Looking Ahead to Mid-2025…
Now that the Vietnam War odyssey of Jif Miles has drawn to a close, it’s time to look at where the Miles Family saga goes from here. Fear not; the remainder of the 20th Century still offers proof that war never sleeps. While Jif’s career continues to flourish, we’ll see new members of the family join him in the ranks of fighting men and women. Stay tuned.
Just finished True, but Irrelevant”. Thoroughly enjoyed it. A very minor observation that niggles at me only because, when I started my career at Fort Benning in ’73, the term was quite common — Dai uy. Still heard it occasionally into the early 80s. The term was pronounced “die we”. Thought maybe I’d simply been hearing it and using it incorrectly all these years, but confirmed “die we” on a Vietnamese language site. This particular book reminded me of all the Vietnam war slang — boo coup, di di mau, Number 10 — that peppered day-to-day soldier speak, a bit of it is still hanging around today, tho I doubt soldiers using it today have any idea of it’s provenance. When I spent my year in Honduras (1987-88), all the buildings for the JTF-Bravo HQ — hootches, messhall, shower, shitters, warehouses, even the theater — were built of wood. The construction diagrams for all that were from a set of Engineer plans from Vietnam. Oh well. Again, enjoy your work. Looking forward to more.
What can I tell you, Gary? We GIs did have a talent for corrupting other people’s languages. All I can go on is what my ears and memory hold dear, and back in the day, right or wrong, it was die-you.
Glad you’re enjoying the books. Stay tuned…there are more to come.
WPG
Always Dai Uy. At a military Training Team near Chi Lang in the Seven Mountains Region of the Delta and also US MACV Team 61 we always addressed our Vietnamese counterparts by their Vietnamese ranks; Dai Ta, Dai Uy, Trung Uy, etc.
Man, I’d forgotten about this discussion a while ago. Since you have a firm recollection, how is it pronounced? Die-you or die-we?
WPG
Dai Uy = Die Wee.
Dai Uy = Die Wee
Thanks, Bruce. Chalk up another one for the fading memories of this old man. WPG
I have enjoyed following Jif around as he tries to make his way forward. I met several “Officers” that had no honor nor could you trust them out of your sight. Of course, I also had the Honor working for many great Officers, including several General Officers who give you a reason to be a Soldier . I was an Admin Staff Sargent on the Staff of the USARV Aviation Officer BG Jack Hemingway. We were at Dong Ha with General Sutherland’s Headquarters during Lam Son 719. Generals get little sleep during operations and their staff has to take care of them or they will get sick. I never had a bad experience with any Senior Officer in my 20 year. I did get stabbed in the back by a couple of Lieutenant’s and I saved a Major’s career from his own stupidity . No one can say enough about good Sargent Majors. I look forward to following Jif in his next trial and tribulations. You do good work.
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the books, James, and I definitely appreciate your POV. I know what you mean about a superior who can inspire you…I’ve had a few. as well. Stay tuned, because there are more stories to come. WPG
I’ve read every series you’ve published. Please keep them coming.
Glad to hear it, Dean, and I hope you’ve enjoyed them all.
More books are on the way. There’s a new release coming this Summer. Stay tuned for more details.
I do like your writing, and the way the stories hang together – personal favourite is the Korean War series – and so look forward to reading some more about Jif Miles and his career.
Though I do hope there is more than just Desert Shield/Storm; the US was involved in Yemen, Somalia and the Balkans as well, none of which were easy assignments, and would certainly test the mettle of an up and coming professional soldier!!
Anyway, keep up the good work, Mr Grasso…
I’m glad you like the stories, John, and I hear you about the other conflicts of the late 20th Century and beyond. Don’t worry…we won’t be jumping straight to Desert Storm, but it is a constant struggle to put fictional characters into believable scenarios that are based, however loosely, in history. After all, these are novels, not history books or memoirs.
I’m going to let the cat out of the bag here and say that Jif’s next book is set in Grenada, 1983. It will be available later this summer.
Thanks for reading,
WPG
Well, thank you for your gracious reply, Peter!!
Mate, I don’t envy you trying to find those believable situations for your characters, but you’ve not missed yet, and I have faith in your ability to do just that!!
I hope you realise, too, that it is your secondary characters that really bring the books to life; people like Patchett (sad to see him go), the Moon brothers and Jifs’ mother (her name escapes me currently!) are well-rounded and their own stories add to Jifs’ going forward!!
Grenada, eh?!? Gonna be interesting… most people only know of Grenada and the Cubans because of ‘Heartbreak Ridge’…
I look forward to reading it…
Just finished True, but irrelevant, which was fantastic book. I have read all the books except the Jock Miles WW2 series, which is next on my list to tackle.
All of your books have been incredible, 5 stars all around. The character development in your books is some of the best I have read, I love that all these stories come together in one way or another.
Anxiously awaiting Jif’s next adventure! Is there a way to get an autographed copy of your book? Would love to add that to my bookshelf.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the books, Jordan. Jif’s next adventure (Grenada 1983) will be out August 2025 (just weeks away). Stand by for the release announcement on this blog and my facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWilliamPeterGrasso/
Regarding signed copies, we don’t have the facility to provide signed copies other than at public book signing events. I’ll let everyone know on these pages when there’s an event scheduled.
Thanks for reading,
WPG