The story of a young military policeman during his year tour in Vietnam, of how he survived the hell he faced, of the friendships he formed, and of the sorrow of lives lost.
June 1967 - As Vincent Torelli stepped off the plane at Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, he was almost overwhelmed by the stench in the hot, humid air. He still had a hard time realizing he was in Vietnam in the midst of a war. Drafted into the army five months earlier, he ended up becoming a Military Policeman assigned to the 557th MP Co., Long Binh Post just outside Bien Hoa City.
His year tour of duty changes him from a somewhat naive young man toa battle hardened veteran. Through unlucky chance, Vince becomes involved in the ferocious '68 Tet offensive, barely surviving the night. He sees and experiences things he could never have imagined before Vietnam.
Professional Reviews
An Excellent read!
ByDavid Wolfon December 3, 2016
Format: Paperback|
I ordered this book because I was an MP in Vietnam, however, the story is much more than that. It is about war, comradery, heroics, patriotism, duty,and full of emotions only known by those who have been in battle. The action is fast pace and the characters are true to life. The author puts the reader right smack dab in the fray of things - almost as if you were there. The dialogue is both somber and witty. The book is definitely a page turner. I was left with not only a nostalgic feeling, but the satisfaction of an excellent read! If you enjoy military history, action, intriguing characters or just an exciting book to read - buy this one. You won't be disappointed!!
An Excellent book
By Randy Mixter, March 21, 2012
Format: Paperback|
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about a military policeman's year in Vietnam. Having served in Vietnam in 1967 as an MP at Long Binh and Bien Hoa, I could easily relate to this story as it was being told. I found myself flashing back to my youth many times as I read John Schembra's novel. Gripping and well written, I found that once I began reading the book I could not put it down. You don't have to be a Vietnam vet to enjoy this book. This is an excellent novel about coming of age in a country torn by war, and I highly recommend it
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Reviews for "M.P."
Reviewed by S. McDonald
3/15/2006
Ahhhhhhhhhh, it brings back fond recollections of awakening most mornings with the smell of shit and JP4 burning together in the halved 55 gallon oil drum strategically placed near the headcounts table, wafting into the air, just behind the mess hall. Get a nice greasy ladle of that hot SOS tossed onto those dried C-Rat crackers, gulping it down with todays flavor of jungle juice before you hookup with that dumb as dogpuke pvt from Montana who is riding shotgun in the patrol jeep today. Dumbass actually believes the "QC" on the dinks black plastic helmet liner actually stands for Queer Chink.
Jeeese ohhh the memories...
Not a bad story from a "REMF"'s perspective. Though the infamous "LBJ" would have been better material than Abu Girab ever was. After all, the 18th Brigade in the Nam abused the crap out of GI inmates at LBJ much more than snappin a few pics of the enemy holding their nuts the current crop of MP's in Iraq got in trouble about.
But all in all not bad. Not great mind you(it certainly wasn't war and peace), but palatable as well as a tad reminiscent.
But I just don't see todays equivalant of Robert Duval making remarks about the smell of burning shit in the morning, when this gravy train imbiber splashes its pointy little head up on the big screen. but then thats Hollywood, and thats another story.
actually though, it might get a more realistic treatment in Bollywood! Can you imagine that?
