Rice and Cotton: South Vietnam and South Alabama

About the Book

The "innocence lost" - never to be regained - by America's youth during the Vietnam War lies strewn across America's landscape in the form of shattered lives and minds. We were sent there by U.S. government officials who played recklessly with our young lives; however, we did not know to what extent at the time. Maybe we still don't. But, we do know that for them, our so-called leaders, politics came first, and our welfare - our very lives - came second.

We also know that very little was reported about that war during the period November 22, 1963, to August 5, 1964. John B. Givhan was there during that time, and he details early helicopter assault missions flown by courageous U.S. Army helicopter pilots, crew chiefs and gunners - their living and their dying.

This is also about April 12, 1964, in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, a day that is and will be forever etched in the minds and souls of the men of the 120th Aviation Company, the "Deans", when valor and devotion to duty reigned supreme - and whose innocence was lost!

About the Author

John B. Givhan is a soldier, rancher and lawyer. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with Nine Oak Leaf Clusters and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his helicopter pilot combat service in the Vietnam War. As well, he was honored by State of Alabama Governor George C. Wallace for extraordinary heroism and service to his state and nation. He graduated Marion Military Institute, Auburn University and Cumberland School of Law at Samford University (cum laude), Birmingham, Alabama, and practiced law in Andalusia, Alabama, for twenty four years before retiring from law practice in 1996. He owns Jacob's Manor Ranch, Safford, Dallas County, Alabama, where he was reared.