Reading Time: 7 Minutes
| By Scribe | July 7, 2026 |
One meaningful way to observe South Vietnamese Patriots’ Day is to better understand the history we seek to remember and honor. One of the easiest—and most enjoyable—ways to do that is through reading.
The following books are not meant to be an exhaustive list, but rather a starting point for those who wish to learn more about South Vietnam, the people who defended it, and the history and legacy remembered on Patriots’ Day.
True Faith and Allegiance
Mike McDermott (2012)
McDermott, Mike. True Faith and Allegiance: An American Paratrooper and the 1972 Battle for An Loc. University of Alabama Press, 2012.
Synopsis
True Faith and Allegiance is a firsthand account of the 1972 Battle of An Lộc, one of the most significant battles of the Vietnam War.
Written by Mike McDermott, an American paratrooper who served as an advisor alongside South Vietnamese forces, the book provides a personal perspective on the fighting, leadership, and sacrifices that defined the defense of An Lộc.
During the 1972 Easter Offensive, South Vietnamese forces defended An Lộc against a much larger North Vietnamese assault.
McDermott’s account captures the determination of the soldiers who held the city, the challenges they faced, and the cooperation between American advisors and their South Vietnamese allies during one of the war’s most intense battles.
Why We Recommend It
For those learning about South Vietnamese Patriots’ Day, True Faith and Allegiance is a valuable introduction to the human side of the Battle of An Lộc.
The book reminds readers that history is not only about battles and military strategy, but also about the individuals who endured hardship, stood their ground, and sacrificed for their country.
Through McDermott’s firsthand perspective, readers gain a deeper appreciation for the courage and perseverance of the soldiers remembered on South Vietnamese Patriots’ Day.
Hell in An Loc: The 1972 Easter Invasion and the Battle That Saved South Vietnam
Lam Quang Thi (2009)
Lam, Quang Thi. Hell in An Loc: The 1972 Easter Invasion and the Battle That Saved South Vietnam. University of North Texas Press, 2009.
Synopsis
Hell in An Loc is an account of the 1972 Easter Offensive and the Battle of An Lộc written by Lieutenant General Lam Quang Thi, a senior commander in the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces.
The book examines one of the most important battles of the Vietnam War, where South Vietnamese forces defended An Lộc against a massive North Vietnamese offensive.
Drawing from his experience as a South Vietnamese commander, Lam Quang Thi provides insight into the military decisions, challenges, and sacrifices behind the defense of the city.
The book explores the determination of Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces (ARVN) soldiers who endured weeks of intense combat, heavy bombardment, and overwhelming pressure while fighting to hold An Lộc.
Why We Recommend It
For those seeking to understand the significance of South Vietnamese Patriots’ Day, Hell in An Loc is an important work because it tells the story of An Lộc from a South Vietnamese perspective.
The Battle of An Lộc remains one of the most powerful examples of South Vietnamese military determination during the Vietnam War.
Through General Lam Quang Thi’s account,readers gain a deeper understanding of the courage, leadership, and sacrifice of the soldiers who defended their country during one of its most difficult moments.
This book helps preserve the memory of those who fought at An Lộc and the legacy of perseverance that Patriots’ Day seeks to honor.
The Tragedy of the Vietnam War: A South Vietnamese Officer’s Analysis
Nguyen Van Duong (2008)
Duong, Nguyen Van. The Tragedy of the Vietnam War: A South Vietnamese Officer’s Analysis. McFarland & Company, Inc., 2008.
Synopsis
The Tragedy of the Vietnam War presents the Vietnam War through the perspective of Nguyen Van Duong, a South Vietnamese military officer who examines the conflict from the viewpoint of those who served in the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces.
Rather than focusing on a single battle, the book provides a broader analysis of the political, military, and strategic challenges faced by South Vietnam throughout the war.
Drawing from his own experience, Duong explores the decisions, struggles, and circumstances that shaped the Republic of Vietnam’s efforts to defend itself.
The book offers readers insight into how South Vietnamese officers understood the war and the difficult realities faced by those responsible for defending their country.
Why We Recommend It
For those seeking to better understand South Vietnamese Patriots’ Day, The Tragedy of the Vietnam War provides an important perspective: the story of the war as experienced by those who fought in defense of South Vietnam.
While battles such as An Lộc demonstrate moments of courage and sacrifice, understanding the larger historical context is equally important. This book helps readers explore the broader challenges, sacrifices, and experiences of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces.
By preserving the perspective of a South Vietnamese officer, the book contributes to a fuller understanding of the history and legacy remembered on Patriots’ Day.
A Better War: The Unexamined Victories and Final Tragedy of America’s Last Years in Vietnam
Lewis Sorley (1999)
Sorley, Lewis. A Better War: The Unexamined Victories and Final Tragedy of America’s Last Years in Vietnam. Harcourt, 1999.
Synopsis
A Better War examines the later years of the Vietnam War and challenges earlier interpretations that viewed the conflict only through the lens of failure.
Historian Lewis Sorley focuses on the period after General Creighton Abrams took command of U.S. forces, examining changes in strategy, the development of Vietnamization, and the growing role of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces.
The book discusses how South Vietnamese forces improved in capability and effectiveness during the later years of the war, while also examining the political and strategic circumstances that shaped the war’s outcome.
Through military records, interviews, and historical analysis, Sorley provides a detailed reassessment of the final years of the conflict.
Why We Recommend It
For readers seeking to understand the legacy remembered on South Vietnamese Patriots’ Day, A Better War provides important historical context.
The book challenges simplistic and inaccurate portrayals of South Vietnamese forces as merely ineffective or incapable. Instead, Sorley highlights the underreported successes of ARVN and examines the difficult circumstances surrounding South Vietnam’s eventual defeat.
By placing South Vietnam’s military efforts within a broader historical framework, A Better War encourages readers to look beyond familiar narratives and develop a more complete understanding of the courage, challenges, and sacrifices remembered on Patriots’ Day.
Continuing the Tradition of Remembrance
Books allow us to preserve history across generations.
The stories of An Lộc, the experiences of South Vietnamese soldiers, and the perspectives of those who witnessed the war firsthand remind us that history is made not only by major events, but by the courage and sacrifices of individuals.
South Vietnamese Patriots’ Day is a time to remember those stories and ensure that they continue to be passed forward.
Whether you begin with one book or explore them all, every effort to learn is an act of remembrance.
By understanding the past, we help keep its lessons, sacrifices, and legacy alive for future generations.
Next year in Saigon.
Năm sau ở Sài Gòn.
Freedom For Vietnam 