ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’D LIKE TO THANK my agent and friend Andrew Zack for standing by me and also for his countless editorial suggestions and ideas—everything from the subtitle to rewriting the flap copy on the jacket. To my friends: Ben Ibach, for his numerous ideas and keen eye as well as creative mind; Madison Parker, for her editorial comments and spending hours of her free time helping me with this project, and for her unconditional generosity and friendship; David Mindock, for his keen mind and encouragement; Charles “DeGaulle” Severance, for always checking in on me and just plain old caring; and Michael Heffner for his historian’s mind and keen eye. To Theana Kastens for reading and making suggestions to the manuscript, and my friends Chris Butsavage and Brian Fitzpatrick. To Cyndy Harvey for her editorial comments, advice, and other input on the manuscript.
To the staff at Da Capo Press, including the best publicist any author could have, Lissa Warren.
To the men of George Company who opened up their hearts to me and their memories, many of them painful and never told until now. In particular, I’d like to thank Clark Henry, Tom Powers, Bob Harbula, Dick Hock, Bruce Farr, Rocco Zullo, Lieutenant General Richard Carey, Fred Hems, Harrell Roberts, Lieutenant General Steve Olmsted, and Bob Camarillo.Thanks also to the commanding officer of the Fifth Marines, Colonel Willard Buhl, former commander of 3/1, a fellow historian who had recognized and respected the heroic men of George Company and always treasured their participation with the current members of the Thundering Third and Fifth Marines. In addition, thanks to Colonel William Preston McLaughlin for his insight on Task Force Drysdale and his uncle’s contribution.
Most importantly, I’d like to thank my editor and friend Robert Pigeon for the ability to capture the otherwise forgotten pieces of history and allowing us to honor the men of George Company. Bob’s vision and guidance shaped this book from the beginning, and his peerless editorial skills and support brought this chapter of the forgotten war to life.
