{"product_id":"vietnams-forgotten-army-heroism-and-betrayal-in-the-arvn","title":"Vietnam's Forgotten Army: Heroism and Betrayal in the ARVN","description":"\u003cp\u003e2009 Society for Military History Distinguished Book Award for Biography  Examines South Vietnams complex relationship with the United States through the stories of two Vietnamese soldiers diverging paths  Vietnams Forgotten Army: Heroism and Betrayal in the ARVN chronicles the lives of Pham Van Dinh and Tran Ngoc Hue  two of the brightest young stars in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). Both men fought with valor in a war that seemed to have no end  exemplifying ARVN bravery and determination that is largely forgotten or ignored in the West. However  while Hue fought until he was captured by the North Vietnamese Army and then endured thirteen years of captivity  Dinh surrendered and defected to the enemy  for whom he served as a teacher in the reeducation of his former ARVN comrades.  An understanding of how two lives that were so similar diverged so dramatically provides a lens through which to understand the ARVN and South Vietnams complex relationship with Americas government and military. The lives of Dinh and Hue reflect the ARVNs battlefield successes  from the recapture of the Citadel in Hue City in the Tet Offensive of 1968  to Dinhs unheralded role in the seizure of Hamburger Hill a year later. However  their careers expose an ARVN that was over-politicized  tactically flawed  and dependent on American logistical and firepower support. Marginalized within an American war  ARVN faced a grim fate as U.S. forces began to exit the conflict. As the structure of the ARVN\/U.S. alliance unraveled  Dinh and Hue were left alone to make the most difficult decisions of their lives. Andrew Wiest weaves historical analysis with a compelling narrative  culled from extensive interviews with Dinh  Hue  and other key figures. Once both military superstars  Dinh is viewed by a traitor by many within the South Vietnamese community  while Hue  an expatriate living in northern Virginia  is seen as a hero who never let go of his ideals. Their experiences and legacies mirror that of the ARVNs rise and fall as well as the tragic history of South Vietnam.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44964119445557,"sku":"ByrdShop_0814794106","price":35.48,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780814794104.jpg?v=1770449774","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/vietnams-forgotten-army-heroism-and-betrayal-in-the-arvn","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}