Beauregard: A Canine Warrior
John D. Taylor
Hardcover
(Washington House, Nov. 30, 2007)
A bittersweet war story with human interest is set in 1965-66 at Phan Rang Air Base in II Corps, South Vietnam, with the 62nd Engineer Battalion. A 120-pound Doberman pincher named Beauregard alters the lives of Lt. Col. Geno Ricci, Capt. Babs Brewer, Cpl. Jim Chivington and Sgt. Mack Wilson. Col. Ricci hates this war; but he will not allow his personal feelings to deter him from his mission of building a tactical airbase at Phan Rang. Upon the return of Geno and Babs from R&R in Thailand, Phan Rang is hit by infiltrating Viet Cong sappers. They cause major death and destruction. During one brutal scene, Beau is stabbed several times while attempting to save his beloved handler, Jim Chivington. Chivington's wounds are serious, and he eventually lapses into a coma. Beau is also near death. Col. Ricci is desperate. Risking his career, Ricci goes beyond the call in order to protect Chivington and Beau. A comatose Chivington ends up in Walter Reed Hospital with Sen. Dirksen, Ricci, Brewer, Chivington's doctor and family at his deathbed. Because of Col. Ricci's political connections and Beau's meritorious service, President Johnson had ordered Beau home to be beside his master. Does Beau's return make any difference in Jim's will to live? Is this a war dog's final duty?