". . . one of the most honest and horrifying accounts of a combat 
solder's life to come out of the Vietnam War."—The New York 
Times Book Review

Lieutenant Michael Lee Lanning went to Vietnam as an eager young 
patriot who was confident of surviving the war. After six months in-
country, he was promoted at age 23 to company commander, and 
his sense of duty began to shift from his nation to preserving the 
lives of the men in Bravo Company.

    Lanning and his men faced an enemy who was patient, elusive, 
and firm in the belief that they could outlast the Americans. The 
young commander also confronted the prospect of sudden, violent 
death, bone-numbing weariness, and the stench of blood and 
decaying flesh. He would lose friends and would acquire a cynical 
contempt for all Vietnamese, both allies and enemies.

    Vietnam, 1969–1970, like its predecessor, Lanning's The Only 
War We Had, is taken from the journals the author kept during his 
tour of duty. He writes, "I dusted off men with wounds that will disable 
them for the rest of their lives. I dusted off a dead man that was one 
of the best soldiers I ever have known. I am realizing the full burdens 
of being a company commander."

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MICHAEL LEE LANNING was born in Sweetwater, Texas, and 
graduated from Texas A&M University in 1968. He retired from the 
U.S. Army in 1988, after having been awarded the Bronze Star with 
two oak-leaf clusters and numerous other decorations for his service 
in Vietnam.


Number 114: Texas A&M University Military History Series