Book Review - We were Soldiers Once...and Young

• Author: Major Michele B. Shields
• Pages: 05

266 MILITARY LAW REVIEW [Vol. 157

WE WERE SOLDIERS ONCE . . . AND YOUNG1

REVIEWED BY MAJOR MICHELE B. SHIELDS2

In February 1963, the United States Army created the 11th Air Assault Division (Test) at Fort Benning, Georgia to assess a new concept of warfare-airmobility. The intent was to produce faster paced combat by bringing the infantry into battle via helicopter. Lieutenant Colonel Harold G. Moore, Jr., took command of one of the battalions of the 11th Air Assault Division in June 1964. He trained and tested the officers and soldiers of his battalion for over a year. Upon completion of testing, the 11th Air Assault Division (Test) was redesignated the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), and Lieutenant Colonel Moore's battalion was given the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry colors. The sister battalion became the 2d Battalion, 7th Cavalry. In August 1965, the 1st Cavalry Division, including the 1st and 2d Battalions, 7th Cavalry, deployed to Vietnam.

We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young is about these two battalions and their respective battles at Landing Zones X-Ray and Albany in the Ia Drang Valley. In the prologue, the authors state the purpose of the book: "[T]his story is about the smaller, more tightly focused 'we' . . . the first American combat troops, who . . . fought the first major battle of a conflict that would drag on for ten long years . . . ."3 The authors never stray from that purpose. In just four days, over two hundred Americans and thousands of North Vietnamese died in combat. The memories of those who fought and died in the Ia Drang Valley are brought to life throughout We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young.

The authors reproduce the intensity of combat at its highest. They stress the importance of organization and communication in battle. They prove that tough training and discipline save lives in battle. Because these concepts can be applied to many aspects of day to day life, any leader, mil-

itary or civilian, can learn from this book. We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young is a must read for all.

Both authors, Joseph L. "Joe" Galloway and Lieutenant General (Retired) Harold G. "Hal" Moore, are distinguished in their respective fields. Joe Galloway was a war correspondent for United Press International (UPI) in 1965-1966. He was attached to the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry and was present at Landing Zone X-Ray. He spent three additional tours in Vietnam and fifteen years overseas as a writer for UPI. Hal Moore graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1945. He commanded the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry at Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley. During his career, he was the commander, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Vietnam; commander, 7th Infantry Division, Korea; commander, Fort Ord, California; and Army deputy chief of staff for personnel. He retired from the U.S. Army as a three-star general in 1977 after thirty-two years of service. The vast experiences of both authors contribute to this well-written and informative book. Most importantly, the authors' presence at Landing Zone X-Ray allowed them to express the sights, sounds, and feelings of combat from a personal perspective. The reader can truly appreciate the openness and candor of these respected men as they describe their own and others' emotions throughout the book.

The authors conducted extensive research over several years to document their book. At the first Ia Drang Reunion in 1988, they received a large amount of material from surviving American soldiers. This material included photos, letters, Army orders, newspaper and magazine clippings, and more. The authors also received valuable information through questionnaire responses and personal and telephonic interviews. Some soldiers offered their personal notes, diaries, and maps for their perusal. Additionally, the authors inspected military records, including studies, after-action reports, and maps. They also met with several North Vietnamese commanders to discuss the battles of the Ia Drang. One North Vietnamese commander brought his personal diary and battle map to the interview. The authors returned to Vietnam and revisited the battlefield. They document their sources in detail throughout the book, and the extensiveness of their research is readily apparent by the number, diversity, and cross-referencing of sources. Galloway and Moore should be applauded for the time, energy, and attention to detail that they devoted to researching and writing this book.

The...