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Utter's Battalion: 2/7 Marines in Vietnam, 1965-66
In May 1965, the entire 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment--lock, stock, and barrel--embarked for Vietnam.
Captain Alex Lee was there. . . .
Now combat-veteran Marine captain Alex Lee brings to gritty life the full tour of 2/7. From the search-and-destroy missions to the sudden violent ambushes in the hills and valleys west of Qui Nhon, Lee describes how Marines battled monsoons, malaria, and the enemy as they crept through terrain infested with Viet Cong caves and hideouts.
After paving the way in Qui Nhon for the arrival of more American military, 2/7 was assigned to Chu Lai, where the battalion fought its most bitter, deadly battles. With the scalding ring of truth, Lee captures the conditions of the bone-weary 2/7 Marines as they slogged through jungles and spent night after night in dreary, rain-filled foxholes.
Although they faced a life of constant danger and occasional mindless confusion, in their seemingly endless marathon of effort, agony, and sacrifice, the Marines of 2/7 never faltered, never stopped giving their best.
Captain Alex Lee was there. . . .
Now combat-veteran Marine captain Alex Lee brings to gritty life the full tour of 2/7. From the search-and-destroy missions to the sudden violent ambushes in the hills and valleys west of Qui Nhon, Lee describes how Marines battled monsoons, malaria, and the enemy as they crept through terrain infested with Viet Cong caves and hideouts.
After paving the way in Qui Nhon for the arrival of more American military, 2/7 was assigned to Chu Lai, where the battalion fought its most bitter, deadly battles. With the scalding ring of truth, Lee captures the conditions of the bone-weary 2/7 Marines as they slogged through jungles and spent night after night in dreary, rain-filled foxholes.
Although they faced a life of constant danger and occasional mindless confusion, in their seemingly endless marathon of effort, agony, and sacrifice, the Marines of 2/7 never faltered, never stopped giving their best.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 18, 2014
"Utter's Battalion" is not one of those books people term "an enjoyable read". It is the story (a history) of the time spent in Vietnam, 1965-1966 by the Marines of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. This book was written by a Marine officer of this battalion who was there during the period that he recounts.
Lt.Col. Lee offers us a great deal of insight into how various combat plans were formed (on the battalion level) and carried out by the officers and enlisted men. He describes in detail the problems and challenges confronted by these Marines and how they were met and largely overcome. His portraits of the land and conditions under which these men fought and died are quite vivid, and makes the reader wonder just how they managed to survive (at least for those who did).
Certainly if you are or were a Marine (as I was) he includes much detail that was (and usually is)not available to most lower ranks during times and situations and which when read after the fact, does make some sense or not (or as much sense that can be made of things in war).
This book has elements that are frustrating and heartbreaking to read. But it does leave the reader (or at least it did for me) with a sense of pride in the bravery and accomplishment by those who served in this unit at this place at such a terrible time.
One last note: Lt.Col. Lee does not hesitate to express his opinions about many of the things which made the lives of Marines and Soldiers fighting Vietnam so much at risk. I appreciated his views on the high command leadership in the pentagon, in Saigon, and in Washington DC, with respect to how much these people did to undermine the efforts of those who actually engaged the enemy in combat.
Lt.Col. Lee offers us a great deal of insight into how various combat plans were formed (on the battalion level) and carried out by the officers and enlisted men. He describes in detail the problems and challenges confronted by these Marines and how they were met and largely overcome. His portraits of the land and conditions under which these men fought and died are quite vivid, and makes the reader wonder just how they managed to survive (at least for those who did).
Certainly if you are or were a Marine (as I was) he includes much detail that was (and usually is)not available to most lower ranks during times and situations and which when read after the fact, does make some sense or not (or as much sense that can be made of things in war).
This book has elements that are frustrating and heartbreaking to read. But it does leave the reader (or at least it did for me) with a sense of pride in the bravery and accomplishment by those who served in this unit at this place at such a terrible time.
One last note: Lt.Col. Lee does not hesitate to express his opinions about many of the things which made the lives of Marines and Soldiers fighting Vietnam so much at risk. I appreciated his views on the high command leadership in the pentagon, in Saigon, and in Washington DC, with respect to how much these people did to undermine the efforts of those who actually engaged the enemy in combat.
December 28, 2007
Tells the story of my father's battalion in Viet Nam. It was worth reading if only for that reason.
April 24, 2008
Tells the story of my father's battalion in Viet Nam. It was worth reading if only for that reason.
September 11, 2008
Tells the story of my father's battalion in Viet Nam. It was worth reading if only for that reason.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews