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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY COMBAT LEADER TEAM, REGIMENTAL OFFICER ACADEMY FORT GORDON, GEORGIA 30905 ATZH-ROA-P 22 September 2000 MEMORANDUM FOR TAC OFFICER, SOBC CLASS 04-00/B SUBJECT: Book Report on The Killing Zone: My Life in the Vietnam War by Frederick Downs This novel depicts the life of Frederick Downs and his experiences in the Vietnam War as an infantry lieutenant. Downs, a native of Kingman, Indiana, was leader of the First Platoon of Delta Company, Third Brigade, Fourth Division, United States Army, Vietnam. September 8, 1967 was the start of Downs Vietnam experience. He was a fresh-faced platoon leader who looked forward to the opportunity to prove his mettle under fire. Prior to his assignment in Vietnam, Downs had graduated six months earlier from the United States Army?s OCS program at Fort Benning, Georgia. The Vietnam War was a military struggle fought in Vietnam from 1959 to 1975, involving the North Vietnamese and the National Liberation Front (NLF) in conflict with United States forces and the South Vietnamese army. In 1965 the United States sent in troops to prevent the South Vietnamese government from collapsing. Ultimately, however, the United States failed to achieve its goal, and in 1975 Vietnam was reunified under Communist control. In 1976, it officially became the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. During the conflict, approximately 3 to 4 million Vietnamese on both sides were killed, in addition to another 1.5 to 2 million Lao and Cambodians who were drawn into the war. More than 58,000 Americans lost their lives. One lesson learned from this book explained how primitive radio transmission was during the Vietnam War. Radio Transmission Operators (RTOs) were the most important men in the platoon. His job was to carry the radio and stick to the lieutenant like a shadow. The radio was the link to everything outside the platoon, from supplies to survival. RTO?s had a high mortality rate because the radio they carried made them a prime target. The radio antenna sticking up above their heads allowed the enemy to pick out the two most important elements in the platoon--the RTO and the man in front of him, the lieutenant. Wherever the lieutenant was, the RTO had to be right next to him. In a firefight both of these men were constantly moving, directing the fight. Having such a long antenna made it extremely easy for enemies to spot their location. Another lesson learned from this book showed me how a soldier should not worry about his or her personal appearance when in the midst of a life or death situation. On November 12, 1967, Downs realized his platoon had not shaved for three or four days. He felt that just because they lived like animals did not mean that they had to look like them. Downs and two of his platoon members, Spagg and Villasenor, decided to guard each other as they shaved down by a stream bank. Two enemy soldiers walked calmly out of the jungle straight ATZH-ROA-P across the little stream not twenty meters away. They immediately dropped their razors and simultaneously commenced firing. The first enemy soldier was killed immediately by Spagg, but the second one gave chase. He fled into the jungle with Downs and his men close behind. Spagg threw a grenade into the jungles? edge where the enemy soldier was located. To their surprise, the enemy soldier threw the grenade back at them. The grenade exploded within range of Downs who was hiding behind the roots of a dead tree. Although both of the enemy soldiers were killed, Downs was wounded in the crossfire. The bicep of his left arm was penetrated by a piece of grenade shrapnel. In the event of worrying about their personal appearance in a jungle, Downs put the lives of himself and two of his soldiers at risk. This was Downs second wound after being in Vietnam for only a few months. Although this wound was slight, Downs later received a wound that left him without an arm and a hook in its place. Downs came back from the war with a shattered body and a psyche that was deeply affected by what he experienced. Downs account of Vietnam is simple and straightforward. He is also an excellent writer and his book is a compulsive page-turner. This is not a book that should be missed by those with an interest in America's most tragic war. I felt his platoon's pain, as well as their excitement, and I saw how hard it was to fight an enemy they could not always see. To me, that had to be one of the hardest things to deal with. All in all, what this man and thousands like him went through is something that each American should appreciate. To me, this was the first ?true story? of the Vietnam War, and of a Veteran. I experienced a first-hand look at what really happened in the Vietnam War. Recommendation of this book is a must for me. Anyone who wants graphic details and nerve stopping accounts of actual Vietnam battles should definitely read this book. I felt the story took an honest, heart-wrenching look at war, the people in it, and the friends they made, and then lost. PERNELL, DANDRILL A. 2LT, SC SOBC Back To Home Page