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Through the Valley: Vietnam, 1967-1968

James F. Humphries
Through the Valley:  Vietnam, 1967-1968
ISBN: 978-1-62637-975-6
$29.95
ISBN: 978-1-955055-02-4
$29.95
2021/340 pages/LC: 98-46944
Paperback now available!
Originally published in hardcover in 1999.
With maps

"A superbly written and researched story of combat in Vietnam."—Aldo E. Salerno, Army History

"A riveting account of several hitherto obscure or overlooked battles in the northern provinces of South Vietnam in 1967 and 1968."—Dr. George M. Watson, Jr., Air Power History

"Humphries excels in capturing the problems, confusion, teamwork, and heroics that accompany combat."—Charles C. Morrisey, Journal of Military History

"Through the Valley ... is a must-read for anyone claiming to be knowledgeable about Vietnam combat. Humphries is to be commended for the excellence and professionalism he exhibits in his superlative work. With it he honors those who served."—Gary L. Noller, Americal Division Website

"[Through the Valley] is a sad story.... It is also a fine story of outstanding combat leadership and of courage and aggressiveness under heavy fire.... Well worth the reading for those interested in how the conventional war was fought in Vietnam."—Parameters

DESCRIPTION

The fierce close combat in the remote areas of South Vietnam’s northern provinces in 1967-1968—the battles of Hiep Duc, March 11, Nhi Ha, and Hill 406—has been a strangely underreported slice of the Vietnam War. Through the Valley brings those battles into sharp focus, chronicling the efforts of the proud units of the Americal Division and the 196th Light Infantry Brigade against a stubborn enemy in long-forgotten villages and on torturous hills.

Humphries draws on both his own combat experience and the eyewitness reports of former veterans, and a multitude of US Army and Marine Corps documents to create a powerful reconstruction of combat in Vietnam. He also pieces together declassified information on the opposing North Vietnamese and Vietcong units, tracing the troops' actions and putting a face on an otherwise anonymous enemy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James F. Humphries served two tours of duty in Vietnam with the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade. He retired from the army in 1988.

CONTENTS

  • A Hill West of Tam Ky.
  • Task Force Oregon.
  • The Assassins.
  • Green Seeds.
  • The Hiep Duc Valley.
  • The 1st VC Main Force Regiment.
  • Twister Charlie.
  • A Real Hero.
  • An Encounter at Dusk.
  • The Longest Night.
  • Oscar, Herman, and Lise.
  • Phu Binh.
  • Harker.
  • In the Enemy’s Camp.
  • A Day With No Sun.
  • Final Shots.
  • Meeting Delta.
  • Cedar Mountain Six.
  • The 3d NVA Regiment.
  • Helix One-One.
  • 11 March.
  • Stay Behinds.
  • Specter.
  • Fire Base Belcher.
  • The Third Marines.
  • Nhi Ha Village.
  • The Second Day.
  • 4 May.
  • Lam Xuan (East).
  • Xom Phoung.
  • Home to the Que Son Valley.
  • Hill 406.
  • The Final Objective.