Customer Reviews

USMC Tanker's Korea: The War in Photos, Sketches, and Letters Home

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S/SGT CHRIS SARNO - USMC The creator of this tome puts you squarely behind the devasting 90mm weapon on his M-46A1 Patton class tank; plus, many more direct fire adventures and those side trips to teduim and despair that is synonymous with the eternal, war-weary combat tankers. This was all accomplished through letters sent home by the storyteller and preserved by a loving and sagacious mother. In this depiction of the War in Korea, puncuated by death and despair, it also demonstrated the elixir of daily victories against a resolute and formidale enemy in mortal combat. This is not only a superior read but also a treat to the eye with a profusion of on-the-scene photos and the authors's penchant at illustrated drawings and sketches well done. It also explores the intensive training of all Marines who volunteered to go to Korea and to serve in the Fleet Marine Force. This literary work personalized and covered a myriad of what Marine tankers were all about: their virulent mindset, and their military accomplishements in the field, which unfolded day in and night out. Roger Baker's natural style unmasks the naked truth of how Marines survive under combat conditions and the trials and tribulations of conduct in the Reserve area. He even has the veracity to share his reason for existence with his personal life. His writing of such, symbolized the youth of America; regardless, to his country's pathetic apathy on what was taking place in Korea 1950-1953. Take for instance, the Bon-Voyage out of Korea in the final chapter. With all the death and destruction behind this exodus, the rip-roaring climax mirrors there was no safe haven in Korea. It was a full blown War in Korea, who am I? Just another combat Marine tanker who squeezed the 90 mm trigger just like the humble but eloquent author. Semper Fidelis

The End

This book took me to a place I knew nothing about, and did it with language vivid as the photos that stud the text. Perfect? No. Moving? Yes. This is war. Read and learn.

I found myself many times feeling as though I was there with Roger. There were times I laughed and had tears. I especially like the idea of his personal account of what it was like being a young man so far from home, building new relationships and dealing with losing those close to him. I'm thankful Roger wrote home consistenly and his family saved all his letters and drawings, more than that I am thankful Roger has shared his experience with us, taking many of us to a place we have never been, but walked away feeling what it was like to have been there.

Roger Baker shares with all readers his personal account of his year in Korea. His letters home were extraordinary in their level of feelings and honesty and yet allowing his parents to be part of this very difficult time in his life. I found the book warm, funny, sad and yet very tender. Tankers are a special group of men for sure, and living in these machines in the heat of summer and cold of winter must have been unbearable. Roger lets us experience his trip to adulthood in a very personal way. He is a true American Hero.

The creator of this tome puts you squarely behind the devastating 90mm flat-trajectory weapon on his Patton Series M-46A1 tank; plus, many more direct fire adventures and the inevitable side trips to tedium and despair that is synonomous with the eternal, war-weary combat Marine tankers. This was all accomplished through his letters sent home and preserved by his loving and sagacious mother. In his depiction of the War in Korea, punctuated by death and misery all around is clearly expressed. Conversely, it also demonstrates the exlixir of daily triumphs against a resolute and formidable enemy locked in mortal combat. This is not only a superior read, but also a treat to the eye with a myriad of on the scene photos and the author's brillant penchant at illustrations and sketches well done. It also explores the brutal and intensive training of all Marines who volunteered for a combat tour to Korea. Only the finest specimen of a Marine entered Korea for service in the Fleet Marine Force. This literary work personalized and covered a polygot of details of what Marine tankers were all about: their virulent mindset and their military accomplishments in the field, which unfolded day-in and night-out. ..THE ENEMY ALWAYS FOUGHT AT NITE!! [close combat]...Roger Baker's natural style unmasks the unvarnished truth of how Marines survived under severe combat conditions and the trials and tribulations of misconduct in the Reserve Area. He even puts a stamp on his own veracity for expressing his love/lust for life. His writings of such, symbolizes the courageous youth of America; regardless, to his own country's pathetic apathy on what is taking place in Korea [1950-1953]. By your leave, take for instance his 'Bon Voyage' out of Korea in the final chapter. With all the death and destruction during his combat tour of duty, a rip-roaring climax takes place on the loading docks at Inchon...it mirrors, there was never a safe haven in Korea. It was a full blown WAR despite President Harry Truman's smoke/screen, "It's only a 'Police Action' and nothing to fear"...yeah, sure Mr. President...It was WAR in Korea...who am I??...just another Marine tank gunner, who also squeezed the 90mm trigger just like our humble and eloquent author...this is one hellava read...Semper Fidelis....SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC FMF

It's been half a century since the conflict, but this book really takes the reader back. The letters home might have been written by any 18 year old man/boy of today or any other time. For anyone who was there, who lived the war, who breathed the dust, and smelled the stench of Korea, this book is like walking back through a door into the war. Vets, this is a direct order: READ IT!

Please send my purchase or credit my account. Thank you.

David G. Bauer