Vietnam War/French Indo-Chinese War

Prodigals: A Vietnam Story

Name: Prodigals: A Vietnam Story
Author: Richard Taylor
ISBN: 9781480406506

by Richard Taylor

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Overview

This well-written combat memoir is heartfelt, earnest, honest, and melancholy—a poignant look at two intense tours in Vietnam. During his first tour in Vietnam, from 1967 to 1968, Dick Taylor was a well-trained and highly motivated amateur assigned to advise a hard-bitten Army of the Republic of Vietnam infantry battalion working in the mud and streams of IV Corps. He became savvy in a hurry and found that he was both brave and resourceful. He barely survived the Tet Offensive of 1968, and then served on an advisory team staff. For the next two years, Taylor earned a Ranger tab, served on a division staff, and schooled on. He met his wife, and married her days before he returned to Vietnam. Taylor’s second tour, from 1970 to 1971, was altogether different. He immediately assumed command of Bravo Company, 1/7 Cav, and excelled as a commander and a leader. He was aggressive in the field, confident in his command, and assertive with his superiors. He fought a good war, a successful war, and when he was forced to take a staff job it was as his battalion’s intelligence officer. But the war was winding down, its purpose lost. Taylor’s spirit’s flagged, but not his fidelity.

About the Author, Richard Taylor

Richard Taylor was a soldier for all his adult life, serving in Vietnam, Europe, Grenada, the Philippines, Iraq, Afghanistan, and numerous posts in the United States. His service led to an understanding and appreciation of the sacrifices made by soldiers and their loved ones. He documented his experiences over two tours of duty in Vietnam in Prodigals: A Vietnam Story (2003). The manuscript was an award winner at the Pike’s Peak Writers Conference the previous year. He earned a nomination as a Georgia Writer of the Year and the book was a featured selection by the Military Book Club. His history of veterans is documented in Homeward Bound: American Veterans Return from War (2007), republished by the Naval Institute Press in 2009 as a featured selection for the Association of the United States Army. Taylor is retired from active service but is still involved with veterans’ organizations.