We Were Soldiers Once...and Young

We Were Soldiers Once… and Young by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and Joseph L. Galloway is a non – fiction memoir of the battle of La Drang. Joseph Galloway, the only journalist on the ground throughout the fighting, helped Moore write the book 25 years after the battle. Moore led the 1st battalion, 7th cavalry into the La Drang.  With courage and leadership, Moore led his men into the battle that would change the war in Vietnam.           

In November 1965, some 450 men of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, were dropped by helicopter in the La Drang Valley.  Moores’ men were soon surrounded by over 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers.  They were outnumbered 4 to 1 and when a sister battalion was massacred only a few miles away, the war became very real for Moore’s men. Moore led his men courageously through the battle. Without his leadership, the battle would have had a much more catastrophic result.

This is a great action packed book. The book is very descriptive making it feel as though the chaos of war is right in your hands. The book also shows the effect of war to the home front which is often a view that’s not often seen amidst the wartime. This a must read for war fanatics as it shows the true sacrifices during war.

Book Review by Nick T.