{"product_id":"fire-for-effect-john-f-calder-9781636245980","title":"Fire for Effect: USS Stoddard and the U.S. Navy's First Shots of the Vietnam War","description":"\u003cb\u003eRadarman John Calder's memoir offers a firsthand account of USS Stoddard's pivotal role in early Vietnam War naval operations.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe first U.S. Navy ship assigned to defend Da Nang--home to a critical airfield and deep-water port--USS \u003ci\u003eStoddard\u003c\/i\u003e was the first naval vessel to fire in the Vietnam War, on July 18, 1965. At this critical point in the early days of the war, the \u003ci\u003eStoddard\u003c\/i\u003e worked unusually closely with both the Marines and an Underwater Demolition Team deployed to Da Nang. Together they conducted high-risk missions that exploited \"windows of opportunity\" uncovered by the Marines and UDT.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRadarman John Calder recounts his journey from radar training to deployment aboard the \u003ci\u003eStoddard\u003c\/i\u003e, through the challenges of naval warfare and the decision to volunteer for a second tour as the conflict escalated. He reflects on the rigorous training that prepared him for combat, the pride of attending Naval Gunfire Support Training School, and the honor of working with Marine spotters in Da Nang.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book is both a personal memoir and a tribute to the professionalism of the U.S. Navy, offering a rare, firsthand perspective on the early naval operations of the Vietnam War.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e John F. Calder\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1636245986\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781636245980\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Casemate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/15\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 304\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover","brand":"John F. Calder","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":48089427706111,"sku":"9781636245980","price":37.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_2d52d45d-a12a-43e3-bdeb-0c9b1c9c51e3.jpg?v=1769110187","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/fire-for-effect-john-f-calder-9781636245980","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}