Mekong Mud Dogs

The Story of: SGT. Ed Eaton

By: Ed Eaton

Narrated by: Jason P. Hilton

On a dark night in the Mekong Delta, young platoon sergeant Edgar Eaton's courage and self-sacrifice would mean the difference between life and death for his wounded comrades. This is the story of Ed the sniper.

Ed doesn't plan on serving as a sniper; the small-town Oregon boy hopes to become a combat medic when he enlists at age 19. Instead, he finds himself an infantryman in the unique Army / Navy Riverine Force in the Mekong Delta. Quickly rising to the rank of platoon sergeant, Ed becomes one of the first members of the US Army to be specifically trained to be a sniper.

While Ed's actions on the night of April 3, 1969, have been celebrated in magazines, books, and a History Channel presentation, the full story of his combat service has never been told. Ed describes recollecting the events described in Mekong Mud Dogs as one of the toughest tasks he ever faced. Be glad he did. His acts of bravery and fortitude under fire are an inspiration and a reminder of other courageous acts by his brothers-in-arms, many of whose stories will never be told.

More information about Ed and his military service is available at edthesniper.com.

#2 rated on Amazon in Vietnam War catagory. This is 4 Star Clarion Review book.

©2014 Edgar Eaton (P)2014 Edgar Eaton

I enjoyed the honesty!

Thanks Ed for telling I like it really was. Sometimes I feel like the hardest part was coming home. I was ostracized not just by strangers but by old (so-called) friends. After two years in military and VA hospitals and now 19 surgery’s I was medically discharged. No one would hire me etc. I just fought back and made my way in life. I like so many other of my brothers fell into a shell and denied I was ever there. At the time I didn’t realize the harm I was causing myself, Never went back to the VA for 40 years. After a reunion in”13” I promised my tank commander I would go to VA,I did so. Here’s their quote to me “how the @#&$*# did you survive all these years”. My answer > “I have a wife and children so I get up in the morning, put my pants on and go to work ——— how about you”. Like yourself Ed and way too many of our brothers we were jerked around by the VA then. I left the VA system in the early 70’s and didn’t go back until 2014. It turns out I was 100% P&T all these years and never new it. I don’t know if you went like many of my brothers I still have to go to counseling once a week. I apologize to my brothers for going on about myself but your book helped me in more ways than you can ever realize. While reading it I remembered several things I totally blocked out. You told of when you would get a few days down time after being out for long periods, I was in Nam for 7 1/2 months before being wounded I spent a total of 2 days back at Lai Khe for an engine refit the other remaining time we never left the jungle. One more thing, I want especially thank you for mentioning in your last chapter about the VFW and being denied entrance to there “ostentatious” organization, I received one of those letters and I wish I had saved it. Ed thank you for your book now I know someone else had similar issues, I wish you well brother and hope your back is better.

Listened it twice

If you like brutally honest war books, then you’ll like Ed Eaton’s “in your face” story telling. He is not an educated writer, but there is something about his rudimentary writing style that was refreshing and to the point. I never bored listening to it and laughed out loud at times. The narrator was ok - I think the actual overall production is what was lacking. Regardless, I listened to this twice.

True Mud Dogs

If you could sum up Mekong Mud Dogs in three words, what would they be?

The life of a very young man as he faces the horrors of the Vietnam war

What does Jason P. Hilton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Easy to understand him!

Great book on one person's account of Vietnam

My father served in Vietnam and I served 4 years in the army. It is great to hear people be very honest and tell how it was so I can see the difference of my service and my father's. My dad didn't talk much about what happened so finding books like this is a true treasure.

An Interesting Account of Vietnam Combat

Would you consider the audio edition of Mekong Mud Dogs to be better than the print version?

No

What did you like best about this story?

The description of a combat soldier's life in the Mekong Delta.

What three words best describe Jason P. Hilton’s voice?

Mispronunciation, flat, unenthusiastic

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No

Any additional comments?

A serious, professional performer would make an effort to learn how to pronounce the unfamiliar words he encounters in his reading.