Sign Here for Sacrifice

The Untold Story of the Third Battalion, 506th Airborne, Vietnam 1968

By: Ian Gardner

Narrated by: Ian Porter

Bloomsbury presents Sign Here for Sacrifice by Ian Gardner, read by Ian Porter.

A hard-hitting history of the U.S. airborne unit who made a name for themselves in the unforgiving jungles of South Vietnam.

“It was easier killing than living.” Third Battalion 506th Airborne veteran

Drawing on interviews with veterans, many of whom have never gone on the record before, Ian Gardner follows up his epic trilogy about the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II with the story of the unit's reactivation at the height of the Vietnam War. This is the dramatic history of a band of brothers who served together in Vietnam and who against the odds lived up to the reputation of their World War II forefathers.

Brigadier General Salve Matheson's idea was to create an 800-strong battalion of airborne volunteers in the same legendary “Currahee” spirit that had defined the volunteers of 1942. The man he chose to lead them was John Geraci, who would mold this young brotherhood into a highly cohesive and motivated force.

In December 1967, the battalion was sent into the Central Highlands of Lam Dong Province. Geraci and his men began their Search and Destroy patrols, which coincided with the North Vietnamese build-up to the Tet Offensive and was a brutal introduction to the reality of a dirty, bloody war. Gardner reveals how it was here that the tenacious volunteers made their mark, just like their predecessors had done in Normandy, and the battalion was ultimately awarded a Valorous Unit Citation. This book shows how and why this unit was deserving of that award, recounting their daily sanguinary struggle in the face of a hostile environment and a determined enemy.

Through countless interviews, Sign Here for Sacrifice shows the action, leadership, humor and bravery displayed by these airborne warriors.

©2023 Ian Gardner (P)2023 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Great story

I wanted to get this book because it involved my friend Mike Krawczyk. I worked with him at the Porter County Sheriff’s Department where he was one of my first supervisors. He became my friend as well. I was aware Mike had been awarded a Silver Star for his service there. My Father served in the 101st in WW2 and my oldest brother Greg was an Army MP in Vietnam. So I’m aware that silver stars are not participation awards.
This story is about the very intense experiences of a storied unit. The men who served there deserve the respect of all. Mike thank you for signing up and remember,I will go through a door with you anytime!

Memories & nightmares

As usual wherever men go in harms way they become cohesive.
This is another example of the problems they face, god bless them all.