Forsaken Warriors: The Story of an American Advisor with the South Vietnamese Rangers and Airborne, 1970-71

Of special interest is the way in which he recounts the dynamics of personalities and their effect on the indigenous commanders and units. A must read for any soldiers likely to conduct partnering activities in the future. * Soldier Magazine * The book illuminates a largely ignored chapter of American involvement in south-east Asia… there are plenty of scenarios here for wargamers… an atmospheric account, largely free of military jargon, which makes for a highly readable and insightful volume * Miniature Wargames * …not only a first-rate `I was there’ account of a front-line combat officer’s experiences with two of the most elite Vietnamese units, it is a valuable contribution to the little-known aspect of the final years of the Viet-Nam war. * Military Magazine * …unveils an aspect of the war long overlooked in American accounts. * MOAA * an insider’s account of how South Vietnam’s elite fighting forces struggled to carry on the war against the Communists during the US withdrawal. * Ranger Register * …an exciting account of Robert Tonsetic’s combat tours during the final stages of our long involvement in the Vietnam War. Soldiers and Marines training for advisory duty in Iraq or Afghanistan would do well to read this excellent work. * Proceedings * …takes an unflinching look at both the adventure and trauma of war while aiming to fill the gaps in the record for Vietnam, documenting the contributions of Americans who risked their lives serving in advisory roles by staying behind to train South Vietnamese soldiers, and even joining them in combat. * Metro College Magazine * …illuminates a largely ignored chapter of American involvement in Southeast Asia…a highly readable and insightful volume. * Miniature Wargames * …not only a first rate “I was there” account of a front line combat officer’s experiences with two of the most elite Vietnamese units, it is a valuable contribution to the little known aspect of the final years of the Vietnam War. * MILTARY *

Tonsetic was commissioned as a lieutenant out of the University of Pittsburgh in 1964. After a tour with Special Forces in Thailand, he joined the 199th Light Brigade in Vietnam, serving as a company commander during the Tet and May Offensives of 1968. In 1970 he returned to Vietnam as a senior advisor to ARVN Ranger and Airborne units. Her retired from the Army in 1991 as a Colonel, earned a Doctorate in Education, and taught for five years at the University of Central Florida.