Platoon: Bravo Company

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Platoon: Bravo Company is a non-fiction Vietnam War novel by Robert Hemphill (with foreword by Joe Galloway) , who commanded B (Bravo) Company, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry of the 25th Infantry Division (U.S. Army) in Vietnam from 1 October 1967 to 18 February 1968.

Most notably, the novel Platoon: Bravo Company stands in stark contrast to the movie (see Platoon (film)). The men of B Company are portrayed in the motion picture by Oliver Stone to be largely drug addicted, cowardly, and unmotivated draftees who will do anything to get out of combat. The book, however, shows the same troops supposedly portrayed in the movie as highly trained, well organized, level headed soldiers who fight bravely and do their duty (for the most part). Some debate has arisen as to which is true, but it should be noted that while the film was to entertain and was "loosely" based off Stone's memories, the book is non-fiction. Also, Oliver Stone did not spend all of his tour in Vietnam under Cpt. Hemphill. Furthermore, the 25th ID did in fact have a reputation as one of the better divisions in Vietnam( as opposed to others such as the Americal Division ), and Bravo, 3/22 Infantry, was said to be "the best in the battalion" after Rob Hemphill took command.

The book details Hemphill's experience as Captain of Bravo during the final months of 1967 and into the Tet Offensive of early 1968. The novel can be noted for its mostly positive outlook on the Vietnem War, contrast to the bleak reputation and media portrayal of the conflict. The book has been both praised and criticised (as seen on reviews at bn.com) for its presentation from and officers' point of view, although in the book Captain Hemphill states that he is simply writing of the war as he remembers it. Platoon: Bravo Company, is also less popular than other books about the war, such as We Were Soldiers Once...And Young or Marine Sniper: 93 Confirmed Kills.

Hemphill explains the boredom of daily routine as and infantry soldier, leading his company through thick jungle and finding no signs of the enemy (Viet Cong), as well as moments, (and, in some cases, hours) of intense combat, especially during New Year's and the Tet offensive. Hemphill also talks about rescuing other units who have fallen into enemy ambushes because of incompetent commanders, and occasionally irresponsible soldiers, as well as having his own company rescued, despite his assurances that his men are "the best in Vietnam."