Comments on: Book Review - The 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam: Unparalleled and Unequaled, by Maj. Gen. Ira A. Hunt Jr. (Ret.) http://www.historynet.com/book-review-the-9th-infantry-division-in-vietnam-unparalleled-and-unequaled-by-maj-gen-ira-a-hunt-jr-ret.htm From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Mon, 20 May 2013 07:22:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Rick Combs http://www.historynet.com/book-review-the-9th-infantry-division-in-vietnam-unparalleled-and-unequaled-by-maj-gen-ira-a-hunt-jr-ret.htm#comment-822116 Rick Combs Tue, 23 Oct 2012 05:36:50 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682593#comment-822116 Mr. Feldman - Quite something you served with my uncle, Bill Cronin. You are the first person I've heard say that in 45 years. I suppose it's possible I may have met you in D.C. at his service. If you may know more about him or may have pictures you could share, I'd be very interested. It's strange to think that I'm older than he was at the time we lost him and so many others. You men are true heroes and I feel the rest of us owe you many thanks for risking -- even losing your lives for us, whom were safe, back home because you served. Many thanks! Mr. Feldman -
Quite something you served with my uncle, Bill Cronin. You are the
first person I've heard say that in 45 years. I suppose it's
possible I may have met you in D.C. at his service. If you may
know more about him or may have pictures you could share,
I'd be very interested. It's strange to think that
I'm older than
he was at the time we lost him and so many others. You men
are true heroes and I feel the rest of us owe you many thanks
for risking — even losing your lives for us, whom were safe, back
home because you served. Many thanks!

]]> By: T. Michaelides http://www.historynet.com/book-review-the-9th-infantry-division-in-vietnam-unparalleled-and-unequaled-by-maj-gen-ira-a-hunt-jr-ret.htm#comment-800821 T. Michaelides Wed, 09 May 2012 04:29:37 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682593#comment-800821 I was just a small boy when you that was fought, so all of my information comes onlyfrom books, Until I read Col. Hackworth's book i never understood how a soldier could frag an officer, a fellow countrymen. Hearing first hand how Col. Hunt gave no regard for the safety of the grunts he ordered into the rocket belt for the purpose of clearing out a few VC when he knew the area was chock full of booby traps, how his sole concern was for decorating his uniform with phoney medals, including one from a battle where he likely killed his own troops with friendly fire makes me understand why the practice persisted. Col. Hackworth praised many 0f his superior officers, so I don't believe he had an axe to grind. He called it like he saw it, and Hunt was a phoney, a liar and had no business being in command of infantrymen. I can't imagine the daily horror you men endured being forced to hump the rocket belt per this fools orders I was just a small boy when you that was fought, so all of my information comes onlyfrom books, Until I read Col. Hackworth's book i never understood how a soldier could frag an officer, a fellow countrymen. Hearing first hand how Col. Hunt gave no regard for the safety of the grunts he ordered into the rocket belt for the purpose of clearing out a few VC when he knew the area was chock full of booby traps, how his sole concern was for decorating his uniform with phoney medals, including one from a battle where he likely killed his own troops with friendly fire makes me understand why the practice persisted. Col. Hackworth praised many 0f his superior officers, so I don't believe he had an axe to grind. He called it like he saw it, and Hunt was a phoney, a liar and had no business being in command of infantrymen. I can't imagine the daily horror you men endured being forced to hump the rocket belt per this fools orders

]]> By: Gene Clifton (CLIFF) http://www.historynet.com/book-review-the-9th-infantry-division-in-vietnam-unparalleled-and-unequaled-by-maj-gen-ira-a-hunt-jr-ret.htm#comment-794918 Gene Clifton (CLIFF) Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:05:45 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682593#comment-794918 I served with the 4th. & 39th. 9th. infantry and we were always doing something that that put us at risk because some of the decisions made by the brass ,wanting all of the body count for their record so us grunts didn`t get artillery and air support at times we needed it. That was in 1968 running with the boats & choppers. I look back now and think of the brothers that died because of some self centered prick officer trying to rank up at the price of brave grunts that all they wanted was to do their job and GO HOME,back to THE WORLD. Gene Clifton (CLIFF) Darlington, S.C> I served with the 4th. & 39th. 9th. infantry and we were always doing something that that put us at risk because some of the decisions made by the brass ,wanting all of the body count for their record so us grunts didn`t get artillery and air support at times we needed it. That was in 1968 running with the boats & choppers. I look back now and think of the brothers that died because of some self centered prick officer trying to rank up at the price of brave grunts that all they wanted was to do their job and GO HOME,back to THE WORLD. Gene Clifton (CLIFF) Darlington, S.C>

]]> By: Glenn http://www.historynet.com/book-review-the-9th-infantry-division-in-vietnam-unparalleled-and-unequaled-by-maj-gen-ira-a-hunt-jr-ret.htm#comment-782363 Glenn Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:57:14 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682593#comment-782363 Allan, I have questions for you, how / where can we communicate? B.2/39 1966 Allan, I have questions for you, how / where can we communicate? B.2/39 1966

]]> By: ROBERT WILLIAMS http://www.historynet.com/book-review-the-9th-infantry-division-in-vietnam-unparalleled-and-unequaled-by-maj-gen-ira-a-hunt-jr-ret.htm#comment-780223 ROBERT WILLIAMS Sat, 29 Oct 2011 23:53:33 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682593#comment-780223 i have said the Delta was the most dangerous place to have to patrol let alone try and control. i say this with knowledge, my second tour i spent time with the 4th infantry division, the 198TH of the Amercical Division at Fire support base Mary Ann yes the Mary Ann and the 1st Battlion 1st Marine Division that was a Field Force One Assignment. but in those AO's Charlie dug in and preferred you came across open space. not to mention he stayed close to the border. farther north he ran regimental size operations in I corp, these places where no picnics areas and the action was heavy all the time. the fight was there but not the terror you faced in the dead by the yard Delta, with 80 foot channels and rivers that snaked along for miles with countless booby traps wall to wall. i had no trouble enjoying the hard rock ground and high mountains. ground you could defend and solid things you could get behind. i remember hiding behind behind grass to dodge bullets in the mud of the Delta we started out in III corp but quickly joined the rest of the division in the mud AND BOOBY TRAP capital of all the world. but if you had to hump and fight 3,2and1 were the places to be. i have said the Delta was the most dangerous place to have to patrol let alone try and control. i say this with knowledge, my second tour i spent time with the 4th infantry division, the 198TH of the Amercical Division at Fire support base Mary Ann yes the Mary Ann and the 1st Battlion 1st Marine Division that was a Field Force One Assignment. but in those AO's Charlie dug in and preferred you came across open space. not to mention he stayed close to the border. farther north he ran regimental size operations in I corp, these places where no picnics areas and the action was heavy all the time. the fight was there but not the terror you faced in the dead by the yard Delta, with 80 foot channels and rivers that snaked along for miles with countless booby traps wall to wall. i had no trouble enjoying the hard rock ground and high mountains. ground you could defend and solid things you could get behind. i remember hiding behind behind grass to dodge bullets in the mud of the Delta we started out in III corp but quickly joined the rest of the division in the mud AND BOOBY TRAP capital of all the world. but if you had to hump and fight 3,2and1 were the places to be.

]]> By: robert williams http://www.historynet.com/book-review-the-9th-infantry-division-in-vietnam-unparalleled-and-unequaled-by-maj-gen-ira-a-hunt-jr-ret.htm#comment-780170 robert williams Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:31:12 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682593#comment-780170 you email me Robert Williams at gup74@hotmail.com you email me Robert Williams at gup74@hotmail.com

]]> By: robert williams http://www.historynet.com/book-review-the-9th-infantry-division-in-vietnam-unparalleled-and-unequaled-by-maj-gen-ira-a-hunt-jr-ret.htm#comment-780169 robert williams Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:28:14 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682593#comment-780169 i don't have to read that book, since i served under Col Hackworth as commander of the 4th/39th and Gen Hurt was a frequent visitor to Fire base Danger as Brigade Commander and not to mention the fact that he did not know an oz of shit about combat operations in Base 470 let alone the Rocket Belt. But he was an up and coming Shining Star are at least in some circles, just not among the Grunts of the 4th and 39th Infantry. We had been there to long and seen to much and the pictures were not pretty and the Delta was the most dangerous place in Vietnam. Just about everything in the book is true, however most of the times names are not mentioned with good cause. I felt Col.Hackworth was always looking to write the next chapter to his book. but to me he did not give much thought to being killed, he got out his copter charged a GOOK with an AK in a bunker and took a bullet in the thigh before killing the GOOK. one lone GOOK, he would jump out his chopper for one deadly encounter,ok if he ment to inspire his troops i think that was simple just get on the ground and hump a click are two. i talk with him more than once. one thing about him he was taking in the here and now but his face showed he was somewhere else at the same time in his head he always had a strange look of fearing nothing. what made him different is that its a fact we owned the day night and also the sky. under him we own the real estate too! i don't have to read that book, since i served under Col Hackworth as commander of the 4th/39th and Gen Hurt was a frequent visitor to Fire base Danger as Brigade Commander and not to mention the fact that he did not know an oz of shit about combat operations in Base 470 let alone the Rocket Belt. But he was an up and coming Shining Star are at least in some circles, just not among the Grunts of the 4th and 39th Infantry. We had been there to long and seen to much and the pictures were not pretty and the Delta was the most dangerous place in Vietnam. Just about everything in the book is true, however most of the times names are not mentioned with good cause. I felt Col.Hackworth was always looking to write the next chapter to his book. but to me he did not give much thought to being killed, he got out his copter charged a GOOK with an AK in a bunker and took a bullet in the thigh before killing the GOOK. one lone GOOK, he would jump out his chopper for one deadly encounter,ok if he ment to inspire his troops i think that was simple just get on the ground and hump a click are two. i talk with him more than once. one thing about him he was taking in the here and now but his face showed he was somewhere else at the same time in his head he always had a strange look of fearing nothing. what made him different is that its a fact we owned the day night and also the sky. under him we own the real estate too!

]]> By: Jon Brendan http://www.historynet.com/book-review-the-9th-infantry-division-in-vietnam-unparalleled-and-unequaled-by-maj-gen-ira-a-hunt-jr-ret.htm#comment-780150 Jon Brendan Thu, 27 Oct 2011 23:19:09 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682593#comment-780150 All of us knew of certain officers who were only concerned about their next promotion. For a different view of Gen. Hunt , read "Steel My Soldiers' Hearts " by Col. David Hackworth. All of us knew of certain officers who were only concerned about their next promotion. For a different view of Gen. Hunt , read
"Steel My Soldiers' Hearts " by Col. David Hackworth.

]]> By: Robert Williams http://www.historynet.com/book-review-the-9th-infantry-division-in-vietnam-unparalleled-and-unequaled-by-maj-gen-ira-a-hunt-jr-ret.htm#comment-707387 Robert Williams Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:02:04 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682593#comment-707387 well now it seems some of the brothers are filtering in on this and thats good.Vietnam ,like no other has inspired many books and articles and even documentaries and all together. a fracgmented picture of the experience emerges.Gen Ewell, the day we were moving out of the battlion area at Dong Tam he was walking among us talking here and there. I got a good look at Body Count Joe that day.i keep hearing a lot of talk about body counts in the 9th division.you could make that claim but you had to prove it by lining the bodies up to be counted and another thing if civilians were hurt in a ambush because shit happens. every solider had to give a statement of account. no where but in the Delta did i witness are participate in this type of thing. now everybody in the 9th division knows that the bigger the contact the more blood trails but once the blood is drained the trail goes cold now if they cant move the body and the gun its simple thay take the gun at all cost. i got no problem with that not even with the little bastard who thought that up my problem is with them who would say these people were civilians you killed! to that i say sleep one night in area 470 and you sleep for enternity and we as soilders can say a civilian was killed last night and he would be the only civilian killed in that place. well now it seems some of the brothers are filtering in on this and thats good.Vietnam ,like no other has inspired many books and articles and even documentaries and all together. a fracgmented picture of the experience emerges.Gen Ewell, the day we were moving out of the battlion area at Dong Tam he was walking among us talking here and there. I got a good look at Body Count Joe that day.i keep hearing a lot of talk about body counts in the 9th division.you could make that claim but you had to prove it by lining the bodies up to be counted and another thing if civilians were hurt in a ambush because shit happens. every solider had to give a statement of account. no where but in the Delta did i witness are participate in this type of thing.
now everybody in the 9th division knows that the bigger the contact the more blood trails but once the blood is drained the trail goes cold
now if they cant move the body and the gun its simple thay take the gun at all cost. i got no problem with that not even with the little bastard who thought that up my problem is with them who would say these people were civilians you killed! to that i say sleep one night in area 470 and you sleep for enternity and we as soilders can say a civilian was killed last night and he would be the only civilian killed in that place.

]]> By: Ben Feldman http://www.historynet.com/book-review-the-9th-infantry-division-in-vietnam-unparalleled-and-unequaled-by-maj-gen-ira-a-hunt-jr-ret.htm#comment-706252 Ben Feldman Tue, 23 Aug 2011 03:04:39 +0000 http://www.historynet.com/?p=13682593#comment-706252 Hey Brice; Just to let you know I read your message. I served with the 2nd of the 47th Infantry (Mech, APCs) as well from late 1966 to 1967 with William Cronin who was killed in 1967. I started out from Custer Hill, Fort Riley, Kansas with my division, I was a 05c20, radio commo operator in the MeKong Delta. It's nice to see that some of our brothers are savy on the internet. Regards, Ben Feldman, SP4, HQ, 2nd Battalion, 47th Inf. Regiment, 9th Div. Hey Brice;
Just to let you know I read your message. I served with the 2nd of the 47th Infantry (Mech, APCs) as well from late 1966 to 1967 with William Cronin who was killed in 1967.

I started out from Custer Hill, Fort Riley, Kansas with my division, I was a 05c20, radio commo operator in the MeKong Delta. It's nice to see that some of our brothers are savy on the internet.

Regards,
Ben Feldman, SP4, HQ, 2nd Battalion, 47th Inf. Regiment, 9th Div.

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