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MWSA Review
Elvis Bray's memoir, Fading Memories of an Old Soldier, offers a raw, introspective look at the author's experiences serving in the Vietnam War from 1968-1970. Spanning 18 chapters in a concise 139 pages, Bray's account pulls readers directly into the harsh realities of combat. His vivid recollections of arriving in Vietnam and serving with the Seventh Squadron, First Air Cavalry transport readers to the front lines. With skillful storytelling, Bray exposes the fine line between courage and fear that soldiers face. His honest vulnerability provides insight into the toll of war, from enduring trauma to grappling with survivor's guilt. Bray's heartfelt dedication to fellow soldiers, including the many who perished, pays tribute to the unsung heroes of Vietnam. While chronicling challenging missions and crashes as a helicopter mechanic and crew chief, Bray also unravels the difficulties of life after war. His battles with PTSD and health problems reveal the enduring scars of combat. Yet he remains grateful for the "grace that allows him to wake up every morning with memories, not regrets."
Elvis Bray's anthology of real-life events and fiction stands as a poignant memoir of service and sacrifice. His vivid imagery and empathetic voice remind us that heroes are defined not by fear but by their actions in the aftermath of fear. This stirring account serves as both a history lesson and a timely reflection on the ripple effects of war—fading memories or not.
Review by Elvis Leighton (February 2024)
Author's Synopsis
This is a memoir of short stories, non-fiction and fiction, based on real live events of my two years in Vietnam in 1968-1970 as a helicopter crew chief on a UH-1H helicopter in slicks and medical evacuation, dustoff helicopters, and as an observer in the scout helicopter. I served with the 7th/1st Air Cav in the delta in 1968-1969, and in the Central Highland with the 247th Medical Detachment in 1969-1970.
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Collection, Short Storied
Number of Pages: 134
Word Count: 34,270