Overview

Don Bonsper picks up where Part 1 left off: Don's assignment to the Marine Advisory Unit in Saigon. His journey as an advisor starts with his assignment as the assistant advisor with the 2nd Battalion, Vietnamese Marine Corps (VNMC). The reader can see the challenges of working with the military forces of another country. Don leaves Vietnam for 6 days of Rest and Relaxation with his wife only to have South Vietnam explode with the Tet Offensive in January 1968. Don's return to Vietnam quickly puts him back in harm's way as he and the battalion work with the Mobile Riverine Force. When the senior advisor of the 2nd Battalion completes his tour of duty, Captain Bonsper becomes the only senior advisor with the rank of captain among the six VNMC battalions. He finishes his tour with the largest battle of his time in Vietnam. Similar to Part 1, this book is not full of glorified stories about combat. Rather it is the author's best recollection of the day to day reality of working and living as an advisor with an elite unit of the Vietnamese military forces. His story is shared by hundreds of other US military officers who also served as advisors during the long war.

Full Product Details

9781508649939

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Don Bonsper was born and raised in the small town of Portville in southwestern New York. He lettered in four sports in high school and graduated as his class valedictorian and president. After high school, he entered the United States Naval Academy, graduating with a commission as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1965. He received a Fulbright Scholarship to Costa Rica for one year and then entered The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, graduating in January 1967 as the honor graduate. He served his tour in Vietnam from June 1967 to June 1968; first leading the First Platoon of E Co, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines and then serving as the assistant and senior advisor working with the Second Battalion, Vietnamese Marine Corps. He was awarded a Silver Star and Bronze Star for his combat service. Upon completion of his tour in Vietnam he went on to complete a 20 year career in the Marines, retiring in 1985 as a lieutenant colonel, after serving in a variety of staff and leadership positions, including Commanding Officer, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines at Camp Pendleton, CA. After his military retirement he continued working as a faculty member and International Programs Coordinator at the Defense Resources Management Institute, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA until his retirement in 2012. Don lives in Carmel Valley, CA with his wife Pam.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available