Robert L. Tonsetic's Books

Days of Valor

An Inside Account of the Bloodiest Six Months of the Vietnam War

By: Robert L. Tonsetic

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Days of Valor

An Inside Account of the Bloodiest Six Months of the Vietnam War

By: Robert L. Tonsetic

A Vietnam War battalion commander with the 199th LIB recounts the intense combat he saw during the Tet Offensive and NVA attacks in this candid memoir. This visceral combat memoir chronicles the height of the Vietnam War from the nervous period just before the Tet Offensive through the defeat of that campaign and into the lesser-known yet equally bloody NVA offensive of May 1968. On January 30, 1968, Saigon and nearly every provincial capital in South Vietnam came under assault by the Viet Cong. Author Robert L. Tonsetic writes not only from his personal experience as a company commander, but also from extensive research, including countless interviews with other soldiers of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade. The book ends with a brief note about the 199th LIB being deactivated in Spring 1970, furling its colors after suffering 753 dead and some 5,000 wounded. This fascinating book will help to remind us of the sacrifices made by all Vietnam veterans.

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307

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Casemate

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ISBN 10

1612000347

ISBN 13

9781612000343

1781

The Decisive Year of the Revolutionary War

By: Robert Tonsetic

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1781

The Decisive Year of the Revolutionary War

By: Robert Tonsetic

The Treaty of Paris in 1783 formally ended the American Revolutionary War, but it was the pivotal campaigns and battles of 1781 that decided the final outcome. 1781 was one of those rare years in American history when the future of the nation hung by a thread, and only the fortitude, determination, and sacrifice of its leaders and citizenry ensured its survival. By 1781, America had been at war with the world''s strongest empire for six years with no end in sight. British troops occupied key coastal cities, from New York to Savannah, and the Royal Navy prowled the waters off the American coast. The remaining Patriot forces hunkered down in the hinterland, making battle only at opportunities when British columns ventured near. But after several harsh winters, and the failure of the nascent government to adequately supply the troops, the American army was fast approaching the breaking point. The number of Continental soldiers had shrunk to less than 10,000, and the three-year enlistments of many of those remaining were about to expire. Mutinies began to emerge in George Washington''s ranks, and it was only the arrival of French troops that provided a ray of hope for the American cause.In a shift of strategy given the stalemate between New York and Philadelphia, the British began to prioritize the south. After shattering the American army under Horatio Gates at Camden, South Carolina, the British army under Lord Cornwallis appeared unstoppable, and was poised to regain the Carolinas, Georgia, and Virginia for the Crown. However, when General Nathaniel Greene arrived to take command of Patriot forces in the south, he was able to gradually turn the tables. By dividing his own forces, he forced the British to divide theirs, dissipating their juggernaut and forcing Cornwallis to confront a veritable hydra of resistance.1781 was a year of battles, as the Patriot Morgan defeated the notorious Tarleton and his Loyal legion at Cowpens. Then Greene suffered defeat at Guilford Courthouse, only to rally his forces and continue to fight on, assisted by such luminaries as Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox," and "Light Horse Harry" Lee. While luring Cornwallis north, Greene was able to gather new strength and launch a counterattack, until it was Cornwallis who felt compelled to seek succor in Virginia. He marched his main army to Yorktown on the Peninsula, upon which the French fleet, the British fleet, Greene, Washington, and the French army under Rochambeau all converged. On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis surrendered his weary and bloodied army.In this book, Robert Tonsetic provides a detailed analysis of the key battles and campaigns of 1781, supported by numerous eyewitness accounts from privates to generals in the American, French, and British armies. He also describes the diplomatic efforts underway in Europe during 1781, as well as the Continental Congress''s actions to resolve the immense financial, supply, and personnel problems involved in maintaining an effective fighting army in the field. With its focus on the climactic year of the war, 1781 is a valuable addition to the literature on the American Revolution, providing readers with a clearer understanding of how America, just barely, with fortitude and courage, retrieved its independence in the face of great odds.REVIEWS "...careful historical writing, very careful, and readers will be informed far more often than they''ll be delighted ...there''s a reassuring solidity to battlefield analyses made by a historian who''s seen actual battlefields. 1781 saw the effective end of large-scale British warring in America, but the principal strength of Tonsetic''s book is that he never takes the victory at Yorktown for granted as so many Revolution writers do; he never writes ''backward'' from the surrender of Cornwallis, nor should he: Americans need periodic reminders that they could just as easily have lost"Open Letters Monthly "...really clear, vivid writing style...brings just the right amount of human interest into the maneuvering of armies and the machinations of generals by picking out individuals and their actions (sometimes just simple soldiers, not just the great and the good) and timely quotes from accounts of the time. Also, in the manner of a classic Tom Clancy novel (well almost) he knows just when to leave the action in one location to bring the reader up to speed with what is happening elsewhere. ...a very easy to read but did not think that any of the detail or feel of the action was lost. "Wargamer.com"...overall, Tonsetic has done a commendable job of presenting it in an interesting manner. He also deftly explains the interrelationships between events in Europe and the different theaters of war. Overall, readers will enjoy this strong account of how the young United States went from the brink of disaster to victory in the course of a year." On Point: The Journal of Army History.ON POINT- The Journal of Army History Few books cover the last year of the war, and those that do usually focus on just Yorktown. Tonsetic uses a broad approach, showing how events fit together in the Carolinas, New York, and Virginia. He not only covers military events, but diplomacy as well. Key negotiations were underway in Europe that affected strategy and actions in America. The epilogue reviews what happened later to the major players, and shows connections to later events.... It was a year filled with highs and lows for both sides, and none could have predicted the dramatic ending in Virginia, a state without a single British soldier on its soil when the year began. Readers who want to learn how events in the various theaters tied together during this crucial year will enjoy the book. Journal of America''s Military Past"Robert L. Tonsetic brings his extensive military experience and his academic training to the task. He is at his best when he delves into the battles themselves. Tonsetic thoroughly details the maneuvers of individual units and carefully goes over other factors such as terrain. . . This material will definitely be of interest to military historians and buffs . . ."--The Journal of Southern History"...a good story and Tonsetic tells it well...There is always tension in a survey like this about the ratio between the generalities and details. Similarly, in a book about one year of a long war, there is also tension between providing or assuming background knowledge about the historical and strategic setting. Authors grapple with what needs explanation and what the audience should already know. Tonsetic handles these tensions ably. He moves the reader nimbly from broad brush to detailed descriptions...covers matters that full histories of the war ignore or mention only in passing."Parameters

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304

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Casemate Publishers

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ISBN 10

1612000630

ISBN 13

9781612000633

Forsaken Warriors

The Story of an American Advisor with the South Vietnamese Rangers and Airborne

By: Robert L. Tonsetic

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Forsaken Warriors

The Story of an American Advisor with the South Vietnamese Rangers and Airborne

By: Robert L. Tonsetic

An insider’s account of the South Vietnamese elites who strove to carry on the war against the Communists during the U.S. Army’s withdrawal. The book is a personal memoir of the author’s service as a U.S. Army advisor during the end-stages of America’s involvement in Vietnam. During the period 1970–71, the U.S. was beginning to draw down its combat forces, and the new watchword was Vietnamization. It was the period when the will of the U.S. to prosecute the war had slipped, and transferring responsibility to the South Vietnamese was the only remaining hope for victory. The author served as a U.S. Army advisor to South Vietnamese Ranger and Airborne units during this critical period. The units that the author advised spearheaded several campaigns in South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, as the U.S. combat units withdrew. Often outnumbered and outgunned, the elite ranger and airborne units fought Viet Cong and North Vietnamese units in some of the most difficult terrain in Southeast Asia, ranging from the legendary U Minh forest and Mo So mountains in the Mekong Delta, to the rugged hills of southern Laos. The role of the small U.S. advisory teams is fully explained in the narrative. With little support from higher headquarters, these teams accompanied the Vietnamese units on highly dangerous combat operations over which they had no command or control authority. When U.S. advisors were restricted from accompanying South Vietnamese forces on cross-border operations in Cambodia and especially Laos, the South Vietnamese forces were badly mauled, raising concerns about their readiness and training, and their ability to operate without their U.S. advisors. As a result, a major effort was placed on training these forces while the clock continued to run on the U.S. withdrawal. Having served with a U.S. infantry battalion during the peak years of the U.S. involvement in Vietnam, Robert Tonsetic—the acclaimed author of Days of Valor—is able to view the war through two different prisms and offer criticisms and an awareness of why the South Vietnamese armed forces were ultimately defeated. “An exciting account of Robert Tonsetic’s combat tours during the final stages of our long involvement in the Vietnam War. Soldiers & Marines training for advisory duty in Iraq or Afghanistan would do well to read this excellent work.” —Proceedings “Of special interest is the way [Tonsetic] recounts the dynamics of personalities & their effect on indigenous commanders & units. A must read for any soldiers likely to conduct partnering activities in the future.” —Soldier Magazine

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257

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Casemate

Published Date

ISBN 10

1935149636

ISBN 13

9781935149637

"These Are My Credentials"

The 199Th Light Infantry Brigade in the Republic of Vietnam, 1966-1970.

By: Robert J. Gouge

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"These Are My Credentials"

The 199Th Light Infantry Brigade in the Republic of Vietnam, 1966-1970.

By: Robert J. Gouge

The 199th Light Infantry Brigade (Redcatchers) served with distinction, honor and valor in the Republic of Vietnam from November 28th, 1966 to October 15th, 1970. During the American involvement in Vietnam, the 199th LIB proved time and time again that it was one of the finest and most professional infantry units to have ever served in the United States Army. Organized specifically for Vietnam service, the 199th became the first major American unit to undergo the process of Vietnamization with ARVN forces in 1967, the first American brigade in U.S. military history to have an African-American as its commanding officer, the first unit in Vietnam to have a Chaplain awarded the Medal of Honor and the sole unit in Vietnam to earn the dubious distinction as having lost the only general officer killed in action during ground combat. Often overshadowed by the larger, more "glamorous" units and divisions that fought in Southeast Asia, less than 25,000 men ever served in the ranks of the 199th LIB. 755 young heroes from the Brigade were killed in action during the Vietnam War. Their memory and sacrifice will never be forgotten...

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188

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AuthorHouse

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ISBN 10

1418411965

ISBN 13

9781418411961

Special Operations in the American Revolution

By: Robert L. Tonsetic

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Special Operations in the American Revolution

By: Robert L. Tonsetic

This Revolutionary War history analyzes the Continental Army’s extensive use of guerilla tactics—the beginning of modern Special Ops. When the American Revolution began, the colonial troops had little hope of matching His Majesty’s British and German legions. Indeed, Washington’s army suffered defeat after defeat in the first few years. But the Americans had a trump card: a reservoir of tough, self-reliant frontier fighters willing to contest the King’s men with unconventional tactics. While the British could seize the coastlines, the interior belonged to these brave men. In this book, author and former US Army colonel Robert Tonsetic analyzes a number of special operations conducted during the Revolutionary War. While Gen. Washington endeavored to confront the Empire on conventional terms, he relied on small units to keep the enemy off balance. The fledgling Continental Navy and Marines, no match for the British navy in sea battles, focused on disrupting British commercial shipping in the Atlantic and Caribbean. When the British and their Native American allies began to wage war on American settlements west of the Appalachians, Washington relied on militias to conduct raids and long-range strikes. Throughout the war, what we today call SpecOps were an integral part of American strategy, and many of the lessons learned and tactics used at the time are still studied by modern-day Special Operations forces. As this book establishes, the improvisation inherent in the American spirit proved itself well during the Revolution, continuing to stand as an example for our future martial endeavors.

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170

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Casemate

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ISBN 10

1612001661

ISBN 13

9781612001661

1781

The Decisive Year of the Revolutionary War

By: Robert Tonsetic

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1781

The Decisive Year of the Revolutionary War

By: Robert Tonsetic

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304

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Casemate Publishers

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ISBN 10

1612000630

ISBN 13

9781612000633

Book's by Robert L. Tonsetic

Days of Valor

Days of Valor

1781

1781

Forsaken Warriors

Forsaken Warriors

"These Are My Credentials"

"These Are My Credentials"

Special Operations in the American Revolution

Special Operations in the American Revolution

1781

1781

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