Coley D Tyler's Blog: Ghosts of Fallujah
January 8, 2019
New Foreword
Ghosts of Fallujah
I continue to be humbled by where GOF is going and the impact it is having. I am very honored for the below foreword provided by a remarkable 1st Cavalry Division Commanding General. Check it out in the upcoming second edition copy!
Foreword – “Ghosts of Fallujah”
The 1st Cavalry Division was formed on September 13, 1921 at Fort Bliss, Texas. Ms. Gladys Finch Dorcy, wife of Colonel Ben Dorcy – commander of the 7th Cavalry Regiment at the time – was the creator of the Division’s patch. When asked why the patch was so big – still the biggest in the U.S. Army today – she answered “the patch had to be seen through the dust and sand at Fort Bliss, and we made it that way because it is worn by big men who do big things.” Hundreds of thousands of courageous men and women have worn the iconic “1st Cav” patch since 1921, distinguishing themselves in tough combat including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ms. Dorcy was absolutely right, those that have had the honor of wearing the 1st Cav patch have indeed done “big things”, keeping the gates of freedom open on our behalf.
In “Ghosts of Fallujah”, Coley Tyler provides a gripping account of modern “big men” that have carried forward the legacy of the 1st Cavalry Division and the 7th Cavalry Regiment. It is a detailed narrative of intense urban combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom, but also an inspiring story about ordinary men that accomplished extraordinary feats. The book further incorporates excellent leadership lessons and extols many from the legendary Lieutenant General Hal Moore, an idol of the author and who courageously led “1-7 Cav” in Vietnam during the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley. The thoughtful mix of history, urban warfare, combat leadership, and the human side of battle does indeed provide a “powerful learning tool for others”, just as Lieutenant Colonel Tyler endeavored.
During Operation Al-Fajr, the “Ghost” troopers of “2-7 Cav” were privileged to serve with Regimental Combat Team 1 of the U.S. Marine Corps. Together, these heroic Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines willingly put their lives on the line in a forsaken place and got the job done. They did not serve for money, easy work, or glory. Rather, they chose to be a part of something larger than themselves, and did so exceedingly well. Instead of reading about history, they made history.
Lieutenant Colonel (now Lieutenant General) Jim Rainey, Major (now Brigadier General) Scott Jackson, Major (now Colonel retired) Tim Karcher, Captain (now Colonel) Ed Twadell, and Lieutenant Mike Erwin are personal friends with whom I have been honored to serve before and/or after the Second Battle of Fallujah. As Coley Tyler endears, the Ghost troopers were blessed with tremendous leadership, which remains the most decisive and dynamic element of combat power.
I was recently privileged to command the 1st Cavalry Division, leading them into combat in Afghanistan. Our troopers were fond of saying “Live the Legend”. The Ghost leaders and troopers of 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry clearly “Lived the Legend” in the second Battle of Fallujah. Bravo to Captain (now Lieutenant Colonel) Coley Tyler for sharing this incredible story.
John C. Thomson III
Lieutenant General, U.S. Army
I continue to be humbled by where GOF is going and the impact it is having. I am very honored for the below foreword provided by a remarkable 1st Cavalry Division Commanding General. Check it out in the upcoming second edition copy!
Foreword – “Ghosts of Fallujah”
The 1st Cavalry Division was formed on September 13, 1921 at Fort Bliss, Texas. Ms. Gladys Finch Dorcy, wife of Colonel Ben Dorcy – commander of the 7th Cavalry Regiment at the time – was the creator of the Division’s patch. When asked why the patch was so big – still the biggest in the U.S. Army today – she answered “the patch had to be seen through the dust and sand at Fort Bliss, and we made it that way because it is worn by big men who do big things.” Hundreds of thousands of courageous men and women have worn the iconic “1st Cav” patch since 1921, distinguishing themselves in tough combat including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ms. Dorcy was absolutely right, those that have had the honor of wearing the 1st Cav patch have indeed done “big things”, keeping the gates of freedom open on our behalf.
In “Ghosts of Fallujah”, Coley Tyler provides a gripping account of modern “big men” that have carried forward the legacy of the 1st Cavalry Division and the 7th Cavalry Regiment. It is a detailed narrative of intense urban combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom, but also an inspiring story about ordinary men that accomplished extraordinary feats. The book further incorporates excellent leadership lessons and extols many from the legendary Lieutenant General Hal Moore, an idol of the author and who courageously led “1-7 Cav” in Vietnam during the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley. The thoughtful mix of history, urban warfare, combat leadership, and the human side of battle does indeed provide a “powerful learning tool for others”, just as Lieutenant Colonel Tyler endeavored.
During Operation Al-Fajr, the “Ghost” troopers of “2-7 Cav” were privileged to serve with Regimental Combat Team 1 of the U.S. Marine Corps. Together, these heroic Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines willingly put their lives on the line in a forsaken place and got the job done. They did not serve for money, easy work, or glory. Rather, they chose to be a part of something larger than themselves, and did so exceedingly well. Instead of reading about history, they made history.
Lieutenant Colonel (now Lieutenant General) Jim Rainey, Major (now Brigadier General) Scott Jackson, Major (now Colonel retired) Tim Karcher, Captain (now Colonel) Ed Twadell, and Lieutenant Mike Erwin are personal friends with whom I have been honored to serve before and/or after the Second Battle of Fallujah. As Coley Tyler endears, the Ghost troopers were blessed with tremendous leadership, which remains the most decisive and dynamic element of combat power.
I was recently privileged to command the 1st Cavalry Division, leading them into combat in Afghanistan. Our troopers were fond of saying “Live the Legend”. The Ghost leaders and troopers of 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry clearly “Lived the Legend” in the second Battle of Fallujah. Bravo to Captain (now Lieutenant Colonel) Coley Tyler for sharing this incredible story.
John C. Thomson III
Lieutenant General, U.S. Army
Advance Reviews
Ghosts of Fallujah
"In Ghosts of Fallujah, Coley Tyler brilliantly merges three story lines –(1) the joint operation between the United States Army and the Marines in the Second Battle of Fallujah, the largest single engagement of the Iraq War, with (2) the legacy of the fearless Second Battalion, Seventh Cavalry Regiment, the “Ghost” Battalion, with (3) lessons of dynamic leadership , with special emphasis on the teachings of one of the great leaders of the Vietnam War, General Hal Moore – into an outstanding work. This book is a MUST READ for anyone interested in military history or influential leadership." - Jim Lawrence, author of Reflections on LZ Albany: The Agony of Vietnam
"Coley Tyler describes the detailed fight 2-7 CAV had as the main effort for the 1st Marine Regiment in Fallujah during November 2004. The joint Army-Marine Corps units assembled for the fight epitomized all the very best in the American warrior and the teamwork displayed between Soldier and Marine in combat. Along the way he captures leadership lessons from his mentor, LtGen Hal Moore and his Battalion Commander in Fallujah as well as his own lessons gleaned on the battlefield. Ghosts of Fallujah is a riveting firsthand account of one of the toughest fights of the Iraq War." - LtGen Rich Natonski USMC (Ret) CG 1st MarDiv Operation Al Fajr
"In Ghosts of Fallujah, Coley Tyler brilliantly merges three story lines –(1) the joint operation between the United States Army and the Marines in the Second Battle of Fallujah, the largest single engagement of the Iraq War, with (2) the legacy of the fearless Second Battalion, Seventh Cavalry Regiment, the “Ghost” Battalion, with (3) lessons of dynamic leadership , with special emphasis on the teachings of one of the great leaders of the Vietnam War, General Hal Moore – into an outstanding work. This book is a MUST READ for anyone interested in military history or influential leadership." - Jim Lawrence, author of Reflections on LZ Albany: The Agony of Vietnam
"Coley Tyler describes the detailed fight 2-7 CAV had as the main effort for the 1st Marine Regiment in Fallujah during November 2004. The joint Army-Marine Corps units assembled for the fight epitomized all the very best in the American warrior and the teamwork displayed between Soldier and Marine in combat. Along the way he captures leadership lessons from his mentor, LtGen Hal Moore and his Battalion Commander in Fallujah as well as his own lessons gleaned on the battlefield. Ghosts of Fallujah is a riveting firsthand account of one of the toughest fights of the Iraq War." - LtGen Rich Natonski USMC (Ret) CG 1st MarDiv Operation Al Fajr
Ghosts of Fallujah
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