> Notice that he makes the assumption that all those stories are true?

Actually, I don't think that I have made the assumption that "all of
those stories are true". The purpose of my information request is to
determine how common or uncommon the practice actually was. While it
has become a staple of popular culture - especially in Vietnam War
movies - there are indications that the practice did actually occur.

My research has found references to the taking of human war trophies
in numerous veteran's memoirs from WWII and Vietnam. I can cite some
examples if you want. The practice is also expressly forbidden by
numerous military and international legal statutes including the UCMJ
(Sec 504c).