Prodigals: A Vietnam Story

Richard Taylor

Nov 2003 · Casemate

About this ebook

During his first tour in Vietnam - 1967-68 - Dick Taylor was a well trained and highly motivated amateur assigned to advise a hard-bitten ARVN 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 Tet 1968, 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 - 1970-71 - 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.

This well-written combat memoir is heartfelt, earnest, honest and just a little melancholy.

About the author

Colonel Richard Taylor was an original member of the first modern ranger battalion. He also commanded an infantry training battalion, served with the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada, directed an academic department at the Army's Staff College, provided military advice to NATO's arms control negotiations during the break up of the Warsaw pact, and was the Chief of Military Assistance in the Philippines during the closing of bases there. Taylor earned two Masters degrees from Boston University. He lives in the Atlanta area with his wife Sandy.