Told in the voices of Vietnam veterans looking back on their war, Proud Americans is an oral history of the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery unit that served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1972.
The 2/32, nicknamed the Proud Americans, fired the first 175 millimeter rounds in the Vietnam War. The unit stayed in Vietnam for seven years, refreshed by more draftees and enlisted soldiers. From rescuing other American soldiers, to the Tet Offensive, to surviving 42 days of mortar attacks, the veterans share their personal stories of service. Bonds, slow to form, became unbreakable as black, Hispanic, white, and immigrant soldiers became brothers.
Proud Americans honors the sacrifices of those who never came home and those who did. Reflecting on their journeys to and from Vietnam, these veterans share an intimate view of their dangerous service.
About the Author
Terry L. Nau (pronounced NOW) is a Vietnam veteran and former Pawtucket Times sports editor from 1982-2012. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native served in the war zone from September 1967 until September 1968 with A Battery, 2/32 Field Artillery. He graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 1972. Upon retiring from newspaper work, Nau turned his attention to Vietnam and self-published three books. The first, Reluctant Soldier ... Proud Veteran, focused on his personal journey towards understanding the role Vietnam played in his life.
In 2015, Nau published his second book, We Walked Right Into It ... Pennsbury High and the Vietnam War. This book told the story of 15 former students at his high school alma mater who were KIA in the Vietnam War.
One year later, Nau published his third book, They Heard the Bugle's Call, which dealt with the tragedy of 21 former residents of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, who were KIA in Vietnam. This book served as a fundraising device that resulted in the installation of a Vietnam War Memorial in the city.
Nau's latest book, Proud Americans: Vietnam Artillery Soldiers... Then and Now, deals with a happier topic, the overall arc of the lives of Vietnam veterans who served in the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery between 1965-72.
