A Taste of War
An Infantry Platoon Leader’s
Recollections of a Year in Vietnam
By William H. Powell - First Printing May 2006 - Second printing anticipated Spring 2007
ISBN Number 0-9771403 1-8
The Vietnam War left physical and emotional scars on thousands of military families. Over 304,000 United States military personal were wounded in action. Over 48,000 paid the ultimate price with their life fighting for a country they loved.
A Taste of War appeals to the military veteran who remembers the experience or the person who simply wants to view the war through the eyes of a veteran who lived it.
Memories of a Vietnam Veteran - Sharing the loneliness, uncertainties, leadership challenges, boredom, and a small taste of the horrors of war, Powell reluctantly recalls calling artillery fire upon the enemy and the never-to-be-forgotten sounds of bullets whizzing by and of jet aircraft streaking overhead to save the lives of his men.
From his first night to his last days in Vietnam, routine assignments suddenly became life threatening. Time and time again, death stalked. Yet time and time again, the men of the Second Platoon faced death and rode away. Death was not to be denied. One day and in seconds, 10 men of the Second Platoon began their journey home in a flag-draped coffin.
What Others Say about This Book
“A Taste of War is a story that needs to be told. Powell shows us that even a small taste of war is horrible. I pray that this book and other similar recollections will cause world leaders to think twice before starting the mad rush to war and the death and destruction it brings.”
Jesse M. Coker, EdD, Second Lieutenant U.S. Army Author of My Unforgettable Memories of World War II
I read “A Taste of War” in one sitting so I was up until 2am. It was emotionally moving and intellectually stimulating. It clearly paints the pictures without being overly crude or gory.”
Paul Kirpes, - Des Moines Iowa.
Reading “A Taste of War” took about three hours. It is, indeed, "a real page turner". I think is should be required reading for high school seniors. Scott Comiskey – Rogers Arkansas,
I was there in Vietnam and yet I could not put it down. I’m buying copies for my friends.”
Heath Brown, San Diego CA – USN (Retired) Silver Star - Valor.
“Taste of War” is powerful; it drew me in and made me feel as if I was right in the thick of things. Ralph Walden – Topeka Kansas
“A Taste of War” gives a real feel for the grit, grime, sweat and nastiness of war and, reveals a seldom thought about fact: A soldier can agonize over his killing of an enemy combatant.Charles Stuckey, Fayetteville Arkansas.
We bought copies of “A Taste of War” to share with our volunteers. It lets us all feel a small sample of the horror that is war.” The Dallas Peace Institute.
To have a first hand account of war from a guy I know is pretty awesome. Many of his experiences were quite harrowing, despite his self-admittedly short time of combat. The stress, the emotions War is just awful ... simply horrible. Cameron Maddux – Tiburon Calafornia.
read "A Taste of War" on our trip to Sweden and I read every word. I hadn’t realized the "hell" of it all, no one can know, unless they "live it". Lee Zmolek - Newton Iowa.
“My father served in the US Army on the front lines in the Korean War and can't bring himself to talk about it. Reading "A Tate of War" helped me to know a little bit of what went through and why it is so difficult for him to make himself remember and share what he went through.” Jeri Morrison, Bella Vista Arkansas.
About the Author
William H. Powell, MA, CFRE was raised in Kansas City, MO. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, he entered graduate school at the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
For five years, he and his wife, Marilyn, were house parents and worked with troubled teenage boys. He served as CEO of Class, Ltd. in Kansas and Progress Industries in Iowa for a total of 28 years.
During his career, he developed expertise in fund-raising and nonprofit leadership. He now consults part time and he and Marilyn now reside in Bella Vista, Arkansas.
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