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MWSA Review
Ever Vigilant, the memoir of Specialist Michael J. Hebert, covers a part of the Vietnam War that is little known, the 458th PBRs, or River Patrol Boats operated by the U.S. Army. For that reason, it's an important addition to the written history of the Vietnam War, but more than that it tells the personal story of a very young man thrust into the unknown with others of his age who were largely on their own at an isolated base on the South China Sea. It will be of interest to those who served in Vietnam and those who care about them, as well as to people who may be thrust into similar situations today.
The book is very well written and easy to read. Some of the adventures experienced by Mr. Hebert are extraordinary. When several hundred young men are placed in control of lethal weapons and fast boats in an isolated environment with minimal supervision, you might expect the worst, but the author and his comrades did their duty while having as much fun as they could under the circumstances. They found ways to make it through their tours, and they were also very lucky.
The descriptions of Vietnam and its people, though based on minimal personal contact, are useful in providing readers with a feel and taste of the place and time. It's a story of danger and adventure, friendship and fear, and making the best of a bad situation. It's a great read and highly recommended.
Review by Jamie Thompson (April 2022)
Author's Synopsis
War is carried out by young people trained for the task. It occurs at the edge, or just over the edge, of what passes for civilized behavior. During the Vietnam War, the US military employed heavily-armed high-speed gunboats to intercept and disrupt enemy travel on the rivers and bays of South Vietnam.
In this variant from standard Vietnam War works, Michael Hebert takes the reader along for a ride in this engaging memoir of his year in Vietnam. This light yet quick-witted nautical adventure entertains readers with tales of romance, daring exploits, and abject fear. It is full of mayhem peppered with humorous undertones.
The remote Vung Ro Bay, while an idyllic setting, is not without peril. It is a constant target for snipers, mortar barrages, and full-out perimeter assaults. Hebert’s boat becomes a casualty to a rocket propelled grenade. Their base is wiped out by a super typhoon and they are forced to spend two days in the South China Sea with mountainous swells that threaten to sink the small 32-foot craft.
From start to finish, ‘Ever Vigilant’ is an introduction to a young man’s journey and coming of age in a war zone. While primarily based on his first-hand experience, he deftly weaves sufficient representation to incorporate the difficult life circumstances of the Vietnamese people and the Viet Cong. The motivation for why the enemy fights is a product of the life-hardships they bear. ‘Ever Vigilant’ offers a lively, compulsive read with a surprising finale.
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Number of Pages: 306