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Fallen Angels (1988)

Author: Walter Dean Myers
Type: Novel · Young adult realistic fiction / war novel
FPS Group: Group 2 — FPS Choice/Dev
Era/Period: USH Unit 7 — Vietnam Era
ELA Standards: 9-10.R.8 · 9-10.R.9
USH Standards: US.6_12.6 · US.6_12.5
Copyright: Copyrighted — excerpt only

What This Text Is About

Fallen Angels is a powerful story about the experiences of African American soldiers during the Vietnam War, written by Walter Dean Myers in 1988. The novel follows the journey of 17-year-old Richie Perry, who joins the military to escape poverty and get an education but ends up being deployed to Vietnam. Through his eyes, readers see the harsh realities of war, including racial tensions within the military, fear, and moral dilemmas as soldiers question their roles in a conflict that seems senseless.

Myers draws from both his own experiences serving in the Army during the 1950s and interviews with veterans to create a vivid and authentic portrayal. By sharing Richie's story, Myers aims to highlight the struggles faced by Black soldiers who were often overlooked or mistreated within their units while also confronting larger issues of race and war.

Read It

Copyrighted — excerpt only.

Richie Perry, a 17-year-old African American teenager from Harlem, steps off the plane in Vietnam. The air is hot and humid, carrying with it a mix of unfamiliar sounds and smells that make him feel both excited and scared. "We're here," he thinks to himself as he looks around at the green expanse before him.

"Richie Perry reporting for duty," he says to his sergeant, trying to hide his nervousness behind a mask of confidence.

As they begin their training exercises, Richie notices how different things are in Vietnam compared to Harlem. He and his fellow soldiers try to make sense of this new reality while grappling with the fear that each day could be their last. Despite the camaraderie built among the troops, racial tensions simmer below the surface, adding another layer of complexity to their already difficult situation.

Full text available in most school libraries.

Why This Text Matters

Fallen Angels is a critically important piece of literature because it sheds light on a less-discussed aspect of American history: the experiences of African American soldiers during the Vietnam War. Through Richie's story, readers gain insight into the challenges faced by young men who were often drafted and sent to fight in a conflict that many found morally questionable. The book also highlights issues of racial inequality within the military, as well as the psychological toll of war on those involved.

By reading Fallen Angels, students can better understand not only the historical context but also the personal struggles faced by soldiers during this time. It serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and encourages critical thinking about the nature of conflict, especially when it is fought far from home in an era marked by social upheaval.

ELA Standards Connection

Standard Connection
9-10.R.8 Analyze how point of view or purpose shapes the perspective in a text (e.g., analyzing how the author uses dialogue and descriptions to reveal character motivation). In Fallen Angels, Myers employs first-person narration from Richie's perspective to offer an intimate look at the psychological impact of war on soldiers, highlighting his personal growth and moral dilemmas.
9-10.R.9 Analyze a variety of texts written over different time periods including contemporary works by diverse authors regarding a similar theme or topic. Fallen Angels can be compared to other Vietnam War literature such as Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried to explore the differences in perspective based on race and gender, reflecting on broader themes like moral responsibility and societal expectations of soldiers during wartime.
9-10.W.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. Students could write an argumentative essay about whether Richie should have enlisted or sought another path, using specific scenes from the novel to support their claims.

Social Studies Connection

Fallen Angels can be connected to historical events such as the draft lottery of 1969 and the anti-war movement in the United States during the Vietnam War era (late 1960s-early 1970s). This novel provides a unique perspective on these issues by focusing on a young African American soldier's experience, which differs significantly from those of white soldiers. It also explores themes like racial inequality within the military and the broader social and political context that influenced the war effort.

Key Vocabulary

  • Camaraderie - A strong feeling of friendship or trust among people who share common interests or activities.
  • Draftee - A person selected by lottery to serve in a country's armed forces, usually when they are not voluntary enlistees.
  • Trench warfare - Warfare conducted primarily from trenches dug into the ground, used especially during World War I and parts of World War II.
  • Casualties - Injuries or deaths among soldiers that result from enemy action.
  • Morale - The confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline of a person or group, typically in relation to military situations.

Studio Ideas

  1. Write an argumentative essay about whether Richie should have enlisted or sought another path out of poverty, using specific scenes from the novel to support your claims.
  2. Research and write about how the anti-war movement affected soldiers' morale during the Vietnam War.
  3. Reflect on a contemporary event (e.g., military conflict in Afghanistan) and discuss its similarities or differences with Richie's experience.

Pairs With

Why This Is Relevant Today?

Fallen Angels remains relevant today as it addresses issues that continue to resonate in contemporary society, such as the impact of war on young people, racial inequality within military and civilian institutions, and the moral implications of participating in conflict. With ongoing debates about military service and its societal effects, Richie's story offers a poignant reminder of the long-term consequences faced by soldiers who are often caught between duty and personal ethics.

ELA Reading Library · SDA Commons · South High School

Note: Richie Perry, a 17-year-old Black teenager from Harlem, enlists in the Army in 1967 hoping to get away from poverty and go to college. He ends up in Vietnam. The novel is largely autobiographical — Myers served in the Army 1954-57 and used his own research and veteran interviews. It deals directly with racial tensions in the military, the fear of combat, and the moral confusion of fighting a war whose purpose is unclear. Banned or challenged in many schools for language and content. Myers' son Christopher Myers illustrated many of his books.