Book Description

This is their story--the Marines and Corpsmen who when called volunteered for combat during the Vietnam war. Compiled and edited by one of them--this history, a factual and photographic journey of the 1st Battalion, 27th Marines' short deployment in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive of 1968 unravels their true stories of courage and daring. This account tells of an undermanned unit of young boys sent into combat who quickly learned the art of war, and became men almost overnight. Suffering staggering losses, the Marines and Corpsmen of this Battalion continually regrouped and forged ahead only as Marines will do. This is the unforgettable history of 1/27 a 5th Marine Division battalion of WWII fame on Iwo Jima and now about their Vietnam war stories of bravery, camaraderie and sacrifice, laced with humor and brotherly love. The beginning of 1968, the peak of the war, became the pivotal year for what was to come. For those that made it home alive their combat experience changed them forever and for many made them better men. Some of these Marines gave all their yesterdays. Families suffered immeasurably from the many losses of this unit. With the unthinkable loss of 112 KIA's and almost 700 WIA's, some twice and three times wounded within a six-month period proved that this generation of Marines could and would go, "To the Sound of the Guns."