These memoirs of a retired Marine artillery officer are among the finest military autobiographies of the decade. A 1941 graduate of Annapolis, Parry served at Guadalcanal and Okinawa, commanded an artillery battalion at the Chosin Reservoir in Korea, and ended his career in a key position on General [William] Westmoreland's staff in Vietnam. Along the way he accumulated a wide variety of both professional and personal experiences, which he relates frankly, literately, and with a great many insights into problems ranging from military marriages to the strategic errors in Vietnam. A perceptive self-portrait of the best sort of professional soldier and a welcome profile of the U.S. Marines over a period of nearly two generations.

In this firsthand account of 30 action-packed years, Parry offers an exciting tribute to Marine field artillery and the unsung heroes who turned these often makeshift campaigns into successful operations. A rare and dramatic look at three decades of war.

The first biography of the Marine general who was decorated for bravery in both WWII and Korea, and went on to serve as a commanding general in Vietnam. “Ray Davis was a hardened combat veteran. This was brought home to me one day while visiting a remote Army firebase in the jungle south of Khe Sanh. As the two of us strode along the jungle pathway, Davis suddenly stopped and peered intently into the thick green foliage. I suspected danger, brought my rifle up, and slipped off the safety. After a few moments, the general turned and casually remarked, “Dick, this reminds me of a command post I had on Guadalcanal.” I mumbled, “Yes, sir,” and surreptitiously fingered the safety to the “on” position. “Christ,” I thought in awe, “I was only two years old at the time of Guadalcanal. This is the old man’s third war!”—Dick Camp, from the introduction A native of Georgia, Raymond Davis joined the Marine Corps after university and would go on to serve in three wars and be decorated for gallantry several times including the Medal of Honor for his actions at Chosin where his leadership saved countless American lives. He retired as a four-star general after 33 years in the corps. Dick Camp, Marine veteran and historian, weaves memoirs, first-hand accounts, and his own personal memories of General Davis in this first biography of this archetypal “Old Breed” Marine. “Camp writes an awe-inspiring book of a humble and unsung Marine war hero—a national treasure—who gave his absolute all in the service to his country, the Marine Corps, and his Marines. These facts come across clearly in substantive depth throughout the book. It is historically accurate and crafted in such a way that unmistakably brings Davis’s heroics to light and life for the reader.” —Military Review “A good book told by a competent author; it’s well researched and written. If you’re a Jarhead, it’s a must read.” —The VVA Veteran “A well-crafted biography of an important Marine commander. It illustrates well through Davis’ career the Marine Corps of the mid-Twentieth century.” —Paul Westermeyer, Historian

These memoirs of a retired Marine artillery officer are among the finest military autobiographies of the decade. A 1941 graduate of Annapolis, Parry served at Guadalcanal and Okinawa, commanded an artillery battalion at the Chosin Reservoir in Korea, and ended his career in a key position on General [William] Westmoreland's staff in Vietnam. Along the way he accumulated a wide variety of both professional and personal experiences, which he relates frankly, literately, and with a great many insights into problems ranging from military marriages to the strategic errors in Vietnam. A perceptive self-portrait of the best sort of professional soldier and a welcome profile of the U.S. Marines over a period of nearly two generations.

An account of the Vietnam War, as seen by the American PFCs, sergeants and platoon leaders in the rivers and jungles and trenches. Into their stories, Lehrack has woven a narrative that explains the events they describe and places them into both a historical and a political context.

This is the true story of a 17-year-old kid who quit high school in his junior year to join the Marines. After a short cruise with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, he was assigned to a rifle company in Vietnam during the heaviest fighting of the war in 1967 and 1968. He went to Vietnam eager to save the world from Communism, only to become disillusioned by the lack of progress in the field, and mentally exhausted from the intensity of the ground combat. Returning in shock from what he had seen and done, he was assigned to the most prestigious Marine ceremonial detachment in the world: the Special Ceremonial Platoon located at the oldest post of the Corps, Marine Barracks at 8th and I Streets in Washington, DC. As part of this unit, he served at the White House under two Presidents, and at ceremonial duties all over DC. The contrast from the jungle of Vietnam was startling. While fighting constant nightmares of combat, he stood before Presidents, politicians, celebrities and heads of state, all the while maintaining the dignity and poise required for his position. This book is honest, graphic, and yet enlightening, ending positively. For those interested in understanding the Marine Corps and the horror of personal, ground combat, contrasted with the bright lights and facades of Washington politics, this book will not disappoint. Reading Rick’s chapters on “The Barracks,” (8th & I), rekindled many fond—and not so fond—memories of our time together. I was a fresh-caught second lieutenant charged with the almost impossible task of transforming combat Marines into ceremonial perfectionists. For a Marine to leave the mud and blood of Vietnam and report to the most fabled and oldest post of the Corps was something not every Marine could handle physically or emotionally. Rick’s reaction to the trauma and how he succeeded reminds me of the song Tin Man by America: “But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man that he didn’t, didn’t already have.” I believe no one gave Rick anything he didn’t already have. He survived that transition with little help from anyone because he is that kind of Marine. To become one of a nine-man section responsible for the Marine Corps’ official colors and all presentations throughout the nation’s capital is something only a few Marines can own. For those fortunate enough to have watched a Friday Night Parade, Rick’s vivid description makes that “MGM Production” come to life. No Marine leaves “The Barracks” untouched by the significance of it all—Richard W. Foster, Jr. is living proof of that! —Colonel Jim Bathurst , US Marine Corps (Ret)

U.S. Marine Corps General Charles C. Krulak predicted in the 1990s that 21st Century Warfare would be a multi-faceted endeavor, fought primarily on urban terrain. He defined it as Three Block War. The former Commandant's foresight was proven correct in the spring of 2003 during Gulf War II against Iraq. Block I: Humanitarian Aid. After three decades of Saddam/Baath Party rule and three wars, the Iraqi people would need everything from food, water and medical aid to a new justice system...Block II: Peacekeeping Operations. Once Saddam was defeated, Marines would contend with infighting amongst various religious and ethnic groups...Block III: Combat. In small towns and big cities throughout Iraq, Marines engaged Iraqi Army/Republican Guard forces in full-scale battles, including tank and artillery duels, with F-18, Harrier and Super Cobra gunship close air support. They'd also confront asymmetrical guerilla forces. Iraq was also a Mecca for terrorists, foreign and domestic. Battles at Baghdad, Nasiriyah, Umm Qasr, Diwaniyah and elsewhere made Gulf War II a grunt's war.

PART HERO, PART LEGEND, ALL MARINE Gunnery Sergeant Jessie Slate knew in his heart that there was no better way to die, than to die a Marine. He battled his way through China and then Korea, fighting on Bloody Ridge and in the frozen wholesale slaughter of the Chosin Reservoir. Though once he left the service for the sake of his wife and son, the lure of the Corps--and the wiles of his Navajo Marine buddy Broken Wing--proved irresistible, and Slate reenlisted for Vietnam. There, in the brutal jungles of Arizona Territory, he fought his finest hour and proved that it took more than guns to be a Marine....