2021
Hello ,
The reviews are coming in for Close-Up On War. It's nerve-wracking!
I'm caught between hoping they will be great and fearing they won't be. I aspire to the middle way but find it elusive.
Yesterday, I was jumping for joy. (Using Catherine Leroy's words when she got news she would jump into combat with the 101st Airborne.)
My book has been awarded a ⭐starred review by Kirkus⭐. This is one of the very best things that can happen to a book, and I am sincerely grateful for your support throughout the process of research and writing Catherine's
story!
See the review in the news section below! But first this week's featured story.
In December 1966, Vietnamese guerilla soldiers attacked the major US airbase in South Vietnam, Tân Sơn Nhứt.
US Air Force sentry dogs and their handlers formed the first line of defense. They sounded the warning and counter attacked. Within minutes, three sentry dogs gave their lives, and their handlers fell wounded.
Hero War Dog Saves Handler's Life
The U.S. military deployed an unknown number of dogs to Vietnam and Thailand during the conflict. They didn't start keeping official records until 1968 when the dogs had numbers tattooed in their left ears to identify them, similar to a GI’s serial number.
These registered war dogs numbered 3,700. The three dogs who died in the 1966 attack mentioned above, and our hero Nemo were not among them. They and their handlers had arrived in January 1966 and were assigned to the 377th Security Police Squadron stationed at Tân Sơn Nhứt Air Base.
Below: Nemo arrived in Vietnam with his handler Airman Leonard Bryant, Jr.
Six months later, Nemo's original handler rotated home and the dog partnered with 22-year-old Airman 2nd Class Robert Thorneburg.
The German Shepherds sent to Vietnam saved many human lives, though few of the dogs returned home. They included scout dogs, tracker dogs, sentry dogs and detective dogs, who discovered mines, booby traps and enemy tunnels.
US security police put down the guerrilla attack at airport December 4, 1966, before any significant damage occurred to aircraft, runways or structures. But when the perimeter was secured, an unknown number of rebel soldiers remained hiding out in the wider area.
That night, Thorneburg and Nemo went on patrol about a quarter mile from the air base's runways. Nearing an old Vietnamese graveyard, Nemo caught a scent or sound and alerted his partner. Before Thorneburg had time to radio for help, enemy fire erupted.
Thorneburg released his dog and then charged firing into the enemy. Nemo was shot and wounded, the bullet entering under his right eye and exited through his mouth. Thorneburg killed one VC before he too was shot in the shoulder and knocked to the ground.
According to the US War Dog Heritage Museum, Thorneburg released his dog and then charged firing into the enemy. Nemo was shot and wounded, the bullet entering under his right eye and exited through his mouth. Thorneburg killed one [rebel soldier] before he too was
shot in the shoulder and knocked to the ground.
Despite his own head wound, Nemo charged the shooting guerrillas and gave Thorneburg the few moments he needed to radio for help. Eventually, the seriously wounded dog crawled back to where his partner lay on the ground and protected the airman with his own body.
Even after help arrived Nemo would not allow anyone to touch Thorneburg. Finally separated, both were taken back to the base for medical attention.
Below: Nemo's wounds examined.
The veterinarian assigned to care for the security dogs at Tân Sơn Nhứt saved Nemo's life, in addition treating him with a
number of skin grafts to restore head and face. Even though Nemo had lost sight in one eye, he went back to perimeter duty.
Below: Airman Bob Thorneburg, recuperating from his wounds gets together with his pal for the first time since the attack.
Nemo's partner, however, needed evacuation to Tachikawa Air Base in Japan to recover from his wounds and the two members of the 377th Security Police Squadron had to say goodbye.
Airman Thorneburg fully recovered and returned home with honors. Followed by his faithful canine companion in June,1967. Nemo was the first-ever US military sentry dog retired from active service.
Nemo was honored as a war hero in cross country and television appearances in a campaign to recruit more war dogs, then settled down in a permanent kennel at
Department of Defense Dog Center, Lackland AFB, Texas.
Below: a sign with his name, serial number, and details of his Vietnam heroic exploit designated his freshly painted home.
I'm sorry, I can't reconcile the conflicting information about the Vietnam War dogs first being officially tracked in 1968, and Nemo having a serial number in 1966. Perhaps it was an "unofficial" serial number.
Nemo died in December 1972 at age 11. He continues to be honored with hero status today. Most military dogs who served in Vietnam were not so lucky. The mantra “no man left behind” did not apply to the dogs fighting alongside the men. You can read more on there here: No Room on the Chopper.
Many of the heroes of the Vietnam war never received appreciation from the American public because the country turned against Vietnam War policy. Public opinion changed for good reason.
But the young boys drafted to fight in Vietnam should not have borne the brunt of American anger. Our elected and military leaders lied about the war, leading to unnecessary death and destruction.
Returning Vietnam Veterans became scapegoats for American's disgust over US policy and military action. Many still live among us, unacknowledged, waiting for their welcome home.
And that brings me to one reason I am incredibly proud of the starred review for Close-Up On War. Telling the story of photojournalist Catherine Leroy, it was incredibly difficult to include information about a complicated war and a complicated era in American history, all the while keeping the story centered on Catherine, quick-paced and accurate. See the
full review below!
Sources
https://uswardogsheritagemuseum.org/nemo/
https://www.historynet.com/the-plight-of-the-military-working-dogs-in-vietnam.htm
And now for my wonderful news!!!! My favorite part of the review is highlighted.
★ CLOSE-UP ON WAR ★
The Story of Pioneering Photojournalist Catherine Leroy in Vietnam
Author: Mary Cronk Farrell
The story of a young Parisian woman who overcame gender barriers to take groundbreaking battlefront photographs during the Vietnam War.
Following the advice of famous combat photographer Robert Capa, Catherine Leroy was determined to get close to the action in Vietnam after being inspired by photos in French newspapers. In February 1966, at the age of 21, she arrived in Saigon as a freelancer, forging ahead despite her lack of experience.
As she proved herself, Leroy was able to travel with and document troops as they moved through the harsh jungle conditions, staying alert for mines and booby traps. She received exclusive access to the first paratroop mission in Vietnam, parachuting with the troops and taking pictures all the way down. Her intimate photographs resonated around the world as they showed the vulnerability and sacrifice of young soldiers as well as the suffering of
Vietnamese civilians.
Farrell offers an insightful, well-researched, and detailed account of Leroy’s achievements as well as an overview of the history of Vietnam, the impact of the military conflict on Vietnamese people, and Americans’ changing perceptions of the war. Leroy’s letters and vivid examples of her photography enrich the work. This excellently written account will leave readers marveling
at Leroy’s determination, bravery, and disregard for her own safety as she documented what was happening in Vietnam.
A riveting biography that puts an overlooked, award-winning female photojournalist into historical context. ~Kirkus Reviews
The book is available for preorder here:
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