Memoir

“A Day in the Life” is a gripping, coming-of-age memoir in the same realm as “Platoon” and “Born on the Fourth of July.” The story captures snapshot events during the first 19 years of Walt Madigan’s life as he attended 12 years of Catholic school in Los Angeles; then Community College in February, 1966. He was living the “good life” in Southern California, surfing at least 3 days a week and attending college classes, when he was suddenly drafted into the US Army in August, 1966. Soon he found himself in Vietnam serving as a combat infantryman with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).The narrative captures the terror and exhilaration, and the brutal realities of what it was like for a young man at war. It’s a story of day-by-day survival, and Private Madigan’s faith in God that ultimately guided him through the biggest test of his life: to survive as a “Boonie Rat” in the 1st Air Cav and return back to The World in one piece.