Overview

An account of the battle of Kham Duc, one of the least known and most misunderstood battles in the American Phase of the Second Indochina War (1959 to 1975). This is an account of the battle of Kham Duc, one of the least known and most misunderstood battles in the American Phase of the Second Indochina War (1959 to 1975). At the time it was painted as a major American defeat, but this new history tells the full story. The authors have a unique ability to reassess this battle – one was present at the battle, the other was briefed on it prior to re-taking the site two years later. The book is based on exhaustive research, revisiting Kham Duc, interviewing battle veterans, and reading interview transcripts and statements of other battle participants, including former North Vietnamese Army (NVA) officers. Based on their research, the authors contend that Kham Duc did not 'fall' and was not 'overrun'. In fact, it was a successful effort to inflict mass attrition on a major NVA force with minimum American losses by voluntarily abandoning an anachronistic little trip-wire border camp serving as passive bait for General Westmoreland's 'lure and destroy' defensive tactics, as at Khe Sanh. AUTHORS: James D. McLeroy lived at Kham Duc and led an elite group of U.S. and indigenous Special Forces troops in the battle. Gregory W. Sanders witnessed a detailed analysis of the battle at the Americal Division headquarters prior to a joint U.S. and South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) operation at and around Kham Duc in 1970. 50 images

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9781612008127

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Reviews

Bait is the real story of one of the most significant, yet unknown, battles of the Vietnam War. --Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Michael Lee Lanning ARMY Magazine ...a vivid, original narrative and authoritative analysis of the large but little known 1968 Battle of Kham Duc at the height of the Vietnam War. McLeroy's participation in it gives this deeply researched narrative and analysis an authenticity missing in combat accounts by writers who have not experienced the events they write about. As a multi-year Vietnam veteran, I have studied the war for over 40 years and taught its history to military and civilian students. I will now add this excellent book to the recommended reading list for my course and strongly recommend it to anyone seriously interested in Vietnam War history. --Andrew Finlayson, Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (ret.) Journal of Military History For an authentic, detailed view of how large battles between U.S. combined-arms forces and regular North Vietnamese Army forces were fought in Vietnam in 1968, 'Bait: The Battle of Kham Duc' is required reading. --General H. Hugh Shelton, 14th Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Journal of Military History The account of the battle is both detailed and exceptionally well-written; McLeroy's participation in the battle adds authenticity to the narrative...highly recommended for anyone interested in how large-scale battles were fought in Vietnam at the height of U.S. commitment on the ground there. -- Journal of Military History This first-hand, exhaustively documented account of a large battle in the Vietnam War shows the decisive role of air power in all its forms. --Carl Schneider, Major General, USAF (ret.) Journal of Military History ...a well-written war story, a superb addition to the growing body of credible revisionist histories. --Arthur Hansen, Professor of History (ret.), California State University Vietnam Magazine ...parts of the book feel like a thriller... a quick, compelling overview of one of America's tactical successes in Vietnam. --Arthur Hansen, Professor of History (ret.), California State University The Journal of America's Military Past ...provides a great new strategic perspective on the U.S. mid-late 1960's military approach to the Vietnam War...it is also well written, and impeccably researched. --Arthur Hansen, Professor of History (ret.), California State University Globe at War I highly recommend reading this book not only to military history enthusiasts but also anyone with an interest in the Vietnam War.''--Arthur Hansen, Professor of History (ret.), California State University The Military Enthusiast Book Club The strength[s] of 'Bait' are the authors' exceptional style of writing, extensive use of images, and personal knowledge of events in providing an authentic, up close view of combat. The authors' extensive research of primary and secondary sources is a quality in of itself not found in majority of Vietnam battles. --Arthur Hansen, Professor of History (ret.), California State University Military Review This book is well written containing extensive end notes to backstop assertions...another example of history best told by those who lived it. It is also highly recommended for both Vietnam War historians and veterans. --Arthur Hansen, Professor of History (ret.), California State University Small Wars Journal Enhanced for academia and the reader with the inclusion of a nineteen page appendix, a five page glossary, a twenty-one page listing of sources, and an eight page index, Bait: The Battle of Kham Duc is an essential and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Vietnam War Military History collections and supplemental studies lists.--Arthur Hansen, Professor of History (ret.), California State University Midwest Book Review ...an important contribution to our understanding of this major battle during America's most misunderstood war. It is a compelling account of true life-and-death events for anyone interested in military history and a fresh in-depth analysis of the battle for historians. Bait should be mandatory reading for military leaders at every level. --Arthur Hansen, Professor of History (ret.), California State University ARMY Magazine A richly detailed micro (or case) study that sheds light on the meta-pattern not only of the Vietnam War, but on war itself. --Arthur Hansen, Professor of History (ret.), California State University Journal of Military History the most authentic account to date of the historic battle of Kham Duc in the Vietnam War. It convincingly explains why, contrary to all other accounts, it was an American tactical victory. Well written, impressively researched, and filled with new details, 'Bait' is highly recommended for scholars, students, and general readers of military history. --Robert Turner, Professor and Distinguished Fellow, University of Virginia Journal of Military History

For an authentic, detailed view of how large battles between U.S. combined-arms forces and regular North Vietnamese Army forces were fought in Vietnam in 1968, 'Bait: The Battle of Kham Duc' is required reading. --General H. Hugh Shelton, 14th Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff This first-hand, exhaustively documented account of a large battle in the Vietnam War shows the decisive role of air power in all its forms. --Carl Schneider, Major General, USAF (ret.) ...a vivid, original narrative and authoritative analysis of the large but little known 1968 Battle of Kham Duc at the height of the Vietnam War. McLeroy's participation in it gives this deeply researched narrative and analysis an authenticity missing in combat accounts by writers who have not experienced the events they write about. As a multi-year Vietnam veteran, I have studied the war for over 40 years and taught its history to military and civilian students. I will now add this excellent book to the recommended reading list for my course and strongly recommend it to anyone seriously interested in Vietnam War history. --Andrew Finlayson, Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (ret.) A richly detailed micro (or case) study that sheds light on the meta-pattern not only of the Vietnam War, but on war itself. --Arthur Hansen, Professor of History (ret.), California State University the most authentic account to date of the historic battle of Kham Duc in the Vietnam War. It convincingly explains why, contrary to all other accounts, it was an American tactical victory. Well written, impressively researched, and filled with new details, 'Bait' is highly recommended for scholars, students, and general readers of military history. --Robert Turner, Professor and Distinguished Fellow, University of Virginia

This book is one of those rare historical narratives that explains in rich detail a battle that was little understood or reported on at the time it was fought but was of strategic importance and heroic dimension. * Marine Corps Gazette *

This book is well written containing extensive end notes to backstop assertions...another example of history best told by those who lived it. It is also highly recommended for both Vietnam War historians and veterans. --Small Wars Journal I highly recommend reading this book not only to military history enthusiasts but also anyone with an interest in the Vietnam War.''--The Military Enthusiast Book Club ...provides a great new strategic perspective on the U.S. mid-late 1960's military approach to the Vietnam War...it is also well written, and impeccably researched. --Globe at War Enhanced for academia and the reader with the inclusion of a nineteen page appendix, a five page glossary, a twenty-one page listing of sources, and an eight page index, Bait: The Battle of Kham Duc is an essential and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library Vietnam War Military History collections and supplemental studies lists. --Midwest Book Review The strength[s] of 'Bait' are the authors' exceptional style of writing, extensive use of images, and personal knowledge of events in providing an authentic, up close view of combat. The authors' extensive research of primary and secondary sources is a quality in of itself not found in majority of Vietnam battles. --Military Review ...a vivid, original narrative and authoritative analysis of the large but little known 1968 Battle of Kham Duc at the height of the Vietnam War. McLeroy's participation in it gives this deeply researched narrative and analysis an authenticity missing in combat accounts by writers who have not experienced the events they write about. As a multi-year Vietnam veteran, I have studied the war for over 40 years and taught its history to military and civilian students. I will now add this excellent book to the recommended reading list for my course and strongly recommend it to anyone seriously interested in Vietnam War history. --Andrew Finlayson, Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (ret.) For an authentic, detailed view of how large battles between U.S. combined-arms forces and regular North Vietnamese Army forces were fought in Vietnam in 1968, 'Bait: The Battle of Kham Duc' is required reading. --General H. Hugh Shelton, 14th Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff This first-hand, exhaustively documented account of a large battle in the Vietnam War shows the decisive role of air power in all its forms. --Carl Schneider, Major General, USAF (ret.) A richly detailed micro (or case) study that sheds light on the meta-pattern not only of the Vietnam War, but on war itself. --Arthur Hansen, Professor of History (ret.), California State University the most authentic account to date of the historic battle of Kham Duc in the Vietnam War. It convincingly explains why, contrary to all other accounts, it was an American tactical victory. Well written, impressively researched, and filled with new details, 'Bait' is highly recommended for scholars, students, and general readers of military history. --Robert Turner, Professor and Distinguished Fellow, University of Virginia ...an important contribution to our understanding of this major battle during America's most misunderstood war. It is a compelling account of true life-and-death events for anyone interested in military history and a fresh in-depth analysis of the battle for historians. Bait should be mandatory reading for military leaders at every level. --ARMY Magazine

James McLeroy and Gregory Sanders, military historians and veterans of the Vietnam Conflict, have teamed together in writing one of the finest accounts of the Vietnam conflict... The authors excel in providing one of the most riveting personal accounts of battle from a junior leader's perception. --Military Review

Author Information

James D. McLeroy lived at Kham Duc and led an elite group of U.S. and indigenous Special Forces troops in the battle. Gregory W. Sanders witnessed a detailed analysis of the battle at the Americal Division headquarters prior to a joint U.S. and South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) operation at and around Kham Duc in 1970.

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