Dead Center: A Marine Sniper's Two-Year Odyssey in the Vietnam War

Didn’t realize being a sniper was also being a lurp too, but that’s how u had to be all the time wherever u were. The incoming arty at must have had long term effects on the psyche too. Thanks so much for telling us what it was like being there. Mh

Some reviews complain about the language. Others say the story was disjointed. Still some complain about the veracity of the story versus how many beers the author and his compatriots downed between nights out. I cannot judge their reviews but Vietnam, the war and era, has been difficult to pin down, write about and absorb. Kug is clear about the duality of the war and his portion. How can any of us who have never 'walked point' understand the sensation, the fears of being in the DMV with little backup and lots of enemy about? Wouldn't that be hard to write about but Kugler does a very good job of "displaying" it in words. The tension of a boot hung up on a trip wire, the frenetic and frantic pace of patrols in the dead of night at a snails pace. Patience and incoming, the changes in Nam from '66 to '68 and the difference in Marine's outlooks and training (all since changed). A cussed war without cussing? Not likely. A steady paced, controlled 'by the book' war in the middle of a hot and wet jungle, not likely. This book, in my opinion, is one of the best 'descriptions' (in and of itself) of the Vietnam war, the Corp during the initial run up, the changes in men during conflict that seemed doomed from the beginning, the minds trying to cope, the bodies trying to live... it is a display of that 'place' and 'time' and done very well. Kug sees the 'mirrors' of life, the choices, you can feel in the writing how men struggled to maintain some kind of weird balance in a place so extremely out of whack! I would say to buy the book, read it and then read it to your grandchildren and pass it on because wars will continue and knowing how they are fought (perhaps in Vietnam, it was gravely mismanaged by politicians, etc, ... another discussion) and what NOT to do, well, this book will clearly display all those choices. The snipers written about were the first of a type and went at it with a will and skill that, given the newness of the science, was remarkable. They served a nation that was coldly dismissive of the war and wrongly directed by the media about our warriors. They returned and did, for the most part, a great job of 'getting back to the world' and making their way. Average? That is the question asked later. I'd say this book is not average in any way. It may not 'teach' you to be a sniper or call in arty or use a compass and map but you cannot, if you have a soul, read it and not "thank God" for the men who answered their country's call to battle. Those men who watched the days go by to 365 and then re-upped or extended in that messed up world and fought some more and died more. God Bless 'em all.

It was straightforward and no coddling. I was there at the same time and places in 3rd Recon bn. Everything he says is true.. I always wanted to write a book but couldn't get it started or do it as well. Thanks Kugler you were a good marine.

One of the best books I’ve read in a long time

Very engaging reading.

Former active duty Marine, 62-66. Most, if not every book written about the Corps, always start with After graduation from Boot Camp and ITR. Not this one. This book was written by a Marine who is not afraid to admit he made some bad or stupid moves in the beginning of his life. How I remember the wonderful day, my second day at PI, when a naive 17 year old right out of High School, at the suggestion of an older recruit with prior military time told me to put on the post card home "Get me out of here, this place is hell".After what seemed like hours of the DI's yelling at me to do squat thrusts, jumping jacks, push ups and windmills then asking me if I wanted a Captains 'Mast', I thought they said "MASS" of which I said Yes. Possibly the best move I ever made since only 5 recruits out of the original platoon graduated. I was sent packing to the Motivation platoon clearing brush along the roads in the Ammo dumps. Then after I did graduate from a company where I was the Only regular Active duty Marine, the rest were reservist, I was assigned to "India company, 3rd Bn, 6th Marines. This was before the Cuban Missile crisis. I was already on Okinawa, Hq Co, 2nd Bn, 12th Marines, 3rd MarDiv, when I-3/6 went to the DR.Like I said, It's the little personal details in a book about time in the Marines that make it a read or no read. Dead Center is most definitely a MUST no BS READ!

I found this book to have the ring of truth from a man who was there. From the making of a Marine to becoming a scout sniper and the missions in Veitnam, I was enthralled with this book and could not put it down. I served in Southeast Asia in 1968 & 1969 passing through Vietnam only briefly. I guess I was one of the REMFs Ed talks about. My job was keeping F-105s and F-4 fighter bombers in the air to fly missions over Vietnam from the relative safety of Thailand. My perspective on the war was of course different so I search for books that can shed light on the part of the war I thankfully did not experience. I have read many books of this era but this story really captured my interest. Ed was more than a sniper, he was the essence of a special forces type, sneaking and peeking covertly in small groups to observe and gain position on the enemy, wreak havoc and death and then escape to fight again another day in a different place. This type of warfare was what was needed in Vietnam and kept the enemy guessing and made them question their tactics. It is not typical of the Marine warfare that had been fought before and for this reason there seemed to be few who understood how to properly use the scout sniper. if you decide to read this book you won't be sorry. Definitely five star material. I would love to communicate with this author.

Okay, kind of slow in the beginning. Not bad not great. God bless America and your hero's always. The end.

Ein sehr gutes Buch und eine definitive Kaufempfehlung für alle die sich mit dem Thema beschäftigen wollen. Mich hat es von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite gepackt. Das Taschenbuchformat ist zudem super handlich.Der Autor gibt viele persönliche Einblicke und stellt das Erlebte sowie die eigene Auseinandersetzung damit sehr anschaulich und spannend dar. Auch wer keine 1 in Englisch hatte wird dieses Buch lesen können, da es absolut gerade heraus und weniger kompliziert geschrieben ist. Trotzdem sollte man einen guten Übersetzer wie z.B. Leo zur Hand haben um die doch recht "umgangsprachliche" Wortwahl richtig zu interpretieren. Auch bei der Beschreibung der Geographie während seiner Patrouillen macht es hin und wieder Sinn mal nachzuschlagen um die eigene Vorstellungskraft in die richtigen Bahnen zu lenken.PS: wer sich an der teils derben Sprache stößt sollte das Buch bis zum Ende lesen um zu verstehen warum das so ist ;)Der einzige Wermutstropfen (gilt evtl. nur für das Taschenbuch) ist, dass die Bilder im Mittelteil aufgrund des Drucks etwas unscharf geraten sind.

What a read !! Brilliant writing. Felt like I was living it with them.Would recommend this book highly if you are interested in Vietnam .

Mr Kugler,Thank you for your service and sharing the experiences.Respectfully,An Australian grunt who has shared a life in service with many of your generation.

Good servicemen

I usually read romance novels, but needed a break. I picked up this book thinking this is the last thing in the world that I would actually finish reading. Once I started I couldn't put this book down. It almost felt like you were part of the action. I never realized what these men went through. An incredible account of his life. Even his swearing and drinking are jusified. Thank you so much for writing your story and I'm glad you made it out.