Sappers in the Wire Keith William Nolan Texas A&M University Press College Station, Tx

Lyndon B. Johnson appeared on nationwide television in late March 1968 to tell the American people that he had decided not to run for a second full term as President of the United States. He said that his reason for not running was to enable him to work full time to find a way to get the United States out of Vietnam. This was a clear signal that the beginning of the end had arrived.

But the end did not arrive soon enough. Three full years after Johnson’s televised announcement one of the costliest attacks of the war was carried out against an unsuspecting American base in Vietnam. Thirty soldiers of the Americal Division’s 1/46 Infantry and 3/16 Field Artillery were killed in a surprise attack on a fire support base named Mary Ann.

In addition to those killed, scores were wounded in the late night attack. Within a few months, the repercussions of the attack led to punitive actions against many of the officers in the lower command structure. Until now, the full story of the attack and its aftermath has not been readily available. Sappers in the Wire (Keith William Nolan, Texas A&M University Press, 1995) is aptly subtitled "The Life and Death of Firebase Mary Ann." Nolan begins his history of the 1/46 Inf. and FSB Mary Ann in September, 1970 and follows their activities until the firebase is closed and the battalion is deactivated in mid-1971. In addition to an accounting of the battles that were fought by the 1/46, Nolan superbly details the frame of mind of the infantry soldier during this time of Vietnamization and US withdrawal. With regard to the Americal Division soldiers whose actions during the attack are much misunderstood, Nolan states in his preface: "The actions of these men and others have never been recorded in any book, and it is my purpose to finally describe in minute-by-minute detail exactly what happened that infamous night. The men who were killed or maimed for life on that hill deserve as much."

Keith Nolan signs copies of his books at the 1999 ADVA Reunion in St. Louis

Nolan is not a newcomer to Vietnam War history. His previous six books include Operation Buffalo, Death Valley, and The Magnificent Bastards. Although not a Vietnam veteran himself, Nolan is able to capture the heart of the conflict through his meticulous interviews of Vietnam veterans. Over 80 veterans contributed their experiences to Nolan’s effort. Their thoughts and feelings bring life to this finely detailed work.

Some readers will certainly cringe at the description of drug abuse and lax security. Others will find it difficult to relive the horror of battle. But in the end, all will have a better understanding of the heroism and sacrifice that was demanded of the front-line soldiers. It is for them that this book is written, and it is appreciated.

This book is available through Amazon.com.

For more reading material related to the Americal Division, there's the Army's Official History of the division and additional bibliographical information.