Dance Of The Chameleon

 Dance of the Chameleon, A Vietnam Medic’s Story is an eyewitness account of both heroic and shameful events occurring during the Vietnam War. Decorated medic, James Squadrito, served in three venues in Vietnam where the experiences he recounts in the book were far too common. Rampant drug use among soldiers, sex-trafficking of Vietnamese women as young as twelve and thirteen years old both on and off base, ill-trained officers, and woefully prepared medics including himself were common realities during the war. Jim tells of incidences of soldiers he had to patch up who had shot themselves to get sent home, of dead soldiers who were shot by friendly fire in retaliation for their attempts at troop discipline, and racial infighting that mirrored the conflicts of the civil rights movement stateside. Arms trafficking and drug and artifact smuggling were standard crimes perpetrated by soldiers and officers.

Fortunately, these and other inglorious moments were counterbalanced by self-sacrifice and heroism. Jim, who, chameleonlike, changed his colors from the spoiled frat boy to a productive citizen, recounts his personal journey of growth from cynicism to spirituality. After leaving the service and left scarred by his experiences, he would talk with other Vietnam soldiers at vets gatherings. These sessions were cathartic for him and provided a motivation to write this book, which he hopes will be a source of healing for his comrades who still haven’t recovered from the ravages of the Vietnam conflict.

There are over one hundred thousand medics in the United States who walked the tightrope of saving lives and being pulled into actual combat when enemy troops ignored the Geneva Convention protocols. This book is a tribute to them who put the lives of soldiers first above their own.