Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath

Deadly Waters is a work of historical fiction based on true events that tells how the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs perverted Congressional Law to cheat 229,000 Vietnam Blue Water Navy Sailors out of all possible compensation for Agent Orange caused illnesses. It is a book every patriotic American should read. This is a story of love, war, and the promise America made and broke to those sailors she sent to fight on the toxic waters of South East Asia. It’s told through the eyes of seventeen year old Zachariah Martin, who in the fall of 1964, leaves his family farm in rural Vermont to enlist in the Navy. After boot camp he is stationed on a destroyer which is quickly deployed to Vietnam. He and his ship are heavily involved in close coastal and river warfare. Martin grows into a skilled deck seaman, gunner, and helmsman. He manages to survive the constant dangers of the Viet Cong, and an unforgiving sea. In spite of prolonged separations, his love for his hometown girl, Tally Goodwin, survives, and grows as well. After his discharge it blossoms into a strong and loving marriage. Side by side Zack and Tally face the many obstacles and hardships life throws in their path, including diseases caused by his exposure to the defoliant Agent Orange in Vietnam. When they least expect it, they find themselves embroiled in the toughest fight of their lives with an organization they were counting on for medical help; an organization they, like most Americans, believed to be a friend to all who served their country with honor, but turned out to be a true and terrible enemy far more cold-hearted and callous then Zack or any of his 229,000 brothers had ever encountered before: the Veterans Administration.

A Realistic Take on War's Aftermath

Deadly Waters offers an emotional and historically accurate portrayal of Vietnam veteran Zack Martin's fight with cancer from Agent Orange and the Veterans Administration. Randy Miller’s attention to detail brings a haunting realism to Zack’s battle, while the narration captures the emotional depth of his relationships, especially with his wife Tally and friend Bill. The raw honesty of Zack’s struggle with the VA bureaucracy adds weight, making this an authentic and heartbreaking listen. The friendships and personal trials shine through, creating a poignant listening experience.

Deadly Water

Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War and Its Aftermath by Randy Miller tells the devastating yet profoundly moving story of Zack Martin, a Vietnam Navy veteran who survives the war only to face an even greater battle at home. Exposed to Agent Orange, Zack’s health begins to deteriorate, and he must navigate the unforgiving bureaucracy of the VA in his fight for justice. Miller captures Zack’s heartbreak, frustration, and enduring love for his wife, Tally, offering a story that balances despair with moments of hope, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.

Very gripping - and is based on real-life events

Enjoyed the most past of it. It was the harrowing experience of what these soldier - now abandoned by the same country they fought for - went through. I give this book—and the experience as a whole—4 out of 5 stars. And the one star I’m holding back is really because of that tendency to leave moral crossroads hanging in mid-air. I wouldn’t say it weakens the book, but it does keep some of the most complex scenes from hitting as hard as they could. Even a small moment of reflection from Zack or the captain after those encounters could've sharpened the emotional edge. Still, I think Deadly Waters earns its place as something more than war narrative—it’s a slow, steady excavation of what war asks of people, especially when it doesn’t give them answers in return.

Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War

Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War and Its Aftermath by Randy Miller tells a poignant and deeply emotional story about Zack Martin, a Vietnam War veteran who faces a new, devastating battle upon returning home. After surviving the perils of war at sea, Zack becomes a victim of the government’s use of Agent Orange, a toxic defoliant that ravages his health. The novel beautifully captures the physical and emotional toll this betrayal takes on Zack, intertwining it with his relentless struggle for justice against a bureaucratic system designed to deny him the care he needs.

Miller shines a light on the tragic consequences of Agent Orange exposure, depicting Zack’s gradual realization that his deteriorating health—marked by mysterious lumps and failing strength—stems from his time in Vietnam. The narrative lays bare the anger and helplessness that come with battling the very institution he once served. Zack’s ongoing fight with the VA, his denied claims, and the frustration of confronting a government indifferent to his suffering create an intense undercurrent of betrayal, pushing the reader to reflect on the real-life struggles many veterans face.

Amidst the darkness, it is Zack’s relationship with his wife, Tally, that becomes the emotional core of the story. Their love, portrayed through tender, quiet moments, stands in stark contrast to the chaos and injustice surrounding them. Tally’s unwavering support and belief in Zack, even when he feels broken and defeated, offer glimpses of hope and light. Their bond is a testament to resilience in the face of despair, creating a powerful counterbalance to the novel’s exploration of loss and injustice.

Deadly Waters doesn’t offer simple resolutions or neatly tied conclusions; Zack’s battle for health and justice remains ongoing and fraught with uncertainty. Yet, it is in the strength of his spirit and Tally’s devotion where the story finds its heart. This push-and-pull between hope and hopelessness makes Miller’s novel a deeply affecting read—one that leaves you rooting for Zack and Tally, even in the face of an uncertain future.

Liked it overall except for some things

I wanted so bad to give it 5 stars, but I’m going with 4 out of 5 stars. The book earns nearly all of that with its raw humanity, its refusal to tidy up war into something narratively convenient, and its blunt acknowledgment of what chemical warfare really meant—for the land, for the people, and for those who survived long enough to be forgotten by the system. The problem, in my opinion, is rhythm. The emotional beats don’t always get the breath they need before something else hits. Like Zack’s illness and death, for example. It’s incredibly moving, especially how the crew reacts and how his wife, Tally, endures the loss. Still, I think the emotional honesty more than outweighs that imbalance. Zack’s deterioration is handled with such dignity.