A rumor of war by philip caputo vietnam war

Caputo had one of the most unique perspectives on the war possible. He was a young Marine lieutenant when the Marines first came ashore in force in Vietnam in March of 1965. Ten years later he was one of the reporters that reported on the final fall of Saigon to Communist North Vietnamese forces. Caputo is one of the first Marines ashore in Vietnam and is part of the initial process of escalation that led to our massive commitment to that country. He first guards an airbase, and then makes limited patrols into the surrounding countryside to route out snipers. Eventually he is part of the first massive search and destroys operations of the war. Caputo's book chronicles the sixteen months of the war, or at least what he saw of it. From leading a platoon guarding the airport in Danag, to endless patrols in search of a phantom enemy. Eventually he is transferred to a staff position and as one of his duties posts every day the number of American's lost and VC killed on the regimental HQ's blackboard. To say this has a negative affect on his morale is to put it mildly. Caputo is then transferred back to an infantry company to serve once again as a platoon leader. He serves in this capacity until stress and lack of judgment lea