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

By Frank Johnson

Book Overview

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 differences: 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 compelling: 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. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0739415727
• ISBN13: 9780739415726
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 255 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.

Customer Reviews

More complaining and whining then anything

This guy spent more time whining and complaining about stuff then actually really detailing or explaining anything. When he did mention any sort of combat it was all macho I'm the toughest A lot of stuff written in here that would have had him stripped of rank as well as kicked out if he had really done a lot of these things to officers like he wrote. Two stars due to haven been in myself this was the most dribble drab stuff...

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

I was wanting to hear more about personal experience of combat in Vietnam. I wanted to compare my own experiences and found what I was looking for! I would perhaps have liked the Author to elaborate more on Practices and Procedures and lessons learnt!

Through the Eyes of a 19 Year Old

It was my privilege to have known Frank Johnson while serving with him in Vietnam. There were many times we set across from each other on our bunks and thanked God we were still alive. Frank indeed was a warrior and a man of great courage but there was also another side that was warm kind and gentle. A man that would take the time to listen to your problems, to help you when you were down and to support you when you needed...

Diary of an Airborne Ranger

This book really gives you the first hand account on what happen day by day to this soldier. What a great history lesson. It isn't soften down by someones memories of the Vietnam War but gives you the actual feelings that happen on that day. I find that when I am reading I get lost in the moment and feel like I am right in the jungle with this soldier. I was only 10 yrs old little girl when this was taking place. I looked...

DIARY OF AN AIRBORNE RANGER

A LRRP'S YEAR IN A COMBAT ZONE...This was an excellent book. I just bought the book 2 days ago, and just finished it tonight. I had to read it every chance I got. The hell these guys went through, detailed explicitly in this book, is amazing. The honor and courage that these men showed, went above and beyond the call of duty. Definitely a must read, especially for those who have been in the military, and especially for those...