Why read the book called ‘The Conclusion’? Rarely does a true window of military history become available, such as this eyewitness account of Vietnam era combat through the eyes of a First Lieutenant Infantry Platoon Leader, Third Platoon, Alpha Company, 1/46th Battalion, 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, from March 1970 to March 1971. The author, Mr. Papa, simply tells it like it was. In other words, this book takes the reader with him and his platoon on several ‘search and destroy’ missions through the triple canopy jungle just below the dividing line between North and South Vietnam, DMZ. All of the key events of this odyssey did happen, just as indicated. One thing is sure without a doubt. Whoever reads this book will never be the same again. Whatever one’s concept of combat happens to be, it will soon change and it will change very dramatically. This will occur relative to the ground pounding grunts, the upper brass, the Washington bureaucrats and even regarding the mindset of the enemy. In my view, this book should be required reading for all individuals, kin, colleagues or aspirants who even think of going to war. Do not get me wrong. Some wars are necessary to preserve true freedom. All other wars should be avoided. It is that simple. Here was the real mission thrust upon more than a million American soldiers during the Vietnam ‘war’: How to go into the jaws of hell and come back alive, in the face of a fruitless war that none of the little people wanted, understood or asked for. All of this was more than forty years ago. Half the people on this planet were not even born when the last shot was fired in Vietnam. However, this is no excuse for the fact that somehow, the lessons that should have been learned and avoided keep repeating themselves over and over again in one theater or another. This is my conclusion. Respectfully, George M. Papa 2013
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