Description
Book Synopsis Eleven high school friends in idyllic North Adams, Massachusetts, enlisted to serve in Vietnam, and one stayed behind to protest the war. All were from patriotic, working-class families, all members of the class of 1965 at Saint Joseph''s School. Dennis Pregent was one of them. He and his classmates joined up--most right out of school, some before graduating--and endured the war''s most vicious years. Seven served in the Army, three in the Marine Corps, and one in the Navy. After fighting in a faraway place, they saw the trajectories of their lives dramatically altered. One died in combat, another became paralyzed, and several still suffer from debilitating conditions five decades later. Inspired by his 50th high school reunion, Pregent located his classmates, rekindled friendships, and--together, over hours of interviews--they remembered the war years.
Trade ReviewA compelling true story of high school classmates, the Vietnam War, and the complexities of life thereafter,
The Boys of St. Joe's '65 in the Vietnam War recounts the valor of these brave American heroes who, having worn our nation's uniform with honor and dignity overseas, returned to a country mired by protests, mistreatment, and something far less than a hero's welcome. If you haven't thanked a Vietnam veteran for his or her service, you'll want to do so after reading this book."—Senator Bob Dole
"Dennis Pregent, a Vietnam veteran, has done a superb job in writing about a small group of service members who grew up together and served their country with honor."—John C. "Doc" Bahnsen, Retired Army Brigadier General and co-author of
American Warrior: A Combat Memoir of Vietnam.
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments vi
- Corps Tactical Zones ix
- U.S. Armed Forces—Organizational Structure xi
- Military Occupational Specialties xiii
- Part I: My Vietnam
- 1. Introduction: The Boys of St. Joe's '65 1
- 2. When Memory Invades 9
- 3. A Boy's Life in the Berkshires 14
- 4. Boot Camp, Parris Island 25
- 5. First Tour: Okinawa/Vietnam, 1967–1968 35
- 6. Second Tour: Quantico/Vietnam, 1968–1971 54
- Part II: Their Vietnam
- 7. Mike Gorman—Army Helicopter Crew Chief/Gunner 69
- 8. Russell Roulier—Marine Infantryman 82
- 9. Joe Daigneault—Marine Infantryman 95
- 10. Ron Racine—Army Mortarman 110
- 11. Pat Lupo—Army Mechanized Infantryman 127
- 12. Leo Chaput—Army Infantryman, Medic 141
- 13. Mike Chalifoux—Army Mechanized Infantryman 156
- 14. William "Bill" Buzzell—Army Artillery Unit 168
- 15. Gary DeMastrie—Navy, Brown Water Sailor 180
- 16. Jim Luczynski—Army Infantryman 192
- 17. Carol Bleau Boucher—War Protester 207
- Epilogue 217
- Appendix: Guide to Terms and Abbreviations 223
- Index 227
