Thomas F. (hardtack) -
When this book came through the thrift store where I volunteer, I thought it was a book about the Marines in the Mid-East wars. But when it came time to read it, I discovered it was about Marines in Viet Nam in 1967. As a former Marine Corps officer and Viet Nam vet, I don't read too many books from that war. So I thought I wasn't going to like reading this one.
But as I got into the book---despite the fact my time in Viet Nam wasn't until 1971---I read about things which continually had me saying, "I remember that" on almost every other page. And I was startled to read about a platoon commander in Delta Company, which went to the aid of Charlie Company. I later met Steve Lampo when he was a major in a USMC reserve battalion I belonged to---3rd Battalion, 24 Marines---when I was in grad school after active duty. At that time he was the battalion S-4 and I served under him. I liked and respected him then, and, after reading about him in the book, I respect him even more, if that is possible. Sadly, Steve died in an automobile accidents years later.
The author follows the men of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, or C 1/1, from boot camp and The Basic School to their eventual mission in "Operation Medina" in Viet Nam and afterwards to their experiences many years later.
The book is a testimony to what it means to be a Marine and the fellowship it generates with life-long implications.
But as I got into the book---despite the fact my time in Viet Nam wasn't until 1971---I read about things which continually had me saying, "I remember that" on almost every other page. And I was startled to read about a platoon commander in Delta Company, which went to the aid of Charlie Company. I later met Steve Lampo when he was a major in a USMC reserve battalion I belonged to---3rd Battalion, 24 Marines---when I was in grad school after active duty. At that time he was the battalion S-4 and I served under him. I liked and respected him then, and, after reading about him in the book, I respect him even more, if that is possible. Sadly, Steve died in an automobile accidents years later.
The author follows the men of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, or C 1/1, from boot camp and The Basic School to their eventual mission in "Operation Medina" in Viet Nam and afterwards to their experiences many years later.
The book is a testimony to what it means to be a Marine and the fellowship it generates with life-long implications.
