Overview

A thoroughly documented study of nine years of American combat operations encompassing the crucial frontier valley and a 15-mile radius around it - the most deadly killing ground of the entire Vietnam War. Throughout the Vietnam War, one focal point persisted where the trainedprofessionals of the North Vietnamese and U.S. armies repeatedly fought head-to-head. A Shau Valor is a thoroughly documented study of nine years of American combat operations encompassing the crucial frontier valley and a 15-mile radiusaround it - the most deadly killing ground of the entire Vietnam War. AUTHOR: Colonel Thomas R. Yarborough served as an Air Force pilot for 28 years and flew two combat tours in Vietnam as a forward air controller. His combat decorations include the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal, and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star. A former professor and department chair at Indiana University, he now lives in West Springfield, Virginia, where he maintains ties to the academic community by writing articles for various scholarly journals and periodicals. He is the author of the critically acclaimed book, Da Nang Diary. b/w photographs and maps

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9781612008912

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Reviews

... arguably the first full length account of American combat in the valley, stands as a sterling testament to the extraordinary courage- no less than 15 Medals of Honor were awarded for actions in and around the valley- displayed by the men who fought and died there. --Vietnam Magazine ...while much of this ground has been covered before in many books, this is the first volume that looks solely at fighting in the A Shau during virtually the entire Vietnam War. It is a worthy endeavor. --The VVA Veteran A a must-read book for anyone wanting to understand the success and failures of the U.S. military on the battlefields in Vietnam. --The Journal of America's Military Past Covers eight years of military action in chronological, episodic fashion in this detailed military history. The A Shau Valley, located about 25 miles south of the Vietnamese city of Hue and near the border with Laos, was a main entry route into South Vietnam for North Vietnamese forces on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Widely known as the 'Valley of Death, ' this area was the site of many vicious engagements between the North Vietnamese Army and the U.S. Military. . . . Yarborough's volume is the first that looks solely at fighting in the A Shau during virtually the entire conflict. --Publisher's Weekly The North Vietnamese Army and the US Army clashed frequently in this strategic valley near the Ho Chi Min trail. The author covers the nine years of fighting that occurred there. --Military Heritage There is such a great deal we still don't know about some of the theaters of the Vietnam War - Yarborough writes as though he were there when it happened, such is the vividness with which he recounts some of the events... --Books Monthly This is a truly remarkable, well-written, thought-provoking book...will appeal to a wide audience interested in gaining a better understanding of the Vietnam War --On Point: The Journal of Army History Tom Yarborough provides a gripping, fast paced, page-turning account of America's finest warriors who fought in and above the most strategically important terrain in Vietnam. A masterful blend of history, national strategy, and warrior ethos which simultaneously highlights leadership attributes at every level. A must read for all warriors, scholars, and students of leadership. Additionally, it is a great tribute to the warriors who fought, and those who died, in the A Shau Valley. --General H. Hugh Shelton, U.S. Army (Ret), A Shau veteran, 14th Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and author of Without Hesitation: The Odyssey of an American Warrior Yarborough's work is replete with repeated references to the valor of those who served in this hotly-contested section of Vietnam... Highly recommended for those interested in this important part of the War in Vietnam. --Military Writer's Society of America Colonel Thomas Yarborough spent his time in the air over the A Shau Valley, but he has detailed knowledge of what took place on the ground. He insightfully covers the infantryman's hardships, difficulties, and physical price paid. Thanks to his extensive research, study, and personal knowledge, Tom describes the nine-year war in the A Shau in riveting detail. This book is a must read for all interested in why we did not close and win that war.--Wesley L. Fox, Colonel USMC (Ret), Medal of Honor recipient and author of Marine Rifleman: Forty-Three Years in the Corps. ...author writes a history of the war as exemplified by actions, operations, successes and failures that took place in a fixed physical setting. It is a novel approach. It is more narrow than a history of the war but broader in scope than a detailed examination of a single battle... Saving the best for his Epilogue, the author may have unintentionally asked a question that should have been considered then and should be considered today. Despite America's enormous expenditure of firepower and men, MACV's strategy for winning the A Shau was neither realistic nor focused enough to ensure a successful outcome. Only taking and holding territory could have done that, something that was never seriously considered by American leadership. In effect, self-delusion substituted for strategy. Applying the lessons of the A Shau to today's conflicts one can also ask if its mistakes are being repeated today. --The Drop: The Journal of the Special Forces Association, Winter 2016

... arguably the first full length account of American combat in the valley, stands as a sterling testament to the extraordinary courage- no less than 15 Medals of Honor were awarded for actions in and around the valley- displayed by the men who fought and died there. -- Vietnam Magazine ...thoroughly documented and thought provoking... -- SirReadaLot.org ...while much of this ground has been covered before in many books, this is the first volume that looks solely at fighting in the A Shau during virtually the entire Vietnam War. It is a worthy endeavor. -- The VVA Veteran A a must-read book for anyone wanting to understand the success and failures of the U.S. military on the battlefields in Vietnam. -- The Journal of America's Military Past Colonel Tom Yarborough supplies a 'you are there' sense of the sights, sounds, and even the smells of one of Vietnam's bloodiest battlefi elds. The author's account has all the hallmarks of firstrate history: a spellbinding narrative; the ability to re-create the intensity of combat; impeccable research; and insightful historical judgments. This is a powerful, riveting story about the A Shau Valley that has never been told until now. --Command Sergeant Major Bennie G. Adkins, U.S. Army (Ret), A Shau veteran, Medal of Honor recipient, and author of The Battles at Special Forces Camp A Shau Covers eight years of military action in chronological, episodic fashion in this detailed military history. The A Shau Valley, located about 25 miles south of the Vietnamese city of Hue and near the border with Laos, was a main entry route into South Vietnam for North Vietnamese forces on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Widely known as the 'Valley of Death, ' this area was the site of many vicious engagements between the North Vietnamese Army and the U.S. Military. . . . Yarborough's volume is the first that looks solely at fighting in the A Shau during virtually the entire conflict. -- Publisher's Weekly The North Vietnamese Army and the US Army clashed frequently in this strategic valley near the Ho Chi Min trail. The author covers the nine years of fighting that occurred there. -- Military Heritage There is such a great deal we still don't know about some of the theaters of the Vietnam War - Yarborough writes as though he were there when it happened, such is the vividness with which he recounts some of the events... -- Books Monthly This is a truly remarkable, well-written, thought-provoking book...will appeal to a wide audience interested in gaining a better understanding of the Vietnam War -- On Point: The Journal of Army History Yarborough's work is replete with repeated references to the valor of those who served in this hotly-contested section of Vietnam... Highly recommended for those interested in this important part of the War in Vietnam. -- Military Writer's Society of America Tom Yarborough provides a gripping, fast paced, page-turning account of America's finest warriors who fought in and above the most strategically important terrain in Vietnam. A masterful blend of history, national strategy, and warrior ethos which simultaneously highlights leadership attributes at every level. A must read for all warriors, scholars, and students of leadership. Additionally, it is a great tribute to the warriors who fought, and those who died, in the A Shau Valley. --General H. Hugh Shelton, U.S. Army (Ret), A Shau veteran, 14th Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and author of Without Hesitation: The Odyssey of an American Warrior Colonel Thomas Yarborough spent his time in the air over the A Shau Valley, but he has detailed knowledge of what took place on the ground. He insightfully covers the infantryman's hardships, difficulties, and physical price paid. Thanks to his extensive research, study, and personal knowledge, Tom describes the nine-year war in the A Shau in riveting detail. This book is a must read for all interested in why we did not close and win that war.--Wesley L. Fox, Colonel USMC (Ret), Medal of Honor recipient and author of Marine Rifleman: Forty-Three Years in the Corps. ...author writes a history of the war as exemplified by actions, operations, successes and failures that took place in a fixed physical setting. It is a novel approach. It is more narrow than a history of the war but broader in scope than a detailed examination of a single battle... Saving the best for his Epilogue, the author may have unintentionally asked a question that should have been considered then and should be considered today. Despite America's enormous expenditure of firepower and men, MACV's strategy for winning the A Shau was neither realistic nor focused enough to ensure a successful outcome. Only taking and holding territory could have done that, something that was never seriously considered by American leadership. In effect, self-delusion substituted for strategy. Applying the lessons of the A Shau to today's conflicts one can also ask if its mistakes are being repeated today. -- The Drop: The Journal of the Special Forces Association, Winter 2016

Author Information

Colonel Thomas R. Yarborough served as an Air Force pilot for 28 years and flew two combat tours in Vietnam as a forward air controller. His combat decorations include the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal, and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star. A former professor and department chair at Indiana University, he now lives in West Springfield, Virginia, where he maintains ties to the academic community by writing articles for various scholarly journals and periodicals. He is the author of the critically acclaimed book, Da Nang Diary.

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