Combat at Close Quarters

An Illustrated History of the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam War

By Edward J. Marolda
Hardcover $13.18
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Overview

Combat at Close Quarters presents the work of five renowned historians who describe and interpret the U.S. Navy’s major combat operations in Southeast Asia, including the Rolling Thunder and Linebacker strikes against North Vietnam, the river war in South Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, and the intelligence campaign. Over 200 images drawn from Navy archives and private collections, detailed maps, and a select list of the most authoritative works on the subject complement the concise, readable text. The chapters describe not only the actions of the warships, aircraft, and river vessels involved in one of America’s longest wars but the professional skill, dedication, and courage of the Navy men and women who journeyed into harm’s way in Vietnam.

Covering both the air war and riverine combat in Vietnam, Combat at Close Quarters provides a lavishly-illustrated history of the U.S. Navy’s role in the entire conflict. Special focus is paid in this volume to the leadership of Vice Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr., the Navy’s role in Linebacker, the bombing and mining campaign that helped compel Hanoi to end the war and release American POWs, as well as the Navy’s intelligence efforts in Southeast Asia, from the controversial Tonkin Gulf Incident to the end of the conflict. The work fully explains both the operations of communications and electronics analysts at the theater level and the aerial reconnaissance, SEAL, and NILO intelligence-gathers at the tactical level, whether over North Vietnam and Laos or on the ground in South Vietnam. In short, Combat at Close Quarters describes in depth the Navy’s major and essential role in a conflict that marked a milestone in modern American history.

About the Author

Edward Marolda

Edward J. Marolda served as the acting director of Naval History and Senior Historian of the Navy. In 2017 the Naval Historical Foundation honored him with its Dudley W. Knox Naval History Lifetime Achievement Award. He has authored, coauthored, or edited twelve books on the U.S. Navy’s experience in Vietnam. In support of the U.S. Naval Institute’s Oral History Program, he has interviewed Vietnam veterans and retired admirals Stanley R. Arthur and Joseph W. Prueher. As adjunct professor at Georgetown University, Dr. Marolda taught courses on the Cold War in the Far East and the Vietnam War.

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Editorial Reviews

“This book is a very informative and noteworthy book that features many photographs and maps, a comprehensive picture of the US Navy's involvement in Vietnam from 1965 to 1972. It is recommended to all readers who want to delve deeper into the history of the Vietnam War and get to know new aspects.” —TRUPPENDIENST
“Combat at Close Quarters is a fitting salute to the bravery of sailors and naval aviators who did their very best in a rotten war.” —Warships: International Fleet Review
“Most Vietnam veterans know about actions in which they had participated. They witnessed and appreciated the close air support and the artillery and Naval gun fire, yet many are unaware of all the behind-the-scenes activities needed to make those long-range bombs so timely and so accurate. To help learn how it all came together, Combat at Close Quarters is a must-read.” —The VVA Veteran
"Combat at Close Quarters is a well-rounded, lavishly illustrated overview, with four contributions from five authors who will be familiar to those in the official history community in the nation's capital.... The result of Marolda's efforts is a professional tour de force, with high-quality writing and exceptional photographs, paintings, and maps, many of them in color." —The Journal of America's Military Past
“The controversial nature of the Vietnam War, its place as the first real televised war, and the part played by protestors in undermining their own troops, has produced a vast amount of fog and confusion. This book provides a picture of how it was from a US Navy perspective which makes it a very important study that should appeal way beyond naval history enthusiasts, professionals and military buffs.” —FIRE Reviews
“This new illustrated edition provides extensive coverage of U.S. Naval air and o shore fire support in Vietnam. Abundant illustrations, maps and explanatory sidebars help tell the story.... An index and reading suggestions round out this well-written book.” —The Ensign
“Ed Marolda has edited a outstanding work by several authors who are all experts in their field. It is full of factual detail and careful analysis that makes use of the most recently de-classified documents and the opinions of men who were there at the time. It provides the wider picture that complements the history of RAN warships that served alongside their USN allies in the Vietnam War and does so in a way that is both stimulating and of absorbing interest. I thoroughly recommend it.” —The Australian Naval Institute
"A critically important addition to the growing library of Vietnam War literature, Combat at Close Quarters is unreservedly recommended as a core addition to personal, community, and academic library 20th Century Military History collections in general, and Vietnam War supplemental studies reading lists in particular." —Midwest Book Review
"An excellent and very valuable compilation of four lengthy and well-illustrated monographs or essays describing the role of the US Navy in the Vietnam War. Covering coastal and riverine activities as well as airborne and intelligence contributions, they are all set against the very important prevailing political background." —Baird Maritime
"An excellent and very valuable compilation of four lengthy and well-illustrated monographs or essays describing the role of the US Navy in the Vietnam War. Covering coastal and riverine activities as well as airborne and intelligence contributions, they are are set against the very important prevailing political background.... [The book has] useful maps and excellent photographs and paintings." —Ausmarine
"The editor and contributor [of Combat at Close Quarters] provide comprehensive coverage of the Navy's multifaceted involvement in Southeast Asia during the Second Indochina War. It is not a dry retelling, but instead a detailed examination of the efforts of pilots and sailors involved with many tales of individual heroism and local battles. It includes extensive illustrations and photographs, many of which accompany sidebars offering intriguing vignettes." —Military Heritage
“This chronicle of combat operations of the US Navy in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War encompasses naval intelligence efforts, communications, and aerial reconnaissance, in addition to combat, focusing on warfare on the rivers and canals of Vietnam. One chapter is devoted to the Rolling Thunder campaign. The book contains about 200 color and b&w historical photos from archives and personal collections, plus maps. The accessible, detailed narrative is intended for general readers and scholars.” —ProtoView
“A thoroughly researched, well-written account of the U.S. Navy's involvement in the Vietnam War, from the design of strategy at the highest levels to a detailed description of combat operations. This book will no doubt become the standard source on all aspects of the Navy's nine-year fight in Southeast Asia.” —Mark Clodfelter, author of The Limits of Air Power: The American Bombing of North Vietnam
“Authoritative and visually compelling, Combat at Close Quarters is a masterful look at the US Navy's role in the Vietnam War. From the skies over Hanoi, to life aboard a PBR in the Mekong Delta, Edward Marolda's achievement is unsurpassed in both breadth and accessibility - a must read addition to any collection on the Vietnam War.” —Andrew Wiest, author of The Boys of '67: Charlie Company's War in Vietnam and University Distinguished Professor of History, University of Southern Mississippi
“Despite the Vietnam War's final outcome, American Sailors effectively and often heroically took the fight to the enemy in the air and waters of Southeast Asia. Through words and a wealth of pictures, Ed Marolda captures the contributions and sacrifices of the U.S. Navy under arduous circumstances, preserving an important chapter in history for the edification and inspiration of current and future generations.” —Thomas J. Cutler, author of Brown Water, Black Berets: Coastal and Riverine Warfare in Vietnam, and winner of the Commodore Dudley W. Knox Lifetime Achievement in Naval History Award, 2015
“Vietnam naval campaigns conjure up a slew of vivid memories: Heat, sweat, mud, and–most especially–combat. Edited by an expert, this book puts the reader right back into the thick of it--battling in the skies, patrolling the coasts, and savage fighting on the rivers.” —Capt. Peter Swartz, USN (Ret.)
“This book highlights the U.S. Navy's significant and varied contribution to the Vietnam War effort. Those of us who fought there necessarily focused on accomplishing our particular mission. The authoritatively written and wonderfully illustrated narratives by distinguished historians in this worthy book tell the rest of the story.” —Adm. Stan Arthur, USN (Ret.), former Vice Chief of Naval Operations
“Combat at Close Quarters is a valuable addition to the literature of the Vietnam War. The well-written essays supported by excellent photographs, maps, and historical art cover the many facets of the U.S. Navy’s role in the conflict. Although it is written primarily from a tactical perspective, the authors carefully outline the strategic and political contexts that shaped naval operations…. This volume will be useful to students of the Vietnam War or anyone interested in naval operations.” —Cercles
“With more than 200 illustrations and maps to complement the text, this work is ideal for both the professional and general audiences.” —Sea History
“The text of Combat at Close Quarters provides a fascinating read and presents a great deal of incredible material to the consumer. The scale of naval operations is in itself surprising. Most telling, however, is the complexity of changing technology and adapting military power. It presents a very different and important alternative discussion for the Vietnam war that is often missing…. The text is a solid and enlightening read. Its dense detail makes it an excellent addition to a reader’s library.” —The Northern Mariner / Le marin du nord
“This well-written and superbly illustrated collection of four essays provides an easy to read and understand explanation of the U.S. Navy’s role in the Vietnam War. Four chapters focusing on the Rolling Thunder campaign, warfare on the rivers and canals, naval power in Southeast Asia, and naval intelligence in Southeast Asia provide readers with an appreciation of the difficulties of the Vietnam War, as well as glimpse into the heroism of those who fought there…. For those who have little knowledge of the Vietnam War, this is a welcome volume that provides much needed information unavailable elsewhere in an easy to read style. Further, Combat at Close Quarters provides a look into the ways 21st century wars are fought by the U.S. Navy. This work is definitely worth reading.” —Naval Historical Foundation