In August 1987, RKO Studio Pictures released ‘Hamburger Hill‘, a Vietnam War era film that recreated “Operation Apache Snow” (May 10, 1969 – June 7, 1969) and focused on the battle on Hill 937 in the A Shau valley known by infantrymen as the “Valley of Death”. The film is gritty, the deaths are gory and by the movie’s conclusion, the concept that war is hell on earth is firmly implanted in the viewer’s mind. However, viewers may not know that there was a second battle being waged at the same time on Hill 367 near Tam Ky. But this mission was called “Operation Lamar Plain” (May 15, 1969 – August 14, 1969) and remained hidden from the public for over fifty years. Lt. Ed Sherwood (Ret.) served in the 101st Airborne Division known as the “Screaming Eagles”, and experienced combat firsthand. And though he was evacuated before the battle’s conclusion due to a significant wound, he made it a goal to set the record straight regarding the battle no one back in America discussed.

As I began the story, I could not help but feel surprised that this battle is absent from books and films on the Vietnam War. In fact, I have watched Ken Burns’ docuseries ‘The Vietnam War‘ and do not recall anything focusing on Operation Lamar Plain or the troops who fought on Hill 367. I found it hard to believe that no one had heard of this battle. I soon learned that was not the case at all, and Sherwood explains towards the end of the book exactly why the public did not learn of the second operation taking place in the Valley of Death. The events on Hamburger Hill are discussed early in the book and Sherwood clears up any confusion that his book is about that battle. But more importantly, he also explains why the A Shau valley was so critical to both sides. It was an essential part of the Ho Chih Minh trail, an extensive network of pathways, routes and tunnels used by the NVA to move supplies. American military commanders know that the trail is critical to NVA operations and any effort to defeat North Vietnam must include destruction or seizure of the supply network. But the Vietnamese were not going away without a fight. And both sides know that a deadly battle lurks in the distance. But before we reach that point, there are other things taking place on the American side, explained by Sherwood as to why the rotation of personnel could be dangerous.

Eventually, Operation Lamar Plain arrives and two men stand out as the soldiers whose actions will help decide the fate of the battle. Captain Leland Roy and Lt. Paul Wharton. Their stories are surreal and a testament to the courage and commitment both men had to their unit and their mission. Sadly, there were significantly casualties suffered the 101st as the battle raged. Sherwood takes us through each day in chronological order with a listing of those killed or missing in action, and those awarded for their actions on the battlefield. I could not help but notice that the average ages of troops were between 19 and 22 years of age. I was disturbed at knowing some of those young men were not old enough to buy a drink in bar but were commander soldiers in life and death situations. And even darker, some of those same men, went to Vietnam and did come back alive. The subject of death and how it is managed is also discussed and there are no words to describe it. Rather, Sherwood sums it up perfectly as a former infantryman. As we learn in the book, the troops did not see themselves as heroes, they simply wanted to do their job and come home alive and in one piece.

Before I continue, I want to pay homage to a woman whose name I did not know before reading this book. She was Lt. Sharon Ann Lane (1943-1969) who was the only female servicewoman killed during combat in the Vietnam War. The circumstances surrounding her death are contained in the book and I also found myself in shock that I had never heard of her death in Vietnam related material.

As the time moves by, Sherwood also includes a list of things taking place back in America or “the world” as troops call it. It is nostalgic and older readers will have vivid memories of that era. But that nostalgia fades quickly as a new day begins and more blood is spilled. But I also noticed the discipline in which troops operated highlighting the necessity for teamwork and precision planning to be an effective combat unit. The men are tired, hungry, and scared but they continue to fight and eventually, the NVA breaks formation on Hill 367. The tide of the battle changes but the physical and mental scars will remain for the troops in the 101st on Hill 367. But if the battle was a success, why was it hidden? Well, Sherwood explains that:

“Once Operation Lamar Plain was successfully kept from the media, war protestors, and political adversaries, there was no benefit to the Military Assistance Command Vietnam, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or the Nixon administration to disclose that a major battle with high casualties had been hidden from the American people.”

There are countless books, articles, and podcasts on why the American war effort in Vietnam failed in forcing Hanoi’s surrender. That is a discussion is for another time. Here, the focus is on the Hill 367 and the men who gave their lives in service of their country. Sherwood has captured their story for infinity in a book that should be included in all libraries containing material related to the Vietnam War. After finishing this book, I have an even higher level of respect and understanding for what soldiers experienced in Vietnam and why my uncle has rarely discussed that part of his life. Their memories are haunted by death, destruction, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (“PTSD”), exposure to Agent Orange and other dark aspects of armed conflict the public pays little attention to.  As Sherwood says, the next time you see a combat veteran, say “remember our fallen”.

“My greatest satisfaction in researching and writing Courage Under Fire was reconnecting over four decades later with veterans from my former 101st unit. Many have become close friends. Also important was finally letting the veterans of Tam Ky (and their families) learn of the battle they valiantly fought so long ago. ” – Lt. Ed Sherwood (Ret.) 

ASIN‏: B0916J8PHV