“In the 30+ years since its conclusion, countless volumes have been crafted regarding the Vietnam War – not to mention movies, television specials, and documentaries. Most of the written and visual media have done a commendable job of exploring the logistical blunders and other revealing aspects of the war itself; however, very few of them have givenVietnam the same empathic human touch as “Saving Private Ryan” so famously did for World War II.Throughout the pages of Vietnam: No Regrets, author and Vietnam veteran J. Richard Watkins steps directly in the gap and fills that void in standout fashion. A heart-wrenching memoir recounted in an unfiltered, no-holds-barred manner, Vietnam: No Regrets takes the reader straight into the heart of one of the most controversial extended episodes in our nation’s history, painting the gruesome conflict in a graphic, vivid light – undeniably real and raw.Kendra Carroll, Apex Reviews_______________________________________This is your opportunity to share this once in a lifetime adventure. Are you ready to walk by my side, as my tour of duty in Vietnam unfolds? If so, then pick up your weapon and grab your gear, for we’re getting ready to move out in search of the enemy and I promise you this will be one year you will never forget.Great, now let’s move out!! J. Richard Watkins In the 30+ years since its conclusion, countless volumes have been crafted regarding the Vietnam War not to mention movies, television specials, and documentaries. Most of the written and visual media have done a commendable job of exploring the logistical blunders and other revealing aspects of the war itself; however, very few of them have given Vietnam the same empathic human touch as Saving Private Ryan so famously did for World War II. Throughout the pages of Vietnam: No Regrets, author and Vietnam veteran J. Richard Watkins steps directly in the gap and fills that void in standout fashion. A heart-wrenching memoir recounted in an unfiltered, no-holds-barred manner, Vietnam: No Regrets takes the reader straight into the heart of one of the most controversial extended episodes in our nation s history, painting the gruesome conflict in a graphic, vivid light undeniably real and raw. Kendra Carroll, Apex Reviews --Kendra Carroll, Apex Reviews Reviewer: Bill McDonald President of the MWSA I have been lucky enough over the last few years to have been associated with about dozen veterans from the old Wolfhounds. I have read several books about them now and I am becoming a strong believer that this was a special group of men. Author J. Richard Watkins writes his own memoirs from his tour of duty in Vietnam with the 1/27th Wolfhounds, 25th Infantry Division. He was there from late 1969 through 1970 and he chronicles his year long physical and emotional journey in his book "Vietnam - No Regrets: One Soldier s Tour of Duty." This is a grunt s eye view of the real war that took place in the jungles and the rice paddies of Nam during that time. It is not about some guy s imaged adventures in Saigon or some other in-country big base. This is about the guys who went out there for weeks at a time humping their equipment across the land in the heat and the rain. It is about the 10 percent of those who served in this war who saw combat and experienced warfare weekly. The author takes us out on patrol with him as a newbie and his first ambush. The mission was successful but they killed two children and an old man in the process. It takes its toll on our young soldier. Even this many years removed from that accident of fate he truly feels some spiritual and emotional pain, even though he did not personally fire a round, he knows he was part of the team. From this story, near the beginning of his book, we realize that there is more to this man s story than just details of events that he writes about. The book explores the thought processes that go on while out on patrol or on an ambush. It covers the Dear John letter from home and his friendship with his fellow Wolfhounds. There is a subtle emotional thread that runs throughout this book that makes Watkins very human and vulnerable. Readers will find themselves liking the men he writes about and will be able to feel their pain and joys as well. The book is well written. It is an honest portrayal of what life was like out in the field for the combat soldiers. The reader will feel at times that they are experiencing these events as first hand observers, as the author pulls us into the story with good descriptions and phrasing. This ranks as one of the best books out about the Vietnam War from an ordinary soldiers point of view. A must read book. The author has captured the essence of that experience and that time in our history! I enjoyed the book very much and could relate to what the Watkins talks about and where he was at. I believe that non-veterans will gain a lot of knowledge about that historic time and the men who were a part of it by reading this book. --Bil