental in saving numerous U.S. lives. A wounded 20-year-veteran NVA squad leader, touched by the care he received, repaid it with critical information on massed-troop movements. This memoir of the Vietnam War uses vivid accounts of combat, tempered by the humor of Army life, and supplemented by 36 actual letters home, to tell the story of one man’s odyssey. The Enemy: “You know, those VC beat us in their pajamas.” LZ Two Bits: “Sleeping in a graveyard every night was nothing when your days were a waking nightmare.” The M-14 rifle: “Old tech, old tool, old school—in essence the M-14 was an M-1 with a bad facelift, a botched job that even in the dim light of a jungle trail showed its age.” This is what war is really like—without the Hollywood hype, government spin, and media bias. This account also includes reflections 30 years later, when the former Medic returned to Vietnam on assignment in 1995 as a photojournalist with an international relief organization.ABOUT THE AUTHORFrom 1966-67, Brad L. Smith served in South Vietnam as an unarmed Combat Medic with a recon troop of the 1st Air Cav. He was shot through the forearm in an ambush while carrying out a severely wounded sergeant and awarded the Purple Heart, Air Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and Combat Medic Badge. He was also reportedly awarded the Bronze Star Medal—though it failed to appear in his official record. His unit was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation and the Presidential Unit Citation. During his five months in combat, he made 110 helicopter assaults and engaged in 13 firefights (six times the average of a typical 12-month combat tour). Today, he is classified as a Disabled Veteran.In one such action, Smith witnessed two U.S. M-48 tanks destroyed by Russian, shoulder-mounted, RPG-7 rockets with the loss of eight soldiers. Another U.S. tank fired its 90mm cannon just feet over his head while he was in a shell hole avoiding a sniperAuthor BLSmith has an MA degree with honor in Journalism and 40 years of experience as a professional writer. He has been a journalist/photographer in Sudan, Uganda, Venezuela, Ecuador, Southern Mexico, and Vietnam (1995). He is the playwright of the award-winning, one-man play/film The Man from Aldersgate, which has been performed live 1,500 times in all 50 states and 32 countries. In 1989, it received the Silver Angel Award for Best New Video of the Year. Check out his Kindle novel, Track of the Panzer, set in World War II and based on the true story of a sixteen-year-old German soldier on the Russian front. And look for Bought and Soldier, the Civil War-leg of Smith’s war trilogy, also available through .com.

File Size: 9342 KB

Print Length: 240 pages

Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited

Publisher: The Wordsmith Shop; 1 edition (April 1, 2014)

Publication Date: April 1, 2014

Sold by:  Digital Services LLC

Language: English

ASIN: B00JESNY52

Text-to-Speech: Enabled

X-Ray: Not Enabled

Word Wise: Enabled

Lending: Not Enabled

Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #13,122 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store) #6 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > History > Americas > United States > Military History > Veterans #6 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > History > Military > Vietnam War #7 in Books > History > Military > United States > Vietnam War

I served beside Doc Brad Smith in Vietnam. His story vividly walked me through that misadventure one more time. The book reflects the man I knew - brave, understated, humble, humane, an angel of mercy who tended to all soldiers and hated no one. This well-written work shares with us Doc Smith's reflections on war and describes many of the events during his dangerous tours with the 9th Cavalry (94 percent casualty rate for medics in 1967). It also superbly describes the men and the missions of Charlie Troop Blues. It's a special book. You will like it."Mark"

I was recently referred to this book by my former C/1/9 "Lift" Plt. Leader Capt. Abe Stice. I arrived at LZ Two Bits in early April, 1967 as a 20 year old W1, Army Aviator two weeks out of flight school. At our "Cav" orientation back at An Khe the newly arriving pilots were briefed on the various units requiring replacements. Pilots were being assigned throughout the various Cav units until the 1st/9th was mentioned. At that point we were told this was an all "volunteer" recon unit and if you wanted action this was the place to go. Looking for "young tigers" is how it was described at one point. I think 12 - 16 of my classmates got their hands in the air and were quickly "signed up". The group was split between A, B and C Troops with myself and two classmates reporting to Charlie Troop Lift. Thus began my/our summer of 1967. The Summer of Love - back in "the world", maybe not so much on the Bong Son Plain and surrounding mountains and valleys. I found this book as interesting and accurate as any I've read about Vietnam, the 1st Cav or the 1st/9th. On a number of occasions I stopped reading long enough to refer back to some of my long kept "notes" to confirm actions, KIA's, and other story line details. I remained a "Lift" pilot or "Slick Driver" with the Troop until my DEROS in late March 1968. By then the Cav was "up north" near the DMZ and getting ready to relieve the embattled Marines at Khe Sanh during TET. The 1st/9th Troops were still in it hot and heavy "scouting " the way. I can still only think, what a year that was. Thanks to Brad for telling his story, our story in such a well considered book. Enjoyed, thx. Paul

Doc Smith walks us through his survival of a war that he won, against the odds. So many of us were spared his agony, but we can enjoy his victory and his rare humor. The best book that I've read on Vietnam. Thank you Doc and all those that served with you.

Written in more magazine style than biography or history, this book is refreshingly different and a very engaging read. You get the author's feelings and emotions clearly in each story. This may be a great way to introduce readers to the varied experience that was Vietnam. Highly recommended.

The autobiographical accounts of a combat medic turned writer author. He relates combat experiences that are exciting, at times touching and humorous.Real experiences from the terrors of war and testing of his faith.

Skilled writer with a unique view on war, spirituality, and the human spirit. I truly valued reading this book. Thank you for your poignant memories and maxing perspective, and most especially for your service, not just to the States but to our fellow humans.

A good action read, filled with memorable names and places from one of the most interesting units involved in the Vietnam war. Having been in the same squadron but not the same troop ... and on a different tour of duty ... I was delighted by the author's recollections and descriptions that captured rather well the exploits of the people who were represented by the book's cover.

Although the author is very skilled at writing and humorous at times , unfortunately he lets his personal opinions all too frequently get in the way of objectively telling his story of what it was like to be a medic in Vietnam . Also far too many references to his personal religious beliefs which detracts from the overall message he seems to be typing to convey . One more comment - I would suggest that the Vietnam of 2016 is far different from the Vietnam of 1995 when the author last visited .The young people there have come a long way - just talk to them to see the changes .

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