vietnam1969book

James M. Stanish
I’m James M. Stanish, a former U.S. Army First Lieutenant who served in Vietnam with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and later with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade.

My time in country took me from the intense combat zones of Tay Ninh and War Zone D to moments of reflection in Saigon and beyond. My writing is a tribute to those who served beside me — a deeply personal collection of memories, moments, and history captured through photographs and field notes. I document the war not just from a tactical perspective, but through the eyes of the men who lived it.
This powerful image from Images from Vietnam 1969 by James M. Stanish captures more than a battlefield it reflects the raw tension, quiet bonds, and grit of soldiers operating beyond the wire. At the center is the M113 Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle (ACAV), built for speed and firepower.

Surrounding the M113 ACAV are young soldiers, some barely out of school, bracing for whatever comes ambushes, monsoon rain, or sudden gunfire. Every detail in the image their expressions, the worn armor reflects the harsh truth of war.
James M. Stanish served as a First Lieutenant during the Vietnam War and brings firsthand experience to his powerful book, Images from Vietnam 1969. With vivid photography and detailed captions, he documents the intensity, danger, and humanity found in the jungles of Southeast Asia.

From armored assaults and jungle warfare to moments of reflection, loss, and resilience, his work preserves the voices of those who lived it. Stanish doesn’t just present history he lived it. His book offers an unfiltered, unforgettable view into one of America’s most defining and difficult military chapters.