Publisher's Synopsis
U.S. military and civic action programs in weakly institutionalized societies, such as Vietnam and Afghanistan, have been central to U.S. foreign policy over the past half-century. These have been among the most costly expenditures in the U.S. federal budget and may have important national security consequences. Yet rigorous evidence about how different expenditures influence security, governance, civic engagement, and economic outcomes -- in the short and long run -- remains limited.
The reader is given a glimpse into the lives and careers of two Marines whose friendship is cemented by the bonds of combat. Rich Risner and Dick Petterson knew each other at the start of both their careers. By chance, they were reunited in Vietnam in 1967, and together they began to mold the Civic Action Team that the author later joined in early 1968. The Civic Action program involved working with the surrounding villages and their leaders in a pacification effort. The idea was that if the Marines could win the hearts and minds of the people, they would deny sanctuary to the enemy. Using trial and error and the vision of Risner, the reputation and accomplishments of the Team made them very popular with the local populace and high on the target list of the enemy. Hays gives the reader a ringside seat at the ambush attempt on Risner and Petterson. In a heroic response to a totally unexpected attack by Viet Cong Tiger Guerillas, the author explains how their actions merited awarding of medals for Valor as well as the Purple Heart. With only two weeks left to finish on his tour of duty, while leading a mission into a suspected hostile village that was occupied by the enemy at night, Major Risner experiences the ultimate terror of combat. He gives the reader a front-row seat as he tells of Risner's harrowing ordeal calling upon his determination, bravery, and cunning leading to a surprising ending. This book is the story of how in the midst of an unpopular war, considered unjust by many, there were many good Americans trying to bring freedom and peace to a nation that enjoyed neither.
