David E. Adams
Marking the debut of a new literary talent, Hill 55 captures the
irony, fear, and camaraderie of life as a grunt during the Vietnam
conflict. Drawing on his own experiences, Dave Adams spins
his memoirs from a series of stories and events into a distinctive
novel that anyone can appreciate, especially the grunts who lived
it first hand.
Set during the buildup of the Vietnam war in 1966, Hill 55
focuses on the daily survival of comrades-in-arms and unspoken
heroes situated eight miles south of Da Nang. The story evolves
as Dave Adams, a twenty-three-year-old ex-Marine grunt, becomes bored
with civilian life and reenlists in the Marines. Shortly after his
arrival in Vietnam, the stark realization of war is nothing like he
anticipated. He begins to lose his friends, his reasoning for the
war, his humor, and, eventually, his sanity. The turbulent mind
games of the enemy snipers and their never-ending small arms
fire, and the day-to-day routine of a no-win situation with no
foreseeable end in sight comes down to a war of survival, in
body and in mind.
Told in a nuanced narrative that resonates with truth, Hill 55 is a
haunting, bittersweet tale of survival and the road home.
Dave Adams grew up in San Diego, California. In 1960, he left
high school to follow his four older brothers into the U. S.
Marine Corps. After four years of service, Lance Corporal
Adams received an Honorable discharge and transferred into the
inactive reserve. Two years later he re-enlisted in the Marines.
Subsequently, he was severely wounded and received a medical
retirement with the rank of Sergeant. Dave now writes full time
from his home in San Diego, where he is working on his second
novel. He is otherwise retired and lives with his wife of 28 years,
Dee, a Native American artist. Hill 55 is Dave's first novel.
God I really screwed up this time. I wish I had never come back
in the marines. This place is crazy.
Six years ago, in 1960, I failed miserably in high school. At the
age of 17, it was easy to get my parents signature and join the
marines. After boot camp and six months of infantry training at
Camp Pendleton, my battalion shipped out to the far east where I
spent the next 13 months with the 3rd Marine division. I spent
the last two years of my first enlistment guarding a top secret
base in Nevada, where we had a 200 marine guard detachment. I
really loved my time in the marines, but at the ripe old age of 21
and having only achieved the rank of Lance Corporal, I decided
that four years was enough for me. So at the marine corps'
expense, I boarded a Grey Hound bus for my trip back home.
With $171.00 in my pocket, I stepped off the bus and into my
new life as a civilian. It was party time in good ol' San Diego,
California. Two weeks later the money was gone and reality set
in. I searched the help wanted ads. For the first time in my life,
I came to the realization that with only a ninth grade education to
offer any potential employer, I might have a problem finding a
job. Fortunately, my childhood friend, Tom Farmer, told me he
might be able to pull some strings and get me hired at the bakery
where he worked. Two days later, after receiving my health
card, I was fully employed at Oroweat bakery. For the next
couple of years, life was good.
Then the war in Vietnam started to hit closer to home. One by
one, all of my friends were being drafted. I was safe because I
had already done my time. I could have stayed at the bakery, but
I was getting bored and felt like I was missing something in my
life.
It's starting to rain. Time to stop reflecting on life and try not to
think about home. I don't think the VC want to get wet. It's
been very quiet tonight, not one sniper round. Just the way you
like it for a good nights sleep. This is as safe as it gets spending
the night on Hill-55 when it's raining. We all get as much sleep
as we can. It's starting to get light now. Only 358 more days
and I'm out of here.
