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Author Gary Wilhelm
Gary Wilhelm is a retired engineer with a master’s degree from South Dakota State University, who did research and development work in America, Asia, and Europe for consumer, commercial, and military products, during a career of several decades. In addition to being a civilian engineer embedded with the Marines during the Vietnam War in 1968 and 1969, he worked developing products ranging from EF Johnson citizens band radio, and the Texas Instruments home computer, communications technology for use within buildings, and with medical devices implanted within the body, to the Howitzer Improvement Program (HIP) for army artillery on the battlefield. He was also a representative on a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) committee. He hosted the USA meeting of the committee at Honeywell.
“Good Afternoon Vietnam” is the personal narrative of Gary Wilhelm's experiences as a civilian in Vietnam from 1968-1969. He was an engineer employed by a Minnesota company then called Univac to work with the Marines and maintain their computer system used for a type of intelligence gathering. Wilhelm was a bit of a trailblazer working in uncharted territory. He worked with the military but was not allowed to carry a weapon. He traded a suit and tie attire for clothing more suitable for the heat and humidity of a tropical-like climate. Wilhelm was not prepared for rustic living conditions, tin shacks covered with Styrofoam and lack of air conditioning. He learned to adapt and over time developed a camaraderie with the Marines.
Huts in Da Nang Marine Compound
Wilhelm writes in a straight forward no nonsense style. The book is a fast enjoyable read following his adventures with numerous unanticipated challenges. One can't help but admire his resilience being in a war zone but not engaged in battle, adjusting to the oppressive weather and conducting work in unusual circumstances. Communication between home and work was a huge challenge and necessitated him to fly to a neighboring country for security to place calls back to work and home. Missing holidays and familiar routines at times were problematic but with ingenuity of those around Wilhelm's circle of people all learned to make the best of what they had. The opportunity to visit neighboring Southeast countries was a great respite and bonus for Wilhelm viewing many cultural points of interest and seeing the world from a different perspective. Readers will enjoy the color photos taken by the author highlighting where he lived, worked and places he visited on his time off. 
School where Wilhelm did volunteer substitute teaching for 20-25 Vietnamese civilians
I admire Wilhelm's tenacity to make a departure back home permanent after two years in Vietnam when his company would not even sanction the return trip. In addition, his determination to recoup funds owed him when his final paycheck came.
“Good Afternoon Vietnam” is a story of survival, resilience and a look at wartime from a civilian's perspective.
To learn more about Wilhelm visit his website https://frugal-engineer.com and book can be ordered online at Amazon.
Study guide questions for "Good Afternoon Vietnam" are available at
https://frugal-engineer.com/discussion-guide-for-good-afternoon-vietnam-available/ free teacher guide/student pack
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