Swift Sword is a powerful true account of the Marines of Mike Company, who faced overwhelming odds in a brutal Vietnam War firefight. Based on 50 interviews with veterans and families, this award-winning book brings to life the courage, sacrifice, and brotherhood of those who fought for survival on a lone knoll in the Que Son Valley. It's a vivid narrative that honors the memories of those who served and those who never returned, offering readers an immersive experience of the terror and valor of personal combat in Vietnam.
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Swift Sword is a powerful true account of the Marines of Mike Company, who faced overwhelming odds in a brutal Vietnam War firefight. Based on 50 interviews with veterans and families, this award-winning book brings to life the courage, sacrifice, and brotherhood of those who fought for survival on a lone knoll in the Que Son Valley. It's a vivid narrative that honors the memories of those who served and those who never returned, offering readers an immersive experience of the terror and valor of personal combat in Vietnam.
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Very good. Ex-library. xxvi, 268 pages: illustrations, maps, portraits; 23 cm Swift sword: the true story of the marines of Mike 3/5 in Vietnam, 4 September 1967 Author: Doyle D. Glass Summary: "Monday, 4 September 1967. Marine Lance Corporal Jack Swan crested the face of a bare, rocky knoll in the Que Son Valley of South Vietnam. Following Swan were the 164 Marines of Mike Comapny, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division. Their mission was to locate and rescue two understrength and isolated companies of fellow Marines who were under attack by the North Vietnamese Army. The sight of a quiet and serene rice paddy and shrub covered valley greeted Swan. Too serene, he thought, as he caught sight of a trembling bush. "I think I just saw that bush move! " he shouted. "If it moves again, shoot it! " his squad leader commanded. The bush moved, Swan fired, and the bush went down. Then hell on earth broke loose. Rocket-propelled grenades, AK-47 fire, mortars, and machine guns engulfed the exposed Marines. The vaunted 2nd NVA Division, six thousand, five hundred men strong and expertly camouflaged, had sprung their well-laid trap. Instead of coming to the rescue of their embattled comrades, it was now the men of Mike 3/5 who were about to be annihilated. Burdened with a rifle, the M16, that would often malfunction, how could they hope to beat back a vastly superior foe bent on their destruction? "--Page 4 of cover Print Book, English, 2022 Edition: Second edition Publisher: Coleche Press, Dallas, TX, 2022 Physical Description: xxvi, 268 pages: illustrations, maps, portraits; 23 cm ISBN: 9788986031607, 9798986031606, 8986031604 OCLC Number / Unique Identifier: 1374171994 Subjects: 1961-1975 Guerre du Vie?t-nam, 1961-1975 Operation Swift, 1967 United States. Marine Corps. Marine Regiment, 5th. Battalion, 3rd Vietnam War, 1961-1975
In Swift Sword, the masterful storyteller Doyle Glass expertly transports his audience into the throes of Operation Swift in the Que Son Valley, Vietnam. His vivid narrative is the fruit of true accounts shared by veterans who managed to emerge from the chaos of the Vietnam War. Glass marries raw information and first-hand testimonies in his work, deftly encapsulating the myriad of emotions and adversities encountered by the US Marines during this devastating ambush, which resulted in the unfortunate loss of 124 soldiers.
The author skillfully illuminates the profound trials endured by these veterans, with a particular emphasis on those who served in the Vietnam War. Swift Sword pays homage to the gallant warriors who put everything on the line for their country. The narrative serves as a stark testament to the men who made the ultimate sacrifice and the survivors who bear the lifelong burden of losing their comrades.
The visceral depictions of the trauma experienced by these soldiers are woven skillfully throughout the book. Glass provides a somber reflection on the pervasive and enduring destruction caused by war on the lives of those involved. Yet, within this turbulent narrative, he manages to highlight the resilience of the human spirit, showcasing how these brave men found hope, maintained loyalty to their comrades, and nurtured deep love for their families.
Swift Sword provides readers with an invaluable glimpse into the operations of the Marines and the stark realities of the Vietnam War. While the narrative may occasionally prove complex due to the use of military abbreviations and jargon, Glass astutely includes a comprehensive glossary at the end of the book to aid understanding.
This book is a remarkable testament to Glass's meticulous research and unflinching dedication to honoring war veterans, even when it meant navigating painful memories. His work proves to be both enlightening and educational, a truly compelling read.
If your literary appetite gravitates towards personal narratives, especially those of war veterans, then Swift Sword is an indispensable addition to your reading list. Brace yourself for a deep-dive into the poignant and profoundly human experiences of those who served in the Vietnam War.
