Patches in Vietnam: Student Edition

Before arriving in Vietnam in 1967 life was fulfilling and carefree. Helen "Patches" Musgrove, age 48, a former nurse and surgeon's wife (widowed), was living a glamorous life owning a yacht, horse stables, a private plane, traveling the world, and managing her own fashion line and clothing factories in Hong Kong and Singapore. Landing in Saigon, her only intent was to develop a clothing line, adding to her successful business ventures throughout Asia, but nothing in Vietnam made sense; instead of contracts and permits every office demanded kickbacks and bribes. But Helen was an honest soul and rebelled at caving to corruption. At the suggestion of a friend, she became a correspondent. As a reporter she could write articles, and travel on military transports while simultaneously working her clothing line and factory contracts. A few weeks was all she needed to see her factories bustling with production and then she could resume her jet-setting socialite life.

Patches in Vietnam is based on decades of research into the amazing Helen Musgrove and her six years as a reporter for the Jacksonville Journal during the Vietnam War. This is the first in a series covering the events of her life in Vietnam, specifically the year 1967 and includes the names of many Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Nurses she interviewed and befriended.
This book is an excellent introduction to the Vietnam Conflict for novices and Historians alike. Some of the military units include: The First Infantry Division Combat Dog Tracker Teams, The Americal 23rd Infantry Division-2nd Surgical Hospital, 196th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Army Field Hospital, Americal 23rd Infantry Division-54th Helicopter Regiment (Medevac), Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) Headquarters (HQ), and 5th Group U.S. Army Special Forces.