Scope and Contents

The collection consists of three books written by John Akins: On the Way to Khe Sanh; Nam Au Go Go ; Drowning Out the Drums.

Biographical / Historical

John Akins was born in Helena, Montana in 1947. In 1967, Akins volunteered for the United States Marine Corps beginning a total of two years of service, thirteen months of which were served in Southeast Asia. Akins first served with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division and was stationed at Khe Sanh in I Corps during the 1968 Tet Offensive. He then transferred to Quang Tin Province near Tam Ky and joined the 1st Combined Action Group, Combined Action Platoon (CAP) 1-1-6. Throughout his service in Southeast Asia, Akins was ranked as a Lance Corporal and was involved in Operation Pegasus and Operations Scotland II. Before being discharged from the Marine Corps in 1969 as a Private First Class (PFC), Akins received a Purple Heart. When he came back to the U.S. he returned to college. Current information about John Akins can be found at www.johnakins.net.