First off, let me say I never got to serve in Viet Nam. That being said, I have a 21 year career, 12 of which were in Special Ops before there was a recognized title of Special Ops. The best history of Viet Nam I have ever found was written by Stanley Karnow in 1983. Six hundred and seventy pages of insight into Viet Nam. Rise of Ho Chi Minh and Giap, thru the ins and outs of the French and American political struggles and the real day to day struggles of the soldiers on both sides. All this without being filtered thru the eye of Hollywood.
Discussion with my friends that did serve tends to validate this story. Not as intense as "We Were Soldiers Once...And Young", but if you like military history, it's a good read.