Symmes' biography of Admiral Hoffmann's life combines national and international historical events with the major events in Roy Hoffmann's youth and naval career. This writing technique provides the reader with more emotional impact than the traditionally written biography.

. . . the book is filled with exciting events taking place on board each of Roy's ships. The book's author also provides fascinating career details of many senior admirals with whom Roy came into contact.

Every armchair admiral will enjoy reading this book.

Commander Kirk Ferguson, USN (Ret.)
Reviewed for "Pull Together," Naval Historical Foundation

I've just completed this excellently written book on the naval career of Roy Hoffmann. The book covers his entry in the Navy during WW2 . . . his shipboard experiences in the Korean War, follow-on commands including a very detailed report on his tour of duty in Vietnam, and his post-retirement career. The latter parts deal heavily on his activities with the Swift Boat Veterans and POWs for Truth during the 2004 Presidential campaign and how their efforts affected the outcome of the election.
The book includes many candid interviews with Swift Boat Veterans, which gives us insight into the day to day life of those who served with the inland water patrols and the danger which confronted them every day.

Swift Boat veteran Weymouth Symmes cleverly presents the Admiral's life story with timelines that are connected to popular music and political events of the era to which we can relate, as his naval career develops. I highly recommend this book.

Marc Arsenault, USS Hartley 1960-61, USS Lester 1961-62
Newport Dealeys 2008 Reunion Chairman

Weymouth D. Symmes' This Is Latch: The Story of Rear Admiral Roy F. Hoffmann provides a detailed and exciting look at a real "navy type" hero. He comes across as an understanding, compassionate, true leader of men who knows how to get the best out of them by example, by giving them a great deal of responsibility early in their careers and handing out compliments or "a kick in the ass" as he did on one memorable occasion to a watch officer on the bridge who was not paying close attention to his duties.

. . . the crux of the book, while he served as commander of Task Force 115 comprised of minesweepers, LSTs and mostly fast small craft swift boats, Coast Guard cutters, some SEALs and US Army, Marines and Vietnamese troops that either supported or were supported by the boats. The story of their near suicidal trips up long, narrow creeks gives a hair-raising story of this kind of war that was fought against the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army. The last portion of the book deals with the formation of the Swift Boat Association and their battle against John Kerry's run for president. Old Tin Can Sailors will recognize many officer types, both good and bad, and also various types of shipmates.

James Mullins
Overall rating Four Stars--Highly Recommended, Reviewed for Tin Can Sailors,
The National Association of Destroyer Veterans

. . . this is exceptional. Thank you for a work that brings honor to our service.

Michael Bernique
Swift Boat O in C, Vietnam

Congratulations on a job well done! I finished the book last week and wanted to tell you what a great pleasure it was to read.

Bruce Clark
Owner TV2
Laughlin, Nevada 

What an incredible story of an incredible warrior . . . and an equally incredible wife. Thank you for this splendid book. I was, and am, mesmerized with his great character and accomplishments. The Swifties could have searched for years and never found a leader to equal him. Bigger than life.

Colonel Bud Day
Medal of Honor recipient
Vietnam POW

I have been reading This Is Latch and consider it a fascinating study of Admiral Hoffmann’s life. You’ve done a fine job of weaving the interviews into the text and of providing the larger context of national and world events. The period of my service in the Cromwell rings true . . . This book deserves a wide audience and will bring a better understanding of the Navy’s inner workings, especially during the Vietnam War. I never had a good understanding of the admiral’s role in that conflict until I read your book. Well done!

Bill Dudley
Former U.S. Navy Historian 

It’s a fabulous book . . . I’ll always have the peace of knowing our story has been told to anyone who cares to look and listen. The book is wonderful—really a masterpiece.

John O’Neill
Best selling co-author of Unfit for Command

 

The book is superbly written and I must say is the most accurate work I’ve read on that piece of history.

Bill Shumadine
Swift Boat O in C, Vietnam