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Combat Medic: Men with Destiny - A Red Cross of Valor - Revised 2016 Kindle Edition

3.0 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

This book is dedicated to those men and women who fought in the Vietnam War and those family members who sacrificed it all for their country. It is also dedicated to all those who are MIA and KIA and is a recollection of the war experiences written by the author while he was assigned to the Americal Division in Chu Lai, 1967 - 1968 and attached to the 23rd Medical Battalion Headquarters Battalion.
This book is simply more than a war story. Each chapter details an assortment of assignments the author received during his tour of duty in South Vietnam, during the monsoon season and the troublesome years of the TET offensive that was launched that year and created what turned out to be a most significant event and almost cost the U.S. the war as it suffered record high wounded and fatalities as well as opposition and protests of these deaths, because the media brought the war into the living room. It does not delve into the political reasoning or the military strategies. It is simply a record of 365 days of hell in a strange country during wartime. These chapters are filled with different experiences from ‘line medics’ on ‘bush’ patrol assignment to the courage of those working the Dustoff/Medevac duties, riding with the armored cavalry, joining different search and destroy missions, recognizing brave military police actions and demonstrate the vulnerability of high risk convoys on highway 1.
It also personalizes the setting with photographs and memories, combat fatigue and PTSD before it was legitimately recognized as a mental illness. Additionally, there are short stories and how the concept of war is morally or socially acceptable under certain terms and ideologies. It touches briefly on the psychological drawback of survivor’s guilt syndrome, and the paradoxes of making war. It also dedicates a major explanation on the MEDCAP and other civic action programs the governments designed, developed and funded to win the hearts of the South Vietnamese peopleThis book is not for everyone – the target groups are Vietnam veterans and their families as well as others who are interested in this conflict’s history and who are willing to look at war from another perspective besides fighting and see how the war brought out the kindness in heart, promote religious commitment to peace and compassion for the innocent children, adults, and elderly.
The author tried to focus on the medic’s character, their courage, valor, integrity and the compassion of how they sanctified their honor during this war. It is after all is said, a personal diary of events that happened more than 50 years ago.
The author didn’t want to write a book about the ugliness of this war but rather, demonstrate the elements of war and show its impact on human beings, good and bad; and then rationalize why wars are fought to begin with even today.
During the Civil War, General Sherman alluded to the fact that “war is hell”; there is no doubt that after you read this book, the author’s point to awaken your morality and aroused conscious desires for peace and love for humanity. You will understand that the Vietnam War was more than battles, injuries and deaths. It was about people. Rather simplified, this war that was fought on all sides, created a moral conflict inside the head and hearts of those who fought there, experienced it and lived with these extreme conditions. This non-fictional novel is not filled with specific battles, brutality and horror. This prose is a mere presentation of raw literature and is an attempt to humanize the war into the reality it is for soldiers in battle and civilians caught on the battlefield. Added feature is an additional chapter on "Trauma of War" and the "Departure and Homecoming" of a soldier engaged and suddenly disengaged or displaced in a new environment. It is the graphic explanation of the homecoming that is a key to the PTSD treatment needed. .Also discussed are convoy truck drivers, military police escorts, ghosts & ambushes
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B014AVICIQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Carl R. ToersBijns (August 21, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 21, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 10.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 566 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.0 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

About the author

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Carl Toersbijns
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WAIVER - my writings are perspectives of a conservative nature with strong libertarian values. I respect liberalism as long as it is viewed in a non-political aspect of reality. Translated it means I can and will accept liberal ideologies as long as they are based on facts and God given values. I understand the concept of equality and justice and admit there isn't enough of it in our justice system as well as in our local and state judicial systems. I believe in the truth for all - not for myself showing that I rely on the truth from a scientific basis as well as God's natural laws. The Bible is the book of facts for me and I won't back down from that. I don't preach to anyone and I don't expect to be preached at by others. My moral values are based on my life's experience and fall withing the Ten Commandants. I am a Christian and I won't apologize for my faith in God, His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I have been baptized and acknowledge that faith, love and hope are excellent principles to live by as well as grace, forgiveness and justice can change the world if applied in a God-like manner without all the individual personal biases and bigotry that exists in today's world.

Realizing that I may offend someone I do apologize for being insensitive at times but not for my moral values. My moral compass is straight and I respect anyone else's opinion if they can explain them to me without arguing. Respect is a mutual combination of self and other. Both must exist in order for a positive relationship to work. I have always said that knowledge is public and not private. What is private is your inner self, your soul and your heart. I have also said that knowledge is power but that power should be applied to empower others to lead, mentor or guide people who want to excel in their endeavors. Growing up in Columbus Ohio, on the poor side of town, I experienced racism in the 60's and do not want that to be a repeat of history. I encourage all races, genders and all religious and not so religious persons to strike out their negativity and embrace life in a positive manner. Positivity breeds creativity and culture enhances your spirit and willingness to be the best you can be.

Let’s be honest, I am not your typical short story writer who sits down for months at a time and ponders on the first words of a book or novel. I don’t have a fancy study to write in or a luxuriously provided luscious green grass spread high up in the mountains or a far-out hard-to-reach remote cottage near a very remote hard to get to the beach to find my inner peace and begin to write a story. I may confuse you with my writing styles as they are hybrids of genres. I write on feelings; my emotions drives the pen. My head is easily influenced in the goodness of people as well as the evil. I write about the dark and the light side of life. A baptized Christian driven by the love of God, I try to instill the goodness in people and explain when there is darkness provoking the emergence of the light. The light is the wisdom possessed by faith. My balance is delicate but not in a political correctness way. It is not a kept secret. Anyone who has met me will know right away my faith is strong. I believe we are at the threshold of changes on this planet and some are climate driven and some are theological in nature. Both are strong forces to deal with but in reality, we must deal with them and others as they arise. My moral values or ledger is a moral conscience is in the black with some sin that brings me into the red but working on getting forgiveness. . A metaphor for the lifestyle I have chosen to live according to the moral values instilled by my deceased mother and father. Two people I admire the most.

I write among everyday people. I sit around them to hear their words, expressions, and emotions. I watch and listen to people and because of this, I find myself in tune with my environment. Neither politically correct nor a stiff collar shirt wearer, I prefer tee-shirts and shorts when walking around those places that inspire me to describe what I see, feel and hear. I am a creative and visionary person who defies some of those stiff rules of proper editing and storytelling.

I am independent of thoughts, emotions, and most of all my thoughts on life as it has impacted my life and the life of others.Some say that I speak as I write and get my words backward sometimes. That’s a flaw that came when I came to the United States as a Dutch Indonesian refugee and learned to speak English as my first language. Therefore, some of my books are awkwardly titled and sometimes controversial in content but they are all written for one purpose - to provoke you to think.

I am an American citizen, drafted in the Vietnam War, and performed my duties as a combat medic with integrity and honor as I was proud to serve with those who volunteered and drafted in this horrific and cruel war. Every award I earned is on my DD214 along with an honorable discharge from the US Army in 1973 after serving two years active duty and four years Army Reserves.

Some books are deliberately short and slightly twisted or dark. I strongly believe that mood and attitude drive the brain. I tried to stay away from profanity but in reality, it is indeed, a part of our daily lives and cannot or should not be filtered. Others are written to be brief and to the point for those who don't like long stories and have very little time or short attention spans (sarcasm) so I am the first to acknowledge my writings are different and with your help and reviews provided, I know I will do better and study or amend my books as they are written and read. The fact that I read my reviews is my way of studying what the reader wants, not what the author wants.

I read and take into consideration every review written and received, no matter how harsh these reviews may be as I am used to candidness, sarcasm, and open dialogues as a retired prison warden who has dealt with the "worst of the worst” society could lock up in prison and separate from our communities to serve their time. To be balanced in thoughts and spirit, I know there are injustices in every system out there and it will take time and a change in culture to change the toxicity and injustices to be minimized.

My skin is only as thick as the occasion calls for at the time of the encounter. As most will notice, these books don't conform to any style. They are usually not politically correct and are for those who call themselves 'free-thinkers.' It is my hope, you will challenge my thoughts with your own and challenge yourself to deal with these issues that we face in life together.

My writings whether fiction, non-fiction, and all other genre do not fall into a specific category -why? Because I write what I feel, and that's a flawed style today as all have to be perfect to please everyone. I understand that concept well. However, I write for myself and those who want to get to know me as a person or author. I am far from perfect, yet I want to express myself on my terms and those others understand without all the political correctness.

At the same time, when I do write and receive feedback, I always consider that feedback for the future or to revise or amend what I have already written. As a reader, you are my editor and you set the tone or tempo/mood for the books. For that, I am eternally grateful. I love people, I respect people and I recognize people like my family as we are all connected one way or another. I write to express what is on my mind. There are no formalities to my thought process. I am spontaneously writing down what I am thinking. My writings are sometimes raw, rude, crude and every other negative in the book business. They are, however, filled with passion, respect, dignity, and love for mankind and the human race. I believe we are all connected.

In my books, there are writings on love, hate, war, peace, wrath, and compassion. I write the reality of the world I live in. It's not a pretty world but it's the real world. I have lived with or around good people and bad people in my life.

At work, I was associated with liars, cheats, crooks, perverts, and the seriously mentally ill. I am a real person, not superficial but real. I dig for the truth of my life and the things that evolve or impact around me. On the other side of the coin, I write fictional and fantasy short stories to bring a lighter side of life to the reader. I enjoy people, animals, and nature. I strongly advocate for the mentally ill and I donate time and resources for this cause.

Lastly, I am an optimist as I see the glass always half full with lots of potential to improve my decision making, leadership skills and teamwork abilities. I don't have all the answers and those I do have come from a journey that was tangled up with hostilities, character assassinations, war filled with misery and despair and a hope to make tomorrow better for someone else who has impacted and improved my life as well as their own,

Customer reviews

3 out of 5 stars
13 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2016
    Disappointing read. A lot of repetition and boring.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2016
    Good story with an interesting perspective.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2015
    Good book
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • George Ros
    3.0 out of 5 stars Valuable but flawed
    Reviewed in Canada on August 1, 2018
    This book provides a great first-hand insight into the experiences of a Vietnam combat medic - a perspective that's not nearly appreciated enough. It's a largely unfiltered memoir, and there's no reason to doubt the author's honesty here - he does not sugarcoat his Vietnam experience, which he rightly recalls as hellish and often confusing. While some of the anecdotes might sound a bit far-fetched, they're consistent with a great deal of what's been written about the war, a truly strange and multi-dimensional episode of history. Stories like his are truly important for future generations to remember.

    Some of the most valuable details here are for historians and researchers, who are looking for details: the author goes through things like the contents of his kit, how these might have varied, the role of a medic in a combat squad or LRRP patrol, and procedures he may have followed saving lives. Another bit of valuable perspective here is that the author was not a soldier with a permanent assignment - but a replacement medic, meaning he took frequent short rotations with various units. This in itself challenges the classic "band of brothers" portrayal of war, of men who knew each other closely for a long time - but there's still no doubt that he was a brave and valued brother to those he worked with. There's a kind of unglamourized American professional grit here.

    So, what are the downsides? Well, the main one is that the book could really use a professional editor - and the writer is himself not a professional writer. As a result, the book is structured pretty loosely and can be difficult to follow; there are passages that repeat the same things over and over throughout the book. And while the author's criticisms of the US government and its conduct of the war, and remarks on the political and strategic situation, are certainly worth respecting - there are also a number of long diversions into these topics that may be just a little too long, repetitive and over-simplified. Again, it's understandable that the author, who speaks from the heart, is frustrated with how the war was (and is) treated by the politicians, locals, communist sympathizers, and the US civilian population - but as I'd said, he is neither a professional writer nor a professional historian; there are a myriad books that will cover this aspect better, and the long and sometimes emotionally-charged diversions into the context distract from the personal account.

    So, I would recommend this book mainly to historians looking for personal memoirs and insights on experiences of combat medics and replacement troops in Vietnam. The general public might find it a difficult read, however; it could really do with a professional editor to tighten up the structure and prose - and then it might shine. But as it stands, it's more of a specialist read right now.

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