Melissa Ziobro, curator for the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music and adjunct professor of public history, will publish a new book, “The Battlin’ Bastards of Bravo: Bravo Company, 1/506th, 101st Airborne, in Vietnam and Beyond,” on Apr. 15 (Casemate, 2025).
“Battlin’ Bastards,” which Ziobro began writing before moving into her current BSACAM role, shares the stories of 26 Vietnam War veterans and one Gold Star family, along with their intimate photos, collected over a roughly 18-month period. Each story provides insights into what life was like for an American combat soldier in Vietnam and helps the reader ponder the lessons we can learn from their experiences.
“This was truly a case study in ‘shared authority’ as the men were by my side every step of the way, from project concept to page proofs,” said Ziobro. “At the end of the day, these are their stories—I’m really just their secretary! I am so honored that they trusted me with this project.”
Ziobro is donating the book’s royalties to Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in honor of the “Battlin’ Bastards” who did not make it home. She donated the royalties of her previous book, “Fort Monmouth: The US Army’s House of Magic,” to the InfoAge Science and History Museums at the Camp Evans National Historic Landmark in Wall Township, a former Fort Monmouth outpost.
“Battlin’ Bastards” is available for preorder on Amazon.
