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3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
One Hell of a Ride by Col (ret) William Haponski Nov 14, 2009
This should be required reading - a presentation of undiluted fact wherein the reader witnesses the chronic fear and frustration, acute terror, and lingering remorse of war.
Col Haponski beamed me back to that period of my youth which was invested in Task Force QuarterCav. I was there once again, this time safely at home. He reminded me of what we were up to, what we faced, and how we fared. Since being in-country I have read many accounts by US Army soldiers of their experiences, but never have I read of smaller unit enemy force actions from their records. This book does just that and more. It provides a picture of our action and our enemy's concurrent action. The reader is reading two books, skillfully written as one.
Col Haponski's extensive research into the enemy he faced, his personal journals from that time, and US military records provided a wealth of raw material from which he crafted this work.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Excellent coverage of Cavalry in Vietnam !!! Nov 12, 2009
Col. Haponski goes to great effort to get all the correct details in this book. From the history of the French,,, to the American units,,, to even the reports of the enemy, in the area, are included in this action packed TRUE story of the Cavalry soldier in Vietnam.
I arrived in the 1-4 Cav. a few months after Haponski left, & heard from fellow soldiers the details & the hardships that they went through. I was proud to serve in the unit, & the " Big Red One !"
The final part of the book is a heartwarming story for all to read. I just hope & pray that some day,,, we will learn by our mistakes,, & that PEACE will be obtained, worldwide.
Steve Lindsay
C Trp. 1-4 Cav.
15 of 15 found the following review helpful:
The best Nov 11, 2009
The historical treatment, general research, NVA content, ability to write well
make this absolutely the most comprehensive, best book on combat in RVN
I have read.
Read and understand mounted combat - bottom up -
as well the passion of command in combat
Former Chief of Armor and Cavalry US Army. Fellow Quarter Horse Commander in VietNam
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
A Thrilling Page-Turner! Nov 10, 2009
Col. Haponski describes in detail here the history they don't teach in schools.
He brings a unique all sides account of the horrible days of his command. The view from command, soldiers and from the opposing side brings the battlefield to life. I held my breath turning though pages of battles as "Task Force Haponski" eats, breaths and sleeps in the bloody Michelin Rubber Plantation in 1969. The reader is then rewarded by the accounts of Col. Haponski's visits back to the area. His healing, the healing of the plantation, and of the people that survived (on all sides). We must "Never Forget"!!!
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
A true life Soldiers Story of a Commander in Action!!! Nov 04, 2009
"One Hell of a Ride" is a true life biography of Colonel Haponski's battlefield command in Vietnam. Many years of research has gone into bringing all the accounts of actual battlefield command and decisions which outlined the success of the 1st squadron 4Th armored Cavalry in Vietnam. From the French occupation and America's initial involvement, to the actual massive troop deployment in 1965, Colonel Haponski has brilliantly addressed all of these issues. In 1968 thru 1969, his actual true life battlefield experiences makes him an authoritative expert on small unit tactics and maneuvers in a hostile jungle with the enemy forces all around. True life accounts from men serving in his command enhance the effectiveness of his command decisions. As one of his Platoon Leaders, I feel honored to have had the experience of serving with Colonel Haponski during some of the toughest battles the 1/4 Cavalry fought and won. This book is destined to be a great classic in the tactical deployment from squadron level command down to individual platoon deployment in the Vietnam War.
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