Casualties of War

David Hollar shares memories of his time as an infantry lieutenant in South Vietnam. He and his men endured the jungle's heat, bugs, mosquitoes, snakes, swamps, rice patties, monsoon rains, and the endless grind of being a "grunt" in Vietnam. As a platoon leader at the age of 25, he was responsible for the lives and welfare of 30 young soldiers. Lt. Hollar's battalion headquarters was located at Dau Tieng about 45 miles northwest of Saigon, and in the Michelin Rubber Plantation as part of the First Infantry Division. David was a member of the 90-man Bravo Company, and he was the second platoon leader.Lt. Hollar served seven months in jungle combat where the enemy was hidden and elusive. His days there included long periods of boredom interrupted by episodes of horrifying terror and fear.