Life of a Skytrooper in Vietnam
By Joshua and Wilbur Bowe
The father/son energy of the co-authors works very well within the pages of this book. Joshua and Wilbur Bowe take the reader on a journey with visual words and muted emotions through a tour of duty during the war in Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. The reader can well picture what had happened there. Shared with a well-written narrative, historic background notes, and commentary aided by the addition of old letters sent home from that war. The personal letters add a very human element to the retelling of that life experience. Emotionally well done! The authors hit the target!
As a Vietnam veteran myself during the same time frame of the war, I found the book both credible and historically factual. I enjoyed it. I think there is a more broad appeal beyond just readers of war genre—a good history book told from the point of view of those who were there and well worth having on my bookshelf.
Bill McDonald, MWSA (April, 2019)
The Ground You Stand Upon: Life of a Skytrooper in Vietnam is a work of non-fiction in the military history, memoir, and slice-of-life genres. It is best suited to adult readers owing to moderate graphic content and some strong language throughout. Penned by author team Joshua E. Bowe and Wilbur E. Bowe, this gripping memoir recounts the harrowing experiences of Will Bowe and his comrades from the 1st Air Cavalry Division in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Drafted in 1965, Will finds himself thrust into the midst of the escalating conflict, undergoing training to become a ‘skytrooper’ and flying into jungle battlefields by helicopter. The book, based on classified staff journals and military records, chronicles Alpha Company's journey through rice fields, villages, and mountains, supplemented with Will's letters and photographs sent home from the frontlines.
Author team Joshua E. Bowe and Wilbur E. Bowe have worked together beautifully to craft a profoundly moving experience, offering a poignant glimpse into the realities of war through the eyes of Will and his fellow soldiers. The work meticulously weaves together firsthand accounts, military documents, and personal correspondence to paint a vivid picture of the Vietnam War, and it is exceedingly well-organized in the way it delivers content. The narrative that binds all this information together is smooth and warm, vividly capturing the camaraderie, humor, and sorrow experienced by those who served and revealing the complexities of combat and the toll it takes on individuals and communities. Through the voices of veterans and their loved ones, the book honors the sacrifices made and the resilience shown in the face of adversity. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Ground You Stand Upon for fans of historical accounts but also readers who appreciate a heartfelt tribute to the courage and spirit of those who served their country.
K.C. Finn, Readers’ Favorite (March, 2024)
Midwest Book Review
Wilbur E. Bowe lived on the family farm until he was drafted in 1965, assigned to serve in the 5/7th Cavalry in Vietnam. He and his fellow unit men would become “skytroopers,” trained in airmobile infantry, to be dropped into the Central Highlands of Vietnam to face their enemy.
The Ground You Stand Upon: Life of a Skytrooper in Vietnam differs from many Vietnam memoirs in that it includes not just Wilbur Bowe’s perspective, but supplements his experience with interviews of former skytroopers who also served in Alpha Company. It uses their letters, journals, and memories to recreate the daily experience of very young men who became pivot points in many major battles.
From navigating forests and mountain passes to becoming acclimated to the relentless sounds of battle, the authors capture the experience of Vietnam’s sights, sounds, and people as few other memoirs can achieve. This feel is due, in part, to The Ground You Stand Upon’s strong attention to detail and approach to juxtaposing the atmospheric descriptions of those who, if they survived, often distinguished themselves during battle. These are the real heroes of the war: the unsung troops devoted to duty and their fellow military men who would write home to tell of their experiences.
Letters, photos, and intimate portraits of those who survived (and others who did not) create a warmly involving account that brings the Vietnam War to life. Readers of Vietnam history accounts looking for a “you are there” feel will find no better pick than The Ground You Stand Upon, which brings to life a combat tour in Vietnam and the courage of officers and infantrymen alike. The letters add further connections between soldiers in the field and loved ones at home, expanding the story’s scope, approach, and coverage.
D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review (September, 2019)
An amazing true story of a father’s war seen through the eyes of his son.
It’s a massive project to take on: writing the book of your father’s time during the Vietnam War. Joshua Bowe knew this, but he still managed to create a successful, eye-opening piece of work that veterans and civilians can both learn from and appreciate. The Ground You Stand Upon: Life of a Skytrooper in Vietnam narrates his father’s time in the war with thoughtful research, letters, and first-hand accounts in a way that makes you feel like you were there.
When Wilbur Bowe (Will) is drafted into the army in 1965, he feels ready to get in on the action. Through the letters he writes his family, we can feel the excitement coming off of this 20-year-old who still thinks of war as a game. But throughout his two years of service, we follow Will as his mindset changes. He makes friends who broaden his horizon. He learns what it means to be there for people and to take each day as it comes. But each friend’s passing brings him further away from his former reality. As his innocence is lost, perspective is gained.
This book is heavy. Joshua Bowe brings people to life on the page with intricate details, succeeding in making them feel like your own childhood friends. You’ll laugh at their jokes and worry for them, because you’ll truly care. Reading this book had me both optimistic and nervous, hoping that everyone I got to know would have the happy ending they deserve. But regardless of how much we like spending time with Will and his friends, the Vietnam War still has many casualties.
When it comes to the death of these men, there’s rarely rhyme or reason. Someone gets transferred to another unit. They drop to the ground a little too slowly. Some are even doing everything correctly. Still, it happens. With this book, all of their stories get to live on. We get to know their mothers and children. We read their letters and feel their homesickness. We know how they want to get home and how they try to get out of it. The truth of this book will linger long after reading it.
“Seems funny, all these years I read about these people in geography class and here I am seeing it for real.”
The back and forth between father and son narratives makes for an easy and entertaining read. Luckily, Will Bowe’s letters are both chronological and extremely personable. He’s a likable person to follow around and root for.
Nearly all of his letters are written to his family, so they stay flowery and without much talk of combat. We get mostly the side stories from him: the terrible weather, the friendships, the things he so desperately misses. And from his son Joshua, we get the reality. He fills in the gaps between those letters with extensive research and accounts from people who were there. There are so many details that must have taken a ton of work to retrieve, and it paid off with this book.
Jaylynn Korrell, Independent Book Review (September, 2019)