Ken Byerly '68: Vietnam Veteran & Writer Captures the Bravery & Sacrifice of PMC Cadets
Vietnam Veteran and PMC alumnus Ken Byerly '68 has authored two books that honor the extraordinary bravery, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of those who served during the Vietnam War. Drawing from personal experience and firsthand accounts, his work shines a light on the heroism of fellow Pennsylvania Military College graduates and veterans, ensuring their stories continue to be remembered for generations to come.
Book Summaries:
Paid in Full: Tales of Bravery & Sacrifice: Step back in time to an era when the nation was torn asunder by conflict, and the unforgiving Vietnam War exacted a toll too heavy for the human spirit to bear. In this compelling narrative, you'll be introduced to eight exceptional graduates of Pennsylvania Military College, men whose stories have defied the test of time.
These remarkable individuals epitomize bravery, heroism, and honor, embodying these values as a way of life, not just empty words. In the pages of this book, you'll encounter their gripping tales, discovering their unwavering commitment to a nation they held dear. Yet, it was in the crucible of Vietnam that their mettle was truly tested.
The heavy price of war took lives prematurely and left dreams unfulfilled, but their legacy endures, a testament to the indomitable spirit. These heroes have left behind more than just memories; they've left families, friends, and a brotherhood bound by experiences that transcend time.
As a Vietnam Veteran and an alumnus of PMC, the author intimately understands that the sacrifices of these eight heroes must never fade into obscurity. It is time to shine a beacon on their courage, valor, and unwavering commitment to comrades, God, and country. Their legacy, and that of the Pennsylvania Military College, remains steadfast, a living tribute to the values that define genuine heroes. Step into their world, and let their stories inspire and enlighten.
Welcome Home: The Lucky Ones: (Co-authored with John Laughlin and Mike Moran) The sound of helicopter blades chopping through the air as they swiftly fly away into the distance, the eerie quietness before the buzzing of bullets zipping past the protective helmets, and the blasts of heavy shelling disturbing the ground. These were the familiar sounds heard once a drop was made leaving American soldiers in unfamiliar terrain to fight and fend off the enemy.
The Vietnam War took place between 1955 and 1975. This war saw the communist government of North Vietnam pitted against South Vietnam and its leading ally, the United States. The war was costly and controversial with more than 3 million people losing their lives including over 58,000 Americans and more than half of the total dead being Vietnamese civilians. The Vietnam War was a long and difficult war that caused casualties, impacted families, and created brave heroes who lived to tell their story today.
"Welcome Home The Lucky Ones" chronicles the tales of four brave American soldiers who served in the Vietnam War only to return home to the United States to find a bitterly divided opposition. Journey through the lives of Ken Byerly, John Laughlin, Mike Moran, and Colonel Steve Raho as they retell their time spent training in the Army and Air Force, leading up to the experiences and hardships they endured on the ground and in the air over Vietnam, to how the war shaped their lives upon their return back home.