Donut Hole: A Marine’s Real-Life Battles in Vietnam During 1967 and 68 Marines, 1st Force Logistical Command Clutch Platoon

Lebeau is pretty good storyteller. The book is easy reading and well organized into coherent chapters. Unlike other first-person efforts, he includes considerable detail on Operations and lesser battles that occurred during his tenure in Vietnam, most of 1967 and ending just after TET in February 1968. It is important context in my view.Lebeau had an MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) of 3041, and his unit was the FLC, Force Logistics Command. He was basically a supply guy, a rear echelon pogue, ( pejorative military slang for non-infantry staff, and other rear-echelon or support units.) But Marines also have a saying, “every Marine is a rifleman” and there are countless names on the wall whose MOS was cook, typist or in Lebeau’s case Manual Accounting.He does not discuss his responsibilities in logistics, and I took that as a loss. There were often as they say herculean efforts made by logistics personnel to get material and ammunition where it was desperately needed during the war.As a former Marine who served in an infantry company in the 1st Bn, 4th Marine Regiment in 1967, I came late to appreciating the Marine slogan that “Every Marine is a rifleman”. Lebeau’s account of his time in Vietnam is primarily focused on the times he was called to serve in that capacity. It makes good reading. I especially appreciate his use of After Action Reports (AAR), real time analysis by the unit involved, related documents , and first-person accounts to further support his story line.

RC LeBeau has written an unusual book. It will never reach Pulitzer levels but deserves to read by those wanting to understand what makes a warrior and what the journey is like. LeBeu writes in common language, flawed but eloquent and raw. His truthfulness, pride and honor is evident to any reader. He worked very hard to survive, learned street smarts and martial arts; he survived a frightening tour with an assignment that put him in many different ‘hotspots’. His gratitude for survival, faith and humility are evident- he imbues every Marine Corps value.The reason I strongly recommend this book is its unique tone and content- it is raw footage, like a personal documentary delayed 50 plus years. Most observers hear bits and pieces of this type of telling- snippets in bars or VFWs, suffused by liquid anesthesia. RC LeBeau gives you the full, sober, terrifying narrative in detailed, non polemic manner. It is not suffused with poetry, politics or philosophical musings- it is raw, personal and puts the reader in a rare position- front line in a combat Marines gear.

"Donut Hole" is the first book I've found that mentions Task Force Miracle. During TET 68 the NVA attacked Da Nang from the south while the Marine grunts were committed to the Battle of Hue. Thereby leaving the defense of Da Nang to the Logistic troops. The Log marines were out straight supporting the grunts. The Combined Action Platoon marines in the villages and their only available reinforcements the 1st Force Logistics Clutch Platoon were getting over run. Seemingly arriving by magic, the Americal soldiers [ Task Force Miracle] landed in their Hueys. The army grunts were almost over whelmed by the NVA but together with the marines and heavy casualties rallied to defeat the Communists.Having served as an Army Logistics soldier [69 - 70] in I Corps, I found the book interesting as I spent four months in the Da Nang area. This book also acquainted me with some of the differences between the Navy / Marine supply system and the Army's.The photos in the book are too small and fuzzy. A 6" x 9" book with narrower margins and larger print would make the read much easier. However, the main point is R.C. LeBeau has documented the support troops war during a very difficult period in great detail. LeBeau explains how Log marines endured their part of the war. Logistics is a much neglected but crucial portion of the war. Roughly eighty percent of the ground troops in Vietnam had a logistics mission. From time to time the Log troops were brought under fire from the VC/NVA. Usually rockets and mortars as well as occasional ground attacks. On convoys mines and small arms fire were the main threats. In places like Khe Sanh the log marines were in as much danger as the grunts.It covers the M-14 change out to M-16 fiasco that wasn't completed until August of 1969.As a parting shot LeBeau's "War is a Time Button" analogy, I assume means in Vietnam, that the war was cyclic revolving around the rice harvests, monsoons and in 1967 - 68 also the US National Election process. LBJ dropped out of the primaries and opted for unsuccessful negotiations.

There are some interesting stories here, and I'm always interested in Michigan conections. But this guy needs to hire an editor. This thing has a lot of really weird sentences and structure to it. Painful to read.

One of the worst books I have read on Vietnam. He seemed to be writing about everyone else. I kept waiting for Yet and the book was over. At least he got a black belt.

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A great story about a very brave Marine. However, I couldn't help thinking that Lebeau should have spent more time and had book proof read. There are some misspellings and run-ons which are no big deal, but some of the phrasing and jumping around confused me a bit. But on the other hand, the rawness of this memoir did convey the author's thoughts and feelings in a more direct manner. And as always, I am amazed and heartened that incredible bravery isn't an exception but just normal conduct of US Marines!

I've read numerous personal stories, in various services and locations, from Vietnam. This, by far, has been the best which I've read to date. An excellent read, with exceptional detail and honesty of one dedicated to the Corps, but also fully cognizant of futility of waging a war run by politicians. Mr. Lebeau is to be commended for his service, and equally for his presentation and research, and telling the stories of all his brother's in arms who are unable. Thank you, and Semper Fi!