Last Gunship USS Mullinnix DD-944 1972 Vietnam Memoirs of a FTGSN

War kills everything, beyond mere material and physical destruction! In this military thriller, experience the 1972 Easter Day Invasion of South Vietnam from the perspective of someone who had the unenviable job of pulling the trigger. Killing on a daily basis as a dissolving sense of reality sets in. Known as the gunline, positioned a few hundred yards off the coast, the ship has entered the fresh-air mental asylum of Indochina.

Disoriented and surreal, the crew watches tanks battle on the beach and napalm transform vibrant green landscape into molten red and orange as fireballs devour both oxygen and vegetation. Disillusionment sets in. With it, the destruction, exhaustion, humor, and terror of war. The astonishing intimacy among shipmates, along with their regrets and mental anguish, is underscored by the fundamental struggle for survival.

In this true, historically accurate story, the author takes the reader on a psychosomatic roller coaster from indifference to reality. From combat to the best liberty ports in the world. From inner conflict and suppressed emotions to guilt, regret, and post-traumatic stress. From serving your country to experiencing scorn and hostility back home.

In the face of such tragedies, stories perhaps, are the best memorials we have. In unflinching detail through vivid and poignant language, the author leaves nothing to the imagination.

Where had it all gone wrong? In war, we all lose.

Coming in 2025

Last Gunship 1972 Memoirs of a FTGSN

 52 years ago, huh?

If you were there, no words are necessary. If you were NOT there, no words can explain. This book does…

Available at B&N, Amazon, Google Books

Welcome Home! So…why read this book?

58,220 Americans died in Vietnam, along with 3+ million Vietnamese. How many more since? Due to Agent Orange, asbestos exposure, and PTSD?

In the face of such tragedy, these stories are the best memorials we have. In unflinching detail through stark, eloquent prose, the author holds no punches back.

You want real? How about real, historically accurate, raw, honest, salty, and true? A kaleidoscopic and immensely readable view of one of the defining events of the twentieth century.

A book written by a lowly seaman (E-3) who had the unenviable job of pulling the trigger, killing on a daily basis. This is a true story. It illustrates the exhaustion, humor, tension, destruction, and terror of war. Anxiety, fatigue, and dread. Intensity that was unbearable, excruciating and the astonishing closeness of shipmates and their attitude, regrets, and mental anguish. War kills everything.

Simple survival. We were sent into a chemical sausage grinder. This is a story from someone who survived it but fights it daily to this day. This is our story.

DATE LINE: 30 March 1972: Easter Day Offensive consisted of a massive, coordinated three-pronged attack. In response, President Nixon called up a massive buildup of naval firepower. This included the Norfolk, Virginia based USS Mullinnix DD-944. The last all-gun destroyer in naval history. She participated in 171 NGFS missions, delivered 14,472 rounds in 88 days of combat action. Surviving enemy counterbattery on four occasions. This book is different. It’s about a gunship with only one mission. Naval Gunfire Support (NGFS). 

Enjoy the read,

Frank A. Wood

fwood101@yahoo.com