By 1960, following Korea, tanks and their crews had proved themselves to be a fundamental part of the Marine Corps' combined arms team.
When the Marines were ordered to Vietnam in 1965, they took their tanks with them. This book explores this decision, which created a political storm. The presence of the tanks became a lightning rod for accusations of an 'escalation' of the war. Nevertheless, the tanks not only proved their value in the anti-guerrilla campaigns, but also amid the bitter conventional fighting and extraordinary casualties at Hue City.
The ability to undertake such radical change and to prevail demonstrated the versatility, courage and tenacity that are the hallmarks of the 'ordinary' Marine.
Autorentext
Ed Gilbert was a Marine artilleryman and a Battalion Training NCO in the Marine Corps Reserve. He is the author of several oral and operational histories of the Marine Corps' armored units in World War II and the Korean War.
Howard Gerrard studied at the Wallasey School of Art and has been a freelance designer and illustrator for over 20 years. He has won both the Society of British Aerospace Companies Award and the Wilkinson Sword Trophy and has illustrated a number of books for Osprey. Howard lives and works in Kent.
Inhalt
Introduction · Chronology · Enlistment · Training · Belief & Belonging · Appearance & Dress · Everyday Life · Field Operations · Combat - the Tet Offensive · Museums, Collections & Historical Records · Collecting · Cinematic Treatment · Reenactment · Glossary · Bibliography · Color plate commentary · Index