Fragging: Why U.S. Soldiers Assaulted Their Officers in Vietnam (Modern Southeast Asia)

Lepre, George

ISBN 10: 0896727157 / ISBN 13: 9780896727151

Published by Texas Tech University Press, 2011

About this Item

Seller Inventory # I-9780896727151

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Fragging: Why U.S. Soldiers Assaulted Their Officers in Vietnam (Modern Southeast Asia)
• Publisher: Texas Tech University Press
• Publication Date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0896727157
• ISBN 13: 9780896727151
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

During its long withdrawal from South Vietnam, the U.S. military experienced a serious crisis in morale. Chronic indiscipline, illegal drug use, and racial militancy all contributed to trouble within the ranks. But most chilling of all was the advent of a new phenomenon: large numbers of young enlisted men turning their weapons on their superiors. The practice was known as “fragging,” a reference to the fragmentation hand grenades often used in these assaults. Between 1968 and 1973, dozens of Americans and Vietnamese were murdered in fragging incidents, but only a handful of their killers were ever brought to justice. Drawing upon more than 500 cases from official records in addition to interviews with both perpetrators and victims, George Lepre examines these episodes in close detail. A comparative analysis of fragging in American units and the Australian army in Vietnam is also included. In the first in-depth study of this vexing trend, Lepre drills down to the core of the soldier’s mindset, bringing to light a little understood aspect of military experience.

About the Author

After several years in the U.S. Army, George Lepre is currently pursuing a graduate degree at the New School for Social Research. His first book, Himmler’s Bosnian Division, was the recipient of the Sydney Zebel History Award from Rutgers University.