Leatherneck Legends: Conversations With the Marine Corps' Old Breed

by R.D. Camp

Within the Marine Corps the “Old Breed” has a special meaning, referring to the soldiers of the 1st Marine Division and their heroic defense of Guadalcanal in the early days of World War II, as well as to those who have gone before.  This book gives today’s readers a rare chance to hear these old soldiers tell their own stories and to learn firsthand what it was like to be there for some of the twentieth century’s most harrowing battles and powerful triumphs.  From personal interviews and the archives of oral history, the author has collected the reminiscences of the Marine Corps’ top rank of post-World War II officer legends, from early fifties commandant Lemuel Shepherd’s memories of Belleau Wood in World War I to on-the-spot accounts of leading soldiers into battle in Vietnam.  Many of Camp’s subjects were commandant of the Corps, most were four-star generals, and all were heroes whose stories are the stuff of history.

Genres: Military Fiction, History, American History, Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2006

About the author

Colonel Richard D. "Dick" Camp Jr., a Purple Heart recipient, served 26 years in the U.S. Marine Corps before retiring in 1988. Upon retirement he served as the Deputy Director, U.S. Marine Corps History Division (he was Acting Director for most of 2006) and as the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, Vice President for Museum Operations at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, Virginia. Currently residing in Fredericksburg, Virginia, he is the author of ten books and over 100 magazine articles on various military related subjects.

Reviews

[Bonnie_blu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Camp picks five Marine leaders who he obviously admires greatly and recounts events from their lives and careers. Since he is an admirer of these men, this is not a history per se. Even so, it is a fascinating read, and provides lesson after lesson as to what makes a great leader.

[Matthew Dambro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection of interviews with older Marines, primarily high ranking officers. The writing is effortless and the research is solid. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the "Old Corps" (however that is defined). It covers the period from WW I through Vietnam. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[Mahlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Leatherneck Legends, retired Marine Colonel Dick Camp has combined his own personal interviews, with material from the Marine Corps archives to tell the stories of some of the Corps heroic "Old Breed" He explores the relationships between five Marines whose service spanned from WWI-Vietnam, highlighting the qualities that made them such effective combat leaders. Leatherneck Legends is both an engaging time capsule, and a leadership primer for future Marines. An absolute must for Marines, their families, or anyone who is interested in the history of the Corps.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be quite readable with interesting portraits of a number of well known Marine Corps officers. He shows in great detail how these men grew and developed as Marines.

As a marine I found much here that I could relate to (even as an enlisted man)and much information that made some of my experiences in the Corps a bit
more understandable.

I suspect anyone interested in Marine Corps history will find this book revealing. I am glad to have this as a new addition to my bookshelve.

Dick Camp has written an outstanding account of these men's lives
in the Marine Corps.