Green Ghosts [Paperback]

W. Floyd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 2004

If I had it to do over
Had to face it once again
I wouldn’t change a moment
I would do it with these men.

In this company of heroes
I’d face another war
Print another page in history
For our Country and our Corps.

Product Details

• Paperback: 259 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (September 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595329195
• ISBN-13: 978-0595329199
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #532,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 3D FORCE RECONNAISSANCE COMPANY, November 8, 2004

By 

Bill Bentley "3D FORCE RECON" (Gulf Breeze, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Green Ghosts (Paperback)

LtCol Bill Floyd, USMC (ret), the first XO and then CO of this volunteer company formed in Camp Geiger, Camp Lejeune, NC in 1965, chronicles the Vietnam combat experiences of his highly trained Marines and navy corpsmen, commissioned for special duty in support of the 3D Marine Division along the DMZ. Writing from the heart, desiring to leave a written legacy of the men he deeply respected, Bill Floyd describes first person accounts of his men in combat against NVA regulars, men in covertly inserted 4-8 man recon teams, patrolling for several days often beyond the reach of supporting fire. Readers will taste the tension, the fear, the pride, and the professionalism of the men so respected by the writer. The personal accounts are stunning in scope. Recon Marines saved hundreds of their fellow grunts who would have faced overwhelming odds if the recon Marines had not executed their role so superbly often surrounded by NVA forces. Recon casualties were many but none of the wounded, the dead, or the survivors, would regret their great sacrifices, because of their pride and dedication to each other in their performance in accomplishing some of the most dangerous duty in Vietnam.
Bill (Doc) Bentley, 3d Force Recon, 1966-67.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From one who served with W. C. Floyd in 3d Force, October 30, 2004

By 

Iceboat 6 (San Diego, CA.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Green Ghosts (Hardcover)

This is a story, told in their own words, of the Marines and corpsmen of 3d Force reconnaissance company; it's a story of valor, sacrifice and, above all, devotion to their fellow Marines and sailors. Other books (Alex Lee's "Force Recon Command and Bruce Norton's "Force Recon Diary") have covered the company's latter years in Vietnam. This book begins with the formation of the company in 1965 and its initial deployment to Vietnam in 1966. I had the honor of serving as a platoon commander and intelligence officer in 1967/8. It was a highpoint of my life to serve with the men in this book.

When 3d Force Recon Co. was formed in October 1965 then Captain, W. C. Floyd was the initial executive officer. He took command of the company in June 1966 and remained in that billet until November 1967. He oversaw the training and preparation prior to and then the deployment to Vietnam. He has intertwined the accounts of the men in the company with historical notes from Ray Stubbe's Aarugha, the history of Marine Corps force reconnaissance, and his own perspective as the commanding officer. It is a story well worth reading.

There are many descriptions of patrolling in the field and enemy contacts. It's worth reading this book to benefit from the many "lessons learned" by recon teams working in extreme conditions. It's also an excellent account of equipment, tactics and techniques used in a war that is, for most of today's Marines, ancient history.

The book covers all aspects of company operations, from patrolling to support activities. Some of these, like the road convoys (called "rough riders") which inserted many teams and the communication network which kept the teams in contact with the rear, are important but little known parts of the overall recon operation.

One chapter is devoted to the courageous Navy corpsmen who were members of the company. These sailors were two time volunteers, first volunteering to serve with the FMF and second, to serve in force recon. Anyone who has served with corpsmen, particularly in combat, has the highest respect for these men.

I personally found the chapter titled "Reflections" the most moving part of the book. In this chapter, as the title indicates, members of the company, now all well into middle age, reflect back on what serving in 3d Force means to them. It, more than anything else, is a commentary on what was, for most of us, one of the high points of our lives.

I think present day Marines will enjoy this book, not only for the descriptions of combat in Vietnam but also for the deeper message of the bonding of men in war. I'm sure that many Marines who have served in Iraq can and will relate to the experiences and feelings in this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read...well crafted...beautiful, October 7, 2004

By 

Eddie Delezen (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Green Ghosts (Paperback)

Reading through this book I found that it personifies the word "family". It is an excellent collection of anecdotes presented in a fashion that is neither subjective nor objective but something else...something that crosses all of these parameters and leaves the reader astonished that such things did in fact occur... perhaps this can only be classified as a "labor of love".
As a writer I found the book to be well crafted and of course extremely informative; but, as a poet I found it to be something more, something that forces it's way into the heart of the reader conguring a smile or perhaps a tear. Though he will never admit it...this effort was not an easy task for the author. This is his gift to those that he led into what was then the "worst place on Earth". I, along with many others, watched as he unselfishly wrote about the "teen-aged warriors" that would have followed him into the depths of Hell had he asked. I am proud to be mentioned in this wonderful work of art. From all of us, thanks Bill.
Eddie Delezen 3rd Force Recon Co. Nov. 1965 - Dec. 1968.
Author of ...Eye of the Tiger...and ...Thoughts Etched in Jade.