Body Count

by William Turner Huggett

A novel about the fears and obsessions of a lieutenant and his men fighting in Vietnam in the sixties reveals the author's concern about the character of the United States Marine Corps

Genres: Military Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction

445 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

U.S. Marine, Vietnam veteran, admiralty (maritime) lawyer in Miami, Florida, and author.

Born William Kelly Turner on August 21, 1939, son of John P. Turner (a professor of zoology at the University of Minnesota, who died in 1940) and Lois Clare (Kelly) Turner. After John P. Turner's death, Lois Turner married Clayton McKenna Huggett, who adopted her son, William. Attended Emory University; he studied history and political science. After graduation from Emory, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and after transferring to reserve status he went to law school. Graduated from University of Florida Law School in 1966.

Served on active duty with the United States Marine Corp in South Vietnam (Third Marine Division, 1968 - 1969) as an officer. Awarded the Bronze Star Medal with the "Combat V" device (Valor).

After completing his tour with the Marine Corp he wrote the novel Body Count based on his experiences in Vietnam. It was published in 1973 by Putnam.

Reviews

[Ethan Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece. One of the lesser known novels from the Vietnam War, but definitely one of the best.

Worth seeking out. This novel puts you right there.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best military novels I've read, about Vietnam or any other war, and as a Marine who served in the infantry in the same era - and as one who divided my twenty years almost equally between enlisted and commissioned service - this felt authentic to me. Interestingly enough, some of the experiences of the protagonist are uncannily similar to the real-life experiences that Karl Marlantes recounted in his masterpiece memoir What It Is Like to Go to War, but Marlantes book was written just a few years ago and this novel was published in 1973.

I read this the first time in the early '80s, while I was still on active duty, and was struck then by how vivid and convincing it was. Re-reading it now, about 30 years older and with a second career under my belt as a psychotherapist who's worked with a fair number of vets, it's even better than I remembered, something that doesn't happen often enough when I go back to books (or films) that struck me as really good when I was younger.

The specifics of the story pertain to Vietnam and the U.S. Marine Corps, but a lot of it is timeless and would probably feel familiar to grunts a thousand years in either direction in time.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book really surprised me. I picked it up at a used book sale thinking that it would be along the lines of your standard dime store Vietnam novel. If I enjoyed it, great. If not, I was only out $.50. Boy was I wrong about this book as it is so much more than that. Sure, this is about an infantry platoon in Vietnam, their battles, struggles, etc. However, this book is also an excellent book on leadership. It goes into the struggles, dilemmas, and just plain tough decisions that many, if not all, small unit leaders in the military are or can be faced with. Is it easy? No. Are you always right? No. This book very effectively goes into the tough situations leaders can and do face and the solutions are not always easy. I highly recommend this book in general, but specifically for anyone serving or desires to serve as a small unit leader in the military.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sure I read this book shortly after it was originally published. After 46 years the only thing vaguely familiar was it's cover. I'm glad for the memory loss since it was a very fine read. Others here mention Jim Webb's Fields of Fire. While I have always considered this one of the best novels on the Vietnam War I suppose I should read it again. If this second read of Body Count is any indication a return to Webb's book should be refreshing and enjoyable.

[Jelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hidden gem for any Vietnam War literature enthusiast who is willing to look past the ‘American-hero-fighting-savages’ setting. Utterly ugly-realistic, it offers detailed Marine battlefield tactics as well as an insight into the trials and tribulations that these men had to endure. There is also a prominent place for the role of racism in the Marine Corps (and therefore in American society): another reason why this book still has enough contemporary value.

[Mark Hanneman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent story of a young Marine officer’s rite of passage in Vietnam. Veterans, especially Marines, will relate to the unit bonding through extreme circumstances... you may not particularly like a person, but experiencing the horrors of combat together creates a bond for life. The characters are developed in a well paced, methodical manner and the ending is satisfying.

[Pat Dugan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unknown and overlooked book about the Marine Corps in Vietnam. It is a shame that this book was passed over or other books on the subject.
This was how it really was! I know because I was there!

[John Claffey]

A very close second to Jim Webb's Fields Of Fire.

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book at a garage sale quite sometime ago. I finally picked it up to read for an anthropology class, and it was completely different than I thought it would be. It's a Vietnam story not about the rights and wrongs of the war, but the Marine Corps itself. What the Corps represents and what its men in combat have to go through.

[John Hardin · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books about the Vietnam War. It runs a very close second to James Webb's "Fields of Fire." Having known some Marines who were there, this book shows the everyday grunt and what he went through during the war. Like "Fields of Fire," this would have made a great movie or cable mini-series.

[Debby Cuda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would be very interested in hearing what others thought of this book - I went into it with no expectations, and wasn't quite sure what I was supposed to think until about 1/2 way in. The ending surprised me with its abruptness - so again, if anyone else has read this and can shed some perspective, I'd appreciate it!

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Body Count” is an older book, published in 1973, but it is without doubt one of the best combat novels I have read in a long time. It tells the story of marines of Delta Company during the Vietnam War. The story is told in a way that puts you right in the jungle with the men of Delta Company.

[John McNair · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know how you get so into a novel that you don't want it to end but go on and on, the story simply extending into the horizon? This book was that, for me. It was terrific! One of the first, I believe, novels of the Vietnam War - written in 1973 - and quite possibly the best. It just oozes authenticity. Not surprising since the author was a Lt just like one of the main characters in this story. Quite possibly this is semi-autobiographical. But Huggett left us more than 20 years ago so that question will remain unanswered. Not that it matters. There is just everything in this story - small unit tactics, day-to-day platoon life, the best combat scene I've ever read, base camp, R&R, the "bush", the heat, the smells, the fear, the bravery, the cowardice, the mistakes, the triumphs and the indifference of the chain-of-command. Everything I've ever read in these novels but written very, very well. This is a real gem and thank God for it.