Movies on the Vietnam war usually show the reality of being a combat soldier in the conflict. Pachyderms by Danny Buoy is based on a true story. This is the story of one soldier’s experience as a support soldier that shows a different side of the conflict. Arriving for a first military assignment, Dan Coobat is shocked to discover his first duty post is one to a yet to be developed aviation unit. With little training and meeting stiff obstacles, Coobat and his new friends set about to create the 312th Aviation Company. Danny quickly discovers different rules, with one being: “What the soldier sees or hears is not necessarily what the soldier gets.” Eventually, Danny is faced with an even tougher battle...

I read this story with great interest. I was an 18-year-old in 1966 and was also 'dazed and confused' with my enlistment. I can relate to many of Coobat's feelings and fears. The story is broken down into different parts, from Coobat’s first look at his new assignment to his service in Vietnam and his return to “the world.” The author’s characterization of his comrades and superiors is first rate. Most everyone that served has had a mentor and leader like Sergeant Copelet, without whom many would not have survived. The flow of the story is well developed and keeps the reader’s interest, wanting to know more. There were a few technical issues that a non-military editor would not have caught. These were insignificant and did not detract from this remarkable story.

Pachyderms by Danny Buoy tackles the true story of soldiers who were put in an impossible position. The Vietnam war has been covered endlessly over the years since it happened in popular media, TV shows, movies ... you name it. However, even with how many times it has been covered, few avenues seem to be able to fully realize the reality of being one of those who served in the conflict. Within the pages of this book, however, you follow new recruit Dan Coobat on his first assignment that he has little formal training for, and a great deal of things to overcome. Danny and his band of brothers must create the 312th Aviation Company, where they must make do with what they have and struggle to make it home alive.

Vietnam is one of those war times that seems to stick close to me. I had family that served and even to this day they do not talk much about it. So, being able to dive into this book, which really tells the true story and grasps hard onto the soldier's point of view, was a real pleasure. Danny Buoy tells this story with all the grit and sweeping backdrops you might come to expect in a war story. This book is touching and emotional from page one through to the end. I came out the other side having a whole new respect for why soldiers coming home from war often do not wish to speak about what they have been through and the choices they have had to make. If you would like to read a book that will humble you and make you see things in a new light, this is one for you.