Don't Bunch Up One Marine's Story

Captain William Van Zanten was one of the "Magnificent Bastards" of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, in 1966a year when any day could bring death or dismemberment from a Bouncing Betty or a punji stake, a firefight or a sniper bullet. He and his men faced B-52-sized mosquitoes, rain, heat, disease, and a determined and elusive enemy who kept the Marines off-balance, edgy, and sleepless. Yet Van Zanten persevered with a soldierly professionalism built on rigorous training. Dedication and boot camp forged the volunteer Marines of the early war years, so when the stakes went through the roof in Vietnam, commitment of man to man and man to unit was total. They supported each other with a soldier's intimacy and endured with a soldier's humorand together that meant survival. From the Paperback edition.

WILLIAM VAN ZANTEN served in Vietnam with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, in 1965—66. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Navy Commendation Medal, and a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Now a partner in the executive search firm Quantico, Consulting, Van Zanten lives with his wife, Myrna, in Payson, Arizona. This is his first book.