Book Review: Kill Me If You Can, You SOB
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- Adam Bray
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- Destination: Da Lat | Phan Thiet | Nha Trang | Da Nang | Vietnam
- Topics: People | 20th Century History | War & Conflict
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Kill Me If You Can, You SOB by Bob Miller |
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"Kill Me If You Can, You SOB" is a candid memoir of an “ordinary soldier” told through monthly journal entries from May 1968-May 1969. Bob Miller’s own story illuminates the day-to-day missions, friendships and camaraderie, loss and emotion experienced by the young men who bled and died in Vietnam.
Bob Miller served with the 192nd Assault Helicopter Company in Phan Thiet, providing support for the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He was shot down twice and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. The author’s account centers mainly in the area between the LZ Betty in Phan Thiet, Phan Rang and Dalat, with additional trips to Nha Trang, Da Nang, and some R&R in Singapore.
The LZ Betty lay a few miles southwest of Phan Thiet along the top of red sand bluffs. Here, Task Force South was responsible for military operations in four southern provinces and controlled two American battalions and elements of the 23rd ARVN Division. The central feature of LZ Betty was an airstrip that paralleled the sea. Several French colonial buildings dotted the east edge of the runway and along the western perimeter was a huge cemetery, the scene of a major battle during Tet of 1968 and another fierce battle on May 3, 1970 (both battles are outside the timeframe of this book).
Miller’s account has been embraced by the men of the 3-506th for his compelling story of Lt. Col. Manuel A. Alves (Black Hawk), at LZ Betty. Speaking of their support for the book, Miller states: "It’s a simple case of their respect and love for one of the most courageous battalion commanders to ever wear the 506th patch. These veterans spread the word about this book in twenty-four hours, something our ad agency and I had failed to accomplish in months."
"I guess I had it all wrong. I went looking for acceptance in all the wrong places and faces. I just never thought about asking the guys for help announcing the book. I assumed that the book would have to find its niche among the non-military and pretend soldiers. Battlefield-hardened veterans are not that talkative about their experiences. Plus, I just couldn’t see them being that interested in reading what I had to say about something they had lived."
"Kill Me If You Can, You SOB" (ISBN: 978-1-58736-846-2) is available from major booksellers such as Amazon.com. Visit the official site at: www.kill-me-if-you-can.com
Published on 8/5/07
