FORT BENNING, Ga., (July 15, 2015) --Bud Alley, a Vietnam veteran of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, recently wrote a book titled The Ghosts of the Green Grass, which tells the story of the regiment during the Battle of Ia Drang.
The Battle of Ia Drang, the first major battle of the Vietnam War, was described in an earlier book, We Were Soldiers Once...and Young, written by retired Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore and Joseph Galloway. Alley's book, however, focuses on the regiment being led to LZ Albany on Nov. 17, 1965, where they were ambushed by North Vietnamese forces and lost 150 men.
"When the battle happened fifty years ago, we knew we had been in something historic. Over the years, it continued to fester as a story and the more I met survivors and we renewed acquaintances, it became a story ... that had to be told," Alley said.
Alley released his book July 1 and held a book signing at the National Infantry Museum on the 50th anniversary of the formation of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry at Fort Benning.
"This is where it all began, this is where the story began," said Alley, who said he wrote the book for historical purposes.
Alley's book signing was an opportunity for veterans, as well as their wives, to reunite.
Sam Fantino attended the book signing, along with other veterans of the Battle of Ia Drang, to autograph copies of Alley's book.
Fantino was platoon leader Rick Rescorla's (pictured on the cover of We Were Soldiers Once...and Young) radio operator during the Battle of Ia Drang.
Fantino said being able to sit at a table and sign books with his fellow Soldiers meant everything.
"That's what it's all about, getting back together. We can talk amongst ourselves the way you can never talk to anybody else," he said.
Fantino said Alley's book is important for future generations and credits We Were Soldiers for allowing the veterans of Ia Drang to get back together.
"When we came back, everybody hated us. They wanted us to wear our uniform and they'd spit on us. We had a bad taste in our mouth. Nobody could talk about it. We had our own mental problems and so forth, and figured no one could understand," he said. "The book came out and we started getting calls and then there was a reunion. We started getting back together. That's what's important, sitting around the table and talking and having a beer."
Fantino also enjoyed meeting young Soldiers stationed at Fort Benning.
"These young guys, they're holding up the Army. They're wonderful guys. I'm in awe of them and they're in awe of us, it makes it kind of silly, but that's why we're here," he said. "If we had to pay the price to have these kids treated the way they should be, then it's worth it. It's nice to see the respect they get."
John Mathis, Alley's roommate at Fort Benning 50 years ago, traveled from Savannah, Georgia, to attend the book signing and reunite with old friends.
"I was the executive officer of the company when Bud came on board as a lieutenant and I got to know him then. Later we shared a house here on Quincy Walker Avenue," Mathis said.
Mathis did not go to Vietnam, but trained many of the people who did.
"The group that went over, I knew every one by name. I talk like I was one of them, but I did not go," he said. "It's just wonderful to be able to come in here and see some of the old guys I knew."
Michael Pearson, the cover artist and close friend to Alley and his wife, Caroline, also attended the book signing.
Pearson said her husband arrived in Vietnam as Alley's unit was leaving.
"They came in almost six months after the battle was over and there were still remnants of what had happened there. They spent a lot of time picking up dog tags. Of course, I was a young bride whose husband went to Vietnam six months after we got married. For most of us who had to live through that time period it's something we'll never forget," Pearson said.
Pearson recalled how difficult the separation of loved ones was during the Vietnam War era.
"Back in those days, it took us a month to discuss anything, two weeks over and two weeks back. Of course, we never saw a face or heard a voice. It was rough," she said.
Alley's book tells the stories of four Soldiers, and the stories of their wives, widows and sweethearts.
"The stories are human stories, the human side. The story I wanted to tell was not just the guns and bullets, not just another war story," Alley said.
Alley interviewed more than 60 people as he conducted research for his book. Talking to other individuals affected by the battle was very healing, Alley said.
"It's a tremendous honor that they trusted me to tell this story, because this is pretty bare, hard bare soul stuff, that they have trusted me with," he said.
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