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Herbert--The Making of a Soldier

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This book is an account of infantry combat in the Korean War by the war's most decorated soldier. Soon after the war Herbert wrote "Conquest to Nowhere" this book is a more detailed account of his 13 months in Korea. Prior to the war Herbert served as a paratrooper and cold weather survival expert. He arrived in Korea in '50, still a private, and attached himself to the 2nd Division by going AWOL from a replacement depot. When the Chinese entered the war Herbert was attached out to a Turkish brigade and earned the Osminieh, their version of the Medal of Honor and one of only nine men to ever recieve it. Back with his own men he experienced cold and hunger and had many escapes from an advancing enemy. He recieved four Purple Hearts. One Purple Heart was for two gun shot wounds in the leg, a bayonet slash across his side, and a bayonet in the back. He was offered a battlefield commission, which he refused, but was promoted to Master SGT on the spot. Later, when his company was in reserve, he stayed on the line with the Marines who awarded him one of three Silver Stars, he also recieved two Bronze Stars,the Ville De Paris,the Distinguished UN medal,the Korean Service Medal with six battle stars, and various other awards. While fighting near HeartBreak Ridge he was pulled from the lines and sent to Washington D.C. to meet Pres. Truman. His home town gave him a parade and he was awarded the New York State Medal Of Honor. He then started a world tour as America's most decorated soldier. After his discharge Herbert wrote "Conquest To Nowhere" and continued to do P.R. work for the army. He even went to Hollywood, for the army, for the purpose of being photographed with Audie Murphy and was a guest on Groucho Marx's "You bet Your Life Show." This is a good infantry book by a man now mostly forgotten.

This book relates the first person experiences of Anthony Herbert, whose single-minded dedication to his mission led him back to the battle front over and over. Wounds, injuries and an open door to safer environs did not deter him.

He killed countless enemy soldiers; he won more decorations than any other soldier in Korea, yet his sense of honor would not permit him to cross the line and kill a civilian or burn a village.

Herbert's story is as tough and gritty as the man himself. But if you come to the last paragraph of the last page with a dry eye, you're a calloused soul, indeed.

A great Book about a Great Soldier. Easy to read and follow. I recomend it to any veteran

I was privileged to serve under Anthony B. Herbert in the 2/505 Parachute Infantry, 82 Airborne at Ft. Bragg, in 1965. What a soldier! At the time I didn't know his history and war record in Korea. I was just an E-5 then, but I always admired him for his no nonsense leadership abilities. He commanded by the book and served as an example to all of us. I can recall that he once told us that whoever holds out for the last two or three seconds is the one who wins the battle. In 1965 he stopped me in Dominican Republic and questioned me about the "non-uniform" Kabar Marine fighting knife that I had strapped to my leg. He asked me what platoon I was in and I told him I was in Lt. Sosa's Recon Platoon. He let me keep the knife on and went his way. I always admired him for that. When I read this book and his descriptions of war actions, I was amazed that it was a genuine description of this man and his determination to do his duty. I'd recommend this book to anyone who needs a hero. Tony B.