Book Review: Black Berets and Painted Faces: The Story of a LRP in Vietnam

There was a period of time when I was purchasing a lot of books related to war history. Looking for something to read, I came upon Black Berets and Painted Faces: The Story of a LRP in Vietnam and realized that I had never read it. I found it to be a highly informative insight into long-range reconnaissance patrols (LRRPs). It reminded me of stories that my first skydiving instructor told me. He said he was on a team that did LRRPs. I hung on to every word throughout this book.

Black Berets and Painted Faces is 486 pages long. Gary Linderer indicated that this was a true story based on his experiences in Vietnam. He developed the book based on 238 letters he sent to his fiancée as well as interviews with other participants.

The book is divided into two major sections. The first section focused on his time with F Company, 58th Infantry (LRP), 101st Airborne Division. The second half of the book addressed his time with L Company, 75th Infantry (Ranger), 101st Airborne Division. As Linderer noted, it was simply a reorganization when the first unit was disbanded but the same group of guys.

The chapters were arranged around a date or series of dates. It was like reading a very detailed diary. Linderer thoroughly explained what he was thinking and experiencing throughout the book. He seemed unreserved when sharing his thoughts. I definitely knew who liked and disliked as well as trusted and was wary of.

The book is extremely detailed, giving one a lot of insight into the living conditions, equipment, and tactics used at the time.

As expected, Linderer began the book talking about his background and subsequent military training as well as his desire to become an officer in the Army. However, commissioning routes were closed so he took a long path to a commission which he never accepted.

In Black Berets and Painted Faces, you get to learn about the training that LRRPers had to go through, experience time in the bush, and deal with loss. Additionally, you get to see what it is like day-to-day from these types of soldiers. Because of my time in the Air Force, I was somewhat comfortable with the comradery that was reflected in the book. Linderer was able to convey that through wonderful storytelling.

If you like military history, I think you will love Black Berets and Painted Faces. It is rich with detail but is written in a way that will keep you turning pages to find out what happens next.

Additional Reading

• Book Review: Tap Code: The Epic Survival Tale of a Vietnam POW and the Secret Code That Changed Everything
• Book Review: Mekong Massacre – Black Eagles

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