Book Review: To Hear Silence - Second Edition
"To Hear Silence" paints an accurate portrayal of their experiences through a day-by-day and often a minute-by-minute account of these Marines' time together.
The book's Prologue covers the history of Vietnam from before the Second World War when it was part of the French Colonies until our government decided to stop funding the war.
The book then goes into the training these Marines went through for eight weeks before boarding ships and heading to Vietnam. On the way they hit Typhoon Ida with 200 mile-per-hour winds which caused major damage to the convoy. They then made their way to Okinawa and eventually Subic Bay in the Philippines where they were part of a Special Landing Force guarding the northern half of South Vietnam.
"To Hear Silence" then takes you into the details of their operations while in Vietnan, from Operation Chinook I and II, to Phu Bai, and then up to Khe Sanh and the battles near Con Thien.
Most of what Hoffman writes tells of the battles these brave young men fought both in their personal lives and in combat. These Marines fought through some of the harshest conditions of the war, from living in the field during the monsoonal rains to hacking their way through 10-foot razor-sharp 'elephant' grass in 100-plus-degree temperatures. It was his time as a Radio Operator (RTO) on a Forward Observer Team with Marine infantry units where he digs deep into his own emotions.
Hoffman provides great details on the many battles and attacks experienced during Charlie Battery's time in combat when four men were killed and many others wounded. He reminds the reader often on how these men stayed focused on trying to bring freedom to the Vietnamese people in spite of the hardships and the ever-present homesickness in a land of strange odors, bugs, snakes, leeches, C-Rations and constant danger.
In an interview, Hoffman recalled his feelings as he stood looking out at the area where Operation Chinook took place on his return to Vietnam. He said, "There's a lot of different silences in the world and one of them is looking at an old battlefield. For my wife, she was looking at a field, for me I could see the guns, the things going just like I was still there."
In his research for his book, Hoffman discovered at least 42 of the men from his unit had died since returning home, most because of Agent Orange. Hoffman himself has battled prostate cancer.
He's hoping his book inspires fellow Vietnam veterans to take the time to write some of their thoughts, feelings and what it was like to have been in combat before the memories are gone.
Recommend this book to all veterans, especially those Marines and Soldiers whose lives were undoubtably saved by the artillery support they received when the fighting got the toughest. Charlie Battery was there when artillery was most needed and according to Hoffman, they had 756 confirmed enemy kills and an unknown number who died from their wounds.
Ron dedicated his book to all the men he fought beside in Vietnam - and the mothers who waited for them to come home.
Reader Reviews
A first-person account of the Vietnam War. Unvarnished and true to life (and death). A "must-read" for everyone who thinks they know what war is like. Thank you, Ron, for your chronicle of Charlie Battery.
~Conrad
This book is an interesting read. It is not a rehash of the Vietnam War as told by historians, or politicians, or generals. It is the experience of a young man and his fellow marines as they dealt with jungle warfare. Hoffman tells his story well as he conveys to the reader his uncertainties and fears, and even adds some humor. I think this book will help those who did not serve in Vietnam, like myself, to understand the situation these young men faced and endured. This is an excellent book, and I highly recommend it.
~Tom873
About the Author
Ronald W. Hoffman worked for his father's construction company before joining the Marines and returned to the job until he started his own remodeling company. In 1976 he went to work for the Weyerhaeuser Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin starting as an Assistant Designer working his way up through Designer, Senior Designer, Lab Manager, and finally Product Development Manager. In 1995 he began his own consulting business and retired at age 55 due to advanced prostate cancer. He and his wife Nancy are currently living in Green Bay, WI. Hoffman has two grown children; Cassandra and Derrick.
Photo is the author on the right laying a wreath in the nation's capital in September 2014 during a reunion of Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion 13th Marine Regiment 5th Marine Division. A video of the ceremony can be found at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuAknYLV-nY
The Grass Swale: Living With Guilt, Depression, and PTSD
At the age of fifteen, Mickey loses his older brother, Larry, who is killed in a car accident; an accident that took split second timing for two cars to come in contact on a remote highway in rural Iowa. At age twenty, he arrives in Vietnam as a U.S. Marine Corps Infantryman.
"The Grass Swale" is a section of foot path in Vietnam that changes the lives of six Marines, including the author, who lives with the mental anguish and nightmares caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He had been told by a professional that he must be present during an event for it to cause PTSD. Witnessing a tragic or near death event most certainly can cause PTSD but so too can being near such an event. However, many Vietnam veterans have PTSD simply from being in a war zone where death could come at any minute from enemy rockets.
In Arnold Palmer's book, "A Golfer's Life", he describes an event while at Wake Forest, where his roommate and golf team member was killed in a car accident. He had been invited to go along by his roommate, but declined. He describes that event as a "shadow" in his life. Mickey's shadow has been darker, much darker. The fact he was not present when his friend Bucky hit the booby trap does not take the anxiety away; what effect has it had on his life, how could things have been different, what could he have done? It could have been him. Why wasn't it? Did it happen to him in another place or time?
"The Grass Swale" is a love story and follows the ups and downs of the narrator. There are moving descriptions of Larry and split-second decisions which weigh heavy, and there is the fighting in Vietnam. Anyone who romanticizes about war should read the first-hand accounts of life there during the war-years. The first-person narrator suffers from guilt, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, but most of the book talks about other things and is a diary-like chronicle of his family life, work and holidays. He lists many, many events, and I am sure he selects too comprehensively. None the less, his impressive list takes us through years of life in America with its ups and downs. He almost always seems to be changing jobs and moving. There is quite a surprise towards the end when his finances go bad, and he is called upon to fall back on post-traumatic stress disorder.
In his book, the author shares his life story with a sense of humor only those who know him can appreciate it.
Walk with Mickey down the grass swale. The trail will lead to a girl named Hope, and a love story begins.
Reader Reviews
War is an illness that you not only have to suffer through; it also offered a unique opportunity to re-identify with our past.
The Grass Swale is not just a real life story squeezed into Memoir of a Vietnam Veteran book, but above all, it is a touching and emotional story of America's Living History. It says that the most important things in people's lives, such as love and friendship, kindness and care cannot be seen or even touched, but just felt in the heart. It is a real journey into the depths of the human soul, which encourages people to reflect on their own attitudes and actions and tells them what simple pleasure makes you happy. One of the main messages of the book is the overall idea of the inevitability of life and death.
Fortunately, Mickey's book doesn't end in Vietnam, he is sent home and is expected to fit right back into the life he had before the war. However, Mr. Thomas goes through a phase of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, book talks mostly about family life, work, and holidays, including a truly personal place about his brother's death in a car accident. In other words, "The Grass Swale" is about the destiny of man who is indeed, "One of Us."
There is also the crucial question: "What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind as a person?" I'm positive that here you can find the answer to this question, and many others, and receive some advice.
~Igor Eliseev
I met Mickey and Hope several years ago while on vacation. Hope is a powerhouse of joy and love, and Mickey was obviously just crazy about her. But there was something haunting him and we did not talk about it at the time.
~Suzanne lipke
I met Mick in Marine Scout Sniper School in early 1970. Afterwards, we traveled to Vietnam, where we departed into separate units. It is tough for this Vietnam veteran to read books on the war, although I have read plenty. This is due to the inaccuracies and hyperbole that veterans tend to input. It was refreshing to read accounts of the war as I remember them. Mick truly tells it like it is. No exaggerations, no B/S! He endured one of the Infantryman's toughest assignments in this steamy hot and humid climate, humping a radio, in addition to the substantial weight of other grunt gear and ammo. A war's radioman is the vital link between isolated units and support. Our missions launched us into jungles, rain forests, mountains, rice paddies, and even behind enemy lines (Mick writes about the mission "Scott Orchard" that sent us behind enemy lines in Laos to rescue POW's). The radioman directs tactical air requests (call for fire), medevac requests, pilots' briefings - both chopper and fighter planes, and simple everyday ration and supply orders.
It took nearly 45 years for me to reconnect with my old friend from sniper school. I was delighted to find that he had written a book about his life before, during, and after Vietnam. This is a great book, well written and interesting. It deserves the five stars that I give to it and that the many others have also.
~ David C. Gerhardt
Excellent book- I would highly recommend it! This book is emotional and takes you through the ups and downs of life. The author's personality really shines through his writing. He has a dry, sarcastic sense of humor, but then he also holds nothing back during some of the tougher segments like the Vietnam War and losing his brother, Larry. I think his story is probably not unique and that a lot of Vietnam vets, or veterans in general, could really relate to the topics he touches on. The most compelling theme in this book was how his life experiences really affected and shaped the lives of his wife and family. After all he had been through, he was still able to love and lead a happy life, and while never forgetting his brother or the war he lived through.
~Sarah Smile
About the Author
Mickey was born on August 15, 1950, in Colfax, Iowa. He and his two brothers, Larry and Alan, grew up on various farms in Story and Jasper counties. When Mickey was 15 his older brother, Larry, was killed in a car accident. Larry had asked Mickey if he wanted to go with him that night but Mickey declined; a decision he will forever regret. Later Mickey joined the Marine Corps and served a tour in Vietnam as a grunt.