Voices from the Vietnam War. Xiaobing Li

      

      VOICES FROM THE

      VIETNAM WAR

      Stories from

      American, Asian,

      and Russian Veterans

      XIAOBING LI

      THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF KENTUCKY

      Copyright © 2010 by The University Press of Kentucky

      Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth,

      serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University.

      All rights reserved.

      Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky 663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008 www.kentuckypress.com

      14 13 12 11 10 5 4 3 2 1

      Maps by Dick Gilbreath, Stephanie Shaw, and Ted Smith at the University of Kentucky Cartography Lab.

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Li, Xiaobing, 1954-

      Voices from the Vietnam War : stories from American, Asian, and Russian veterans / Xiaobing Li.

      p. cm.

      Includes bibliographical references and index.

      ISBN 978-0-8131-2592-3 (hardcover : acid-free paper)

      1. Vietnam War, 1961-1975—Personal narratives. I. Title.

      DS559.5.L518 2010

      959.704’30922—dc22

      2010007779

      This book is printed on acid-free recycled paper meeting the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence in Paper for Printed Library Materials.

      Manufactured in the United States of America.

      Member of the Association of

      American University Presses

      For Tran, Kevin, and Christina

      Contents

       List of Maps

       List of Photographs

       Abbreviations

       Note on Transliteration

       Acknowledgments

       Introduction: The Long War

       Part One. A Country Divided

       1. A Buddhist Soldier Defends a Catholic Government

       2. Surviving the Bloody Jungle

       3. Electronic Reconnaissance vs. Guerrillas

       4. Communist Regulars from the North

       5. People's War against Americans

       6. No Final Victory, No Family Life

       Part Two. Hanoi's Comrades

       7. Russian Missile Officers in Vietnam

       8. The Dragon's Tale: Chinese Troops in the Jungle

       9. Chinese Response to the U.S. Rolling Thunder Campaign

       10. Russian Spies in Hanoi

       Part Three. Saigon's Allies

       11. Long Days and Endless Nights: An Artillery Story

       12. And Then They're Gone…Just Like That

       13. No John Wayne Movie: Real Bullets, Real Blood

       14. More Than Meets the Eye: Supporting the Intelligence Effort

       Part Four. Doctors and Nurses

       15. Medevac and Medcap Missions and More

       16. Drowning Tears with Laughter

       17. Life and Death of an ARVN Doctor

       18. A Korean Captain and His Hospital

       Part Five. Logistics Support

       19. “Loggie's” War: Napalm, Fuel, Bombs, and Sweat

       20. Support and Survival in Thailand

       21. Three Great Escapes

       22. Chinese Railroad Engineering Operations

       Conclusion: Perspectives on the War

       Notes

       Selected Bibliography

       Index

      Maps

       1. Vietnam and Asia