US Marine Corps Tank Crewman 1965-70: Vietnam (Warrior) [Paperback]

Oscar Gilbert (Author), Howard Gerrard (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Warrior | Publication Date: October 22, 2004

By 1960, following Korea, tanks and their crews had proved themselves to be a fundamental part of the Marine Corps' combined arms team. When the Marines were ordered to Vietnam in 1965, they took their tanks with them. This book explores this decision, which created a political storm. The presence of the tanks became a lightning rod for accusations of an 'escalation' of the war. Nevertheless, the tanks not only proved their value in the anti-guerrilla campaigns, but also amid the bitter conventional fighting and extraordinary casualties at Hue City. The ability to undertake such radical change and to prevail demonstrated the versatility, courage and tenacity that are the hallmarks of the 'ordinary' Marine.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a very interesting book, which provides a great starter for anyone studying Marine Corp tank operations during the 1960s. From a modeller's point of view, the detailed descriptions and excellent artwork will prove very useful and will, no doubt, be a source of inspiration for many Vietnam dioramas." -Rowan Baylis, Armorama (November 2004)

From the Publisher

Insights into the real lives of history's fighting men, packed with full colour illustrations, highly detailed cutaways, exploded artwork of weaponry and armour, and action-packed battle scenes.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (October 22, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841767182
• ISBN-13: 978-1841767185
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,884,517 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A big 'Numba One', January 11, 2009

By 

John T. Gardner "jnsgardner" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: US Marine Corps Tank Crewman 1965-70: Vietnam (Warrior) (Paperback)

From a fellow Marine from Hill 55 just South of Danang who was given a M48 as a 21st birthday present, this is a great book. Tank warfare in the tropics is not like the movies of deserts like North Africa or Iraq and wide open spaces. No, we weren't knocking over jungle trees all the time (though we could). Our main tasks were mobile artillery and convoy security. We didn't invent the term 'Shock and awe', but it certainly applied.
When they gave me Bravo 52 with a blade, they said not to hurt it. Two weeks later, I ran over a 500lb bomb and hurt it bad. The entire left suspension was gone... not just bent and broken, gone! 1 inch bolts sheared flush. Nobody got hurt except the tank. Being surrounded by homogenous steel certainly was comforting.
Mr. Gilbert does an excellent job of painting the mental images of what is was like having one of these monsters and using it in combat.
My combat experience was not one of fighting every day. My tank was assigned to Capt. Robb's infantry company. He had just married the President's daughter, so the Colonel had told the Major that Capt. Robb was to have a good job, but not a dangerous job, so Capt. Robb, his men, and my tank group were assigned bridge security. Well, what's under bridges but water. For several months, my main enemy in Vietnam was leeches. Namo bridge duty was the high light of my tour. Two Marine tanks surrounded by two thousand Army guys to protect us. Still, I don't want to make light of the experience. I know the names of several fellow Marine Corps tankers on The Wall! This book won't become a NY Times bestseller, but it'll bring back memories for those who were there, both in tanks and those who weren't.

John G