Relentless Valor: Death Valley, Vietnam 1969
I Corps the war's deadliest region. 300 veterans, from privates to generals, share stories of valor, compassion, intrigue, and love, friends and foes
About The Book
Relentless Valor
Relentless Valor by Kenneth D. Hughes with Richard J. Hast
Relentless Valor is an award winning Vietnam War memoir and combat narrative that captures the raw intensity of jungle warfare in I Corps’ deadly Que Son Basin known as Death Valley. Through powerful firsthand accounts, the story follows American soldiers of Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division as they fight for survival in one of the war’s deadliest regions.
Based upon actual events this war story explores themes of brotherhood, courage under fire, sacrifice, and survival while revealing the emotional toll of combat through the eyes of young soldiers thrust into chaos. At its heart is a deeply human story that contrasts the experiences of an American GI and a North Vietnamese soldier, offering a rare dual perspective of a war that divided nations and families.
Written from over one hundred veteran interviews and enriched by historical research, battlefield reconstruction, and military archives, Relentless Valor delivers an authentic, boots on the ground account of the Vietnam War. From ambushes and firefights to moments of fear, loyalty, compassion and love this memoir stands alongside works like Band of Brothers, The Pacific and Platoon in its unflinching portrayal of war.
This is more than a war story, It is a tribute to fallen soldiers, a testament to the warrior spirit and a historical record of courage and endurance in the face of overwhelming odds.
Hardcover, Paperback and Kindle versions available at Amazon.com
Authors
Kenneth D Hughes
Ken is the principal author of this manuscript, “Relentless Valor.” His extensive travels have led him to visit many battlefields of America, WWII Western European and Pacific Theaters and for this endeavor, Vietnam. In 2008 he was privileged to deliver the keynote address at the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor’s convention in Louisville. He served as an infantryman in the U.S. Army (1967-1969), graduated from the Non-Commissioned Officer’s Candidate Course and attended Ranger School where he was injured and spent three months in Tripler Army Hospital.
Author's Bio
Richard J. "Rick" Hast
Richard J. “Rick” Hast was raised in Cincinnati and graduated from Millersburg Military Institute in 1966, where he served two terms as student body vice president. He joined the U.S. Army in 1968 as an infantryman, trained at Fort Benning and Fort McClellan, and was deployed to Vietnam with the 1st Platoon, Charlie Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, Americal Division.
His unit operated in key combat zones including the Que Son Valley known as Death Valley, defending Hiep Duc against Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces. In August 1970, his platoon endured a seven hour ambush with heavy casualties, and despite being wounded later, he quickly returned to duty. He was promoted to sergeant and awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and Bronze Star.
After the war, he worked as a regional sales manager before retiring. He married Jane in 1969 and has two sons and three grandchildren.
Kenneth D Hughes
Kenneth D. Hughes is the principal author of Relentless Valor, a military historian who has explored battlefields across America, World War II theaters, and Vietnam. He served as a U.S. Army infantryman from 1967 to 1969, completed NCO training, attended Ranger School, and recovered from an injury at Tripler Army Hospital.
He later spent 36 years in law enforcement, retiring as a police chief near Cincinnati, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Senior Management Institute for Police, and Police Executive Leadership College, holding a Master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati. He led research teams to major institutions and received multiple honors including Ohio Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award, FBI National Academy Officer of the Year, Ohio Victims of Crime Silver Star, and Hamilton County Officer of the Year.
He is married to Charlene and has four children, ten grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
Really captivating. The level of detail reads like a real-time journal. It keeps me completely engaged.
Makes you feel like you are walking alongside the men in Vietnam. Very eye-opening.
I was glued to this book for hours each day. It covers so much of what happened and provides perspectives I never knew.
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