Book Review
Budapest to Vietnam
by Nick Hun and Michael L Jewell
Njh Consulting Services
(June 4, 2021)
318 pages
Budapest-to-Vietnam-800px
By How Miller
From Budapest to Vietnam:
“The chatter of the enemy was getting much too close., and we were receiving some “incoming” from the tree line about 75 yards out. It was time to break contact with them, but first to ‘get some’ before departing.
“I took the M79 from the striker next to me and zeroed in on the tree line where the bushes showed some movement. I was experienced firing the old M20 (3.5 inch) Bazooka in training with the 1st Airborne Battle Group of the 187th Infantry at Fort Bragg, making the conversion to the M79 quite easy.
“Having a relatively free line of fire, I shot the M79 toward the enemy three times. The first one impacted long and the second one short. This established a bracket around the target, allowing me to place the final round with deadly accuracy. As I fired one more time, the HE (high explosive) round landed just as four or five NVA soldiers, with AK and SKS rifles at the ready, stepped proudly out of the jungle into the tall grass.
“We heard them scream and watched them fall, helmets flying like Frisbees, as they were instantly blown up in a haze of gray smoke. Departing, I turned one last time to witness their throes of death in the smoking elephant grass.”
Nick Hun has written a book about a well-lived life. It is his story — a man who emigrated with his family from Budapest, Hungary, at the age of seven and thrived in the United States. His career has included service as an MP, a Green Beret, and many other roles.
His SF career ran from Chi Linh and Dong Xoai A camps to directing the establishment and building of Bunard in hostile VC-controlled territory.
He then volunteered to help out the hard-hit 173rd Airborne Brigade for a tour as a ground-pounding airborne officer and went on to be a helicopter pilot, returning to Vietnam for many “interesting” missions in Cobras and other craft.
Afterwards, he returned to the MPs and continued up the ranks, reaching full bird colonel with realistic designs on his first star. Nick served at West Point, Fort Riley, and Panama, commanded a recruiting battalion, and served as an active-duty advisor to the WV National Guard. After military retirement, he worked with his state government as the WV Commissioner of Corrections.
Then he served many years as a VA team leader and counselor, and upon retiring from that, he became a private investigator and author.
He obviously was following the track of the regular army career officer with a notable, but “respectably” short duration, stint with SF, and never stopped. It is quite a story.
About the Author:
How Miller has served as the editor of Chapter 78’s Sentinel since January 2021. Read How’s Member Profile to learn more about him.
I enjoyed your review of BUDAPEST TO VIETNAM and your bio of the author. I served with Nick way back when we were both with the 519 MI Bn at Fort Bragg. He was a special soldier even then having joined the unit after serving with the 187 ABG, an element of the 82nd ABN Division. I discovered his book by chance while doing some browsing on LinkedIn. It was a compelling read, the fascinating life journey of a child who came to America from war-torn Europe in the aftermath of World War Two, and became a great American and a superior military leader. It has been an honor to have known Nick, even if only for the brief time we served together. I highly recommend the book, especially to those interested in observing the progressive development of a successful military career. We can all be proud of this man who has lived the “American Dream” through a life of service to his country.
Richard,
Once again I am deeply indebted to you! I very much appreciate your comments and our enduring friendship into perpetuity. Best to you and your great family. Nick
Richard you are the finest friend and author o the planet!
Nick, I was always proud of being an airborne soldier, even though it was only as part of the linguist company. I became a “leg” again when I was assigned to USMTM Saudi Arabia, but I enjoyed being in the company of guys like you, John R. and Pino F., and I am grateful to have had your friendship during those couple of years at Ft. Bragg.
I hope you enjoy a great 4th of July with Brenda and the rest of your family.
I had the honor of meeting Col. Hun at a SOA Reunion several years ago. We met thru a mutual friend all of us former SF Veterans. As a post-Vietnam era Veteran, I grew up in the shadow of those outstanding men who brought the US Army Special Forces into their own. Most of my senior NCO’s and senior ranking Officers were all Vietnam Veterans. The lessons they instilled into our generation were priceless. Everything we have become as an organization is due to their sacrifices. In my eyes they were the Greatest Generation! Spending countless hours talking to some of those living heroes was a most welcomed past time. Reading the Colonel’s book was one such experience. It is so well written that the reader can actually put himself in the presence of this fine American Hero as the words flow from page to page. Reading this book reminded me of the many stories I heard over the years and only added to my amazement of the quality of the men who came before my generation. It is my honor to be able to call Col. Hun a friend and mentor. He is a true American immigrant success story. Let me end with the highest complement I can muster: Colonel Nick Hun, American!
God Bless you Sir and may God Bless our troops in harms way.
De Oppersso Liber,
Vincent Leone – 11-16-2023
Vince Leone, thank you sir for your kind words and your outstanding service to our Nation in Special Forces.
Vince Leone thank you sir for your kind words. It means a lot coming from the consummate Special Forces leader across generations!.
Hi Nick, just want to ask whether you have read that book from Miklos Szabo: Alfa Team or the new version called Green Berets. If so, can you share any comments with us about that book ? Thanks, Luigi