Jay Braden

QL 20 - Road War Vietnam Jay Braden

"It was a vicious circle in that roads couldn't be built until areas were relatively secure, and roads couldn't be secured until they were fully built." This was the Engineering News Record assessment of Roadbuilding, one of the principal strategies of the Vietnam War. Jim Decker, an Army lieutenant, is not much on war but - educated to be an engineer - he wonders if his talents can "make a difference" in this unpopular struggle. With the assistance of his street-smart driver Young, his wizened Platoon Sergeant Green, a wheeler-dealer often-demoted equipment operator Smitty, and some skilled local Vietnamese papa-sans, he first overcomes the challenges of weather, tools, equipment, and VC rocket attacks to complete a high visibility bunker project for the U. S. Third Corps. In this endeavor he meets key people who will influence the balance of his combat tour. -A no-nonsense Special Forces major advising ARVN soldiers who has little time for military courtesies but needs results, as when Decker has a short notice mission to install emergency lighting to protect a vulnerable and key bridge over the Saigon River. -Weathered warrant officer helicopter pilots of a combat aviation battalion that Decker horse trades into getting key supplies for his men. -A dishonored lieutenant colonel of the Corps Headquarters who is the epitome of spit and polish in a combat zone, and places similar continual demands on Decker and his men, but who has a heart for soldiering. -Another new lieutenant of the battalion who makes such a poor first impression that he is relegated to the most menial of duties and responsibilities; but whose actions earn him a Silver Star and eventually redemption. -A good old southern boy, Corporal Johnson, who comes up with unexpected ways to keep the work moving. These pieces fall into place when Decker must establish a base camp along QL 20, in the heart of deadly Ambush Alley. Can Decker and his men build road and simultaneously prepare for imminent attack by major NVA and VC forces? Persistent, demanding challenges and novel solutions lead to an exciting surprise ending.