About Letters To Helene From Vietnam: An Outline Of My Descent Into PTSD by Gus Kappler
One man’s journey from surgeon to survivor, told through the letters that chronicled his unraveling.
In Letters to Helene From Vietnam: An Outline of My Descent Into PTSD, Army trauma surgeon Gus Kappler, MD reveals the personal cost of war, not only through memory, but through the raw, dated letters he sent home to his sister in 1970.
These fourteen letters, discovered decades later, document the slow transformation of a compassionate physician into a man grappling with rage, alcohol, and emotional collapse. With each letter, Gus includes a contemporary reflection, an honest exploration of PTSD, trauma suppression, and the invisible wounds of war.
Kappler writes not just as a veteran, but as a doctor, husband, and father trying to piece himself back together. His unique perspective offers a striking account of what trauma does to the brain and how it seeps into every corner of life, long after the battlefield fades.
This is not just a war story. It’s a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of honest reflection, and the urgent need to understand the impact of trauma on those who serve.
If you’ve served, loved someone who has, or simply want to understand PTSD more deeply, this book is for you.
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Author Bio:
Gus Kappler, MD served as a trauma surgeon in the 85th Evacuation Hospital during the Vietnam War. A graduate of the Medical College of Virginia, Gus has spent decades grappling with the personal and psychological toll of combat medicine. His work now focuses on educating others about PTSD and healing through storytelling. He lives with the enduring scars of war—and the hope that sharing his truth may help others find theirs.