Brown Mule 7: Life of A 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Wireman in Vietnam 1966-1967

by Mike Toyne (Other)

Overview

Brown Mule 7 is based on a true story of Army soldiers serving in the 1st Air Division (Air Mobile), 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry in Vietnam from 1966-1967. It is told through the Vietnam letters of SP4 Leon Toyne a Combat Field Wireman, written over 50 years ago and not discovered until his passing in 2018. Additional testimonies and stories are from a Combat Medic, Radio Operator, War Zone Dental Medic, and Combat Field Wireman, who served with SP4 Toyne. These individuals were like brothers and developed a bond, relying on each other for their daily survival. They were sent into the deadly Central Highlands of Vietnam on a "search and destroy" mission to rid the Central Highlands and Eastern Coastal Plains of communist forces. Their missions took them into the jungles of Vietnam including remote valleys, outposts, and landing zones, under the most austere conditions. The stories they shared recalled humor, and friendship along with sadness and tragedy. Also mentioned in the letters and testimonies are researched stories about Vietnam Scout dogs, courageous Dustoff pilots and crews, and an Army doctor and Army nurse who played a critical role in saving lives. Finally, there are interviews with Vietnam veterans and their families discussing their difficult adjustment to civilian life having witnessed the horror of the war in Vietnam and exhibiting PTSD symptoms.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940184548517
Publisher:	Barnes & Noble Press
Publication date:	02/02/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Mike Toyne is retired and lives in Omaha, Nebraska. Mike enlisted in the Air Force in 1974, after graduating high school in Lohrville, Iowa. He served 3 years, and 9 months, getting out early to use his GI Bill educational benefits. He graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, in 1985 with a master’s degree in physical education, with coaching and exercise physiology emphasis. He received an ROTC commission and reentered the Air Force in 1986 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He’s a retired Air Force officer and government civilian having spent 40 years in nuclear operations and planning. He served twenty-one years in the Air Force in the Missile Operations career field, retiring in 2003, and twenty years of government service retiring in December of 2021. Mike has written two books since his retirement. He released Brown Mule 7, in 2023, based on his brother, Leon Toyne’s 1966-1967 Vietnam War experience. He released Bull In A China Shop in 2024, based on his dad Merritt Toyne’s memoirs growing up in Iowa during the Depression and becoming a cattle buyer in Wyoming and Montana from the mid-1950s to the mid-1980s.

Editorial Reviews

Brown Mule 7 by Mike Toyne is one of the most descriptive and informative books I've ever read about serving in Vietnam. Unlike most books about the war and the soldiers who served, it's a true primary source account. Mike's brother Leon wrote exactly what was on his mind in his letters to his grandparents and parents. This book is about much more than the letters. It's a history lesson on the Vietnam War. I highly recommend the book to history buffs, and those too young to remember the.

Readers Choice - Joe Wisinski

Brown Mule 7 by Mike Toyne is a moving memoir about resilience, family, and the profound impact of war on both soldiers and their loved ones. Readers are transported to different regions of Vietnam through Mike's brother Leon's letters, which describe the beautiful scenery of the area, contrasting it with the harsh realities of war. I enjoyed reading this book because it is a poignant exploration of the duality of war, capturing the beauty of human connection and the emotional toll of conflict.

Readers Choice - Doreen Chombu

From the start, I was captivated by the mundane details of a daily life endured by all of our soldiers in Vietnam. In Leon Toyne's letters to his grandparents, the reader is painfully aware of how much the gift of the Funny Pages, a simple ballpoint pin, and toothpick mattered. This soldier was supported. This book inspires the compassion and admiration these soldiers didn't always receive. The author reminds us why we honor those who serve.

Amazon - Mary Burke

This book provides a glimpse into the day to day life of a combat wireman, Leon Toyne, in Vietnam with the first Cavalry Division. It is written by Leon's younger brother but also draws upon the many letters he sent home from the war zone. It is 100% authentic and heartfelt, and does much to honor the sacrifices of all who served in Vietnam.

Amazon - Joshua Bowe

Mike Toyne brilliantly captures, enhances the authentic voice of a soldier through Leon's letters, allowing readers to experience the personal and emotional journey of a combat wireman in his own words. The book powerfully illustrates the bonds formed between soldiers, emphasizing the importance of friendship and loyalty in the face of adversity. Interviews and testimonies about long-term effects of war on veterans. Overall, Brown Mule is a recommended read for fans of autobiographical writing.

Readers Choice - K. C. Finn