RAY GLEASON

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Published by: Erinach LLC
Release Date: June 1, 2023
Pages: 342
ISBN13: 979-8218191382

 
Synopsis

A Grunt Speaks, 2 ed, is a revision of A Grunt Speaks, which is out of print. In the spirit of Ambrose Bierce, A Grunt Speaks is more than a simple glossary of the terms used by infantrymen during the Vietnam conflict. The terms are defined both by their formal meaning but also by how infantrymen perceived them, both the theory and the practice. Also, the author shares the experiences of the infantry with these concepts on the battlefield, in the basecamps, and at home.
A Grunt Speaks is a memorial to the sacrifices, heroism, and tragedies of infantryman who fought the Vietnam war.

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Praise

I knew Ray was on target, so-to-speak, when I felt that knot in my stomach return while reading this book. It was the same one that dated from the turbulence of the late 60's through the mid 70's stemming from the debacle known as Vietnam. And I was not in-country in my 4 years. Lesser countries have failed with less of a test. Despite our good intentions, we always seem eager to put our best young men and women at risk for someone else's political agenda; but at least we are somewhat better at supporting our warfighters this time around. Whatever happened to that idea of having our elected officials fight their own wars? Thanks, Ray, for putting the whole "character shaping" experience in perspective for those who either glorify or vilify it without first-hand knowledge.

As a former Platoon leader with the 9th Inf Div in the Mekong Delta, I think this book captures the essence of the "field" environment of the infantryman in Vietnam. By defining the Jargon, and blending his explanations with actual soldier experiences, former Sgt (in Vietnam) Gleason allows the reader a greater ability to relate to what it was really like. Don't miss the rat story at the firebase, it's a hoot! Another don't miss is the tutoring lesson on land navigation...it makes maneuvering in unfamiliar terrain much simpler. Heck, I even learned some new terms used by other grunts in Vietnam. Good job, Professor!

Fantastic 5 star Book! Once you pick it up, you won’t put it down. This book brings back great memories through all the acronyms and words soldiers lived;(live) by. The definitions and nomenclature articulated in this book supported by interesting personal stores gives the reader a fantastic glimpse into the world of the "grunt". This is a book both military and non-military personnel will enjoy. Soldiers of today can relate to many words that live on and easily add new ones in the technical world we live in today. Thanks for putting it to paper, valuable reference for any military historian.

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Excerpt

Black Label.
America’s attempt at recreating Ba Moui Ba.
This was a cheap, US domestic beer left over from Prohibition that seemed to have had no other application besides being exported to grunts in Nam.
Black Label was usually consumed warm, but it was rumored to be capable of being cooled on ice. Due to a combination of the suspected chemical instability of the formula and a complete lack of ice, this was never demonstrated.
Bad taste before, during, and after consumption, but — at ten cents a can — who cared?

CONUS.
Pronounced CON-us
1. What Robert McNamara did to get us to stay in Nam.
2. An acronym for “Continental United States;” in other words, “home,” “the world.”