The Tootsie Roll Marines


Book Description

This book tells the story of a young boy who grew up at the end of the Great Depression. He suffered many hardships in his early years beginning with the loss of his mother, and the trauma of family separation after her death when he and his siblings were placed in an orphanage. After his father's remarriage, the family was reunited and moved from Buffalo, New York, to California. With the move came more adjustments to warm weather, groves of fruit trees, mountains, and a whole new way of living. At seventeen years old, he decided to enlist in the US Marine Corps to serve his country, seek adventure, and make new friends. Little did he know that an entire military career of activities and adventure would be packed into his four short years of service in the Marines, especially as a machine gunner while serving in the Korean War, sometimes referred to as the Forgotten War. You will see how his life began with hardships and family tragedies, but with grit and perseverance, he used his coping skills of hard work and humor to make a wonderful life for his wife and family. While overcoming heartbreaking personal tragedies and losses, he accomplished great successes in his business ventures and public service after his time in the Marines. You will hear how this former Marine moved through pain and sorrow to forge new ideas and innovations to further express his love for his country and his fellow veterans through his many decades.




By, For, and About Marines


Book Description

By, For, and About Marines is a nonfiction collection of notable quotes giving voice to U.S. Marines throughout its storied and illustrious history. Each quote is set in historical context to give the reader a better understanding of where, when, and why the quote is included.




Marine Corps Magic


Book Description

Sgt. Gary Haun (USMC, Retired) lost his eyesight while servicing on active duty with the Marine Corps. However he did not lose the values and principles that are the characteristics of a United States Marine. In Marine Corps Magic, Sgt. Haun explains how the Corps taught him the values and principles that have helped him in his life. More importantly, he tells how these values can help anyone who is facing adversity or who is interested in self-improvement. Marine Corps Magic covers many different areas of the Corps and will leave the reader no doubts about why the Marine Corps is called The World's Finest Fighting Force.




The Flying Grunt


Book Description

Inspiring story of a young man from a humble background who received the Bronze and Silver Star for service as a Marine in Korea, including fighting at the Chosin Reservoir, and was almost selected as an astronaut. Richard Edward Carey came from a broken home. Enlisting in the Corps in 1946 he later earned a commission, fighting at Inchon and Chosin in Korea before becoming a pilot—flying every aircraft in the Marine arsenal. During his 38-year military career he witnessed and participated in major historical events, though a high school wrestling injury would eliminate him from the Mercury-7 space program. As a second lieutenant, he tackled General Douglas MacArthur on the way to Seoul in 1950. Carey would provide critical intelligence decisions enabling the successful defense of the Chinese attack on Hagaru-ri at the Chosin Reservoir. In 189 days of combat, he escaped death seven times, and was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals. In Vietnam, he flew 204 combat sorties, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and 16 Air Medals. In 1975, from Saigon, Carey led history’s largest helicopter evacuation of refugees. Subordinates praised his leadership and courage. Never afraid to stand up for his principles, Carey faced down an Air Force general in Vietnam, and organized air defense for supply helicopters at Khe Sahn; he countermanded a senior Naval officer’s order during the 1975 Saigon evacuation, refusing to cease air operations and forcing a reluctant ambassador onto a flight. In retirement, Carey served as a cabinet member for the governor of Ohio and ran the airport in his native home of Columbus. When the Careys moved to Texas, Carey continued supporting veterans, advocating for veterans’ health care, aiding the drive to build accommodation for families of hospitalized veterans, and was a leader in the effort to build a veterans’ cemetery in Dallas. He would lead the drive to build two Chosin Few memorials even as he cared for his ailing wife. This biography is based upon hours of interviews with the general, his papers, speeches, and Marine Corps documents that captured an exceptional and inspiring life.




Three War Marine Hero


Book Description

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




The Frozen Chosen


Book Description

Based on unpublished first-hand accounts of the battle, this is a dramatic retelling of the desperate Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, where the heavily outnumbered US 1st Marine Division held off vastly superior Chinese forces before successfully withdrawing in good order. In November 1950 The US 1st Marine Division was trapped in the Chosin Reservoir following the intervention of Red China in the Korean War. Fought during the worst blizzard in a century, the ensuing battle is considered by the United States Marine Corps to be 'the Corps' Finest Hour.' The soldiers who fought there would later become known as the 'Frozen Chosen'. This incredible story is based on first hand interviews from surviving veterans, telling of heroism and bravery in the face of overwhelming odds, as a handful of Marines fought desperately against wave after wave of Chinese forces. Sometimes forced into desperate hand to hand combat, the fighting retreat from Chosin marked one of the darkest moments for Western forces in Korea, but would go on to resonate with generations of Marines as a symbol of the Marine Corps' dogged determination, fighting skill, and never-say-die attitude on the battlefield.




Get Smarter. Be Amazed


Book Description

Powerful Fuel for Igniting Interesting Conversations Are you a lifelong learner? Would you like to add to your knowledge of music, cinema, sports and many other subjects? This entertaining book will provide you with fascinating information that you will eagerly share with your friends at your next gathering. The stories in this compendium contain an abundance of information from general trivia to obscure historical events and characters. The short easily digestible chapters are not only intended to enlighten but also to entertain. Readers of Ted’s anecdotes constantly react with “I never knew that!”. You will go to your next weekend get-together, prepared to elucidate and amuse your friends. You’ll discover: Why Prohibition was the worst idea in American history. Which women were members of the original Hollywood Rat Pack. The statistically proven toughest categories on “Jeopardy!” The only Beatles song that featured a Moog synthesizer. Why there is a huge uptick of French Bulldogs in urban neighborhoods. The only two cities that have faced each other in the major four sports’ championships. The actors who were turned down for “The Godfather” and “The Graduate”. People across the globe look forward to Ted’s entertaining and informative Friday blogs to get their weekend off to a great start. “Stories for the Weekend” provides a wealth of information across a broad array of subjects. You will appreciate the author’s keen wit and look forward to bringing up his stories at your next gathering.




Marine


Book Description

An in-depth look at the United States Marine Corps-in the New York Times bestselling tradition of Submarine, Armored Cav, and Fighter Wing Only the best of the best can be Marines. And only Tom Clancy can tell their story--the fascinating real-life facts more compelling than any fiction. Clancy presents a unique insider's look at the most hallowed branch of the Armed Forces, and the men and women who serve on America's front lines. Marine includes: An interview with the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Charles "Chuck" Krulak The tools and technology of the Marine Expeditionary Unit The role of the Marines in the present and future world An in-depth look at recruitment and training Exclusive photographs, illustrations, and diagrams




Cassandra in Oz


Book Description

When Conrad Crane retired from active duty to become a research professor, he never expected to become a modern Cassandra, fated to tell truth to power without being heeded. After the world transformed on 9/11, he warned the Army that it was not prepared to execute stability operations, counterinsurgency, and the eventual reconstruction of Iraq. Crane’s work attracted the attention of Generals David Petraeus and James Mattis, and he soon found himself in charge of a team tasked with creating the groundbreaking Field Manual 3-24/Marine Corps Warfighting Publication 3-33.5 Counterinsurgency, the very counterinsurgency doctrine he had pleaded for. A unique blend of traditional and modern theory, this manual would prove to be essential to the success of the Surge in Iraq that changed the course of the war. Crane’s account of the creation and implementation of the manual addresses its many criticisms, details what went wrong in Iraq, and explains how the new doctrine was never properly applied in Afghanistan. From the debates over the content to the ways it was used in the field, Cassandra in Oz covers lessons that should be gleaned from years of global war and displays the American military as a learning organization at its best.




On Desperate Ground


Book Description

From the New York Times bestselling author of Blood and Thunder and Ghost Soldiers, a chronicle of the extraordinary feats of heroism by Marines called on to do the impossible during the greatest battle of the Korean War. "Superb ... A masterpiece of thorough research, deft pacing and arresting detail...This war story—the fight to break out of a frozen hell near the Chosin Reservoir—has been told many times before. But Sides tells it exceedingly well, with fresh research, gritty scenes and cinematic sweep." —The Washington Post On October 15, 1950, General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of UN troops in Korea, convinced President Harry Truman that the Communist forces of Kim Il-sung would be utterly defeated by Thanksgiving. The Chinese, he said with near certainty, would not intervene in the war. As he was speaking, 300,000 Red Chinese soldiers began secretly crossing the Manchurian border. Led by some 20,000 men of the First Marine Division, the Americans moved deep into the snowy mountains of North Korea, toward the trap Mao had set for the vainglorious MacArthur along the frozen shores of the Chosin Reservoir. What followed was one of the most heroic--and harrowing--operations in American military history, and one of the classic battles of all time. Faced with probable annihilation, and temperatures plunging to 20 degrees below zero, the surrounded, and hugely outnumbered, Marines fought through the enemy forces with ferocity, ingenuity, and nearly unimaginable courage as they marched their way to the sea. Hampton Sides' superb account of this epic clash relies on years of archival research, unpublished letters, declassified documents, and interviews with scores of Marines and Koreans who survived the siege. While expertly detailing the follies of the American leaders, On Desperate Ground is an immediate, grunt's-eye view of history, enthralling in its narrative pace and powerful in its portrayal of what ordinary men are capable of in the most extreme circumstances. Hampton Sides has been hailed by critics as one of the best nonfiction writers of his generation. As the Miami Herald wrote, "Sides has a novelist's eye for the propulsive elements that lend momentum and dramatic pace to the best nonfiction narratives."