Give Me Tomorrow

Turpen died in January 2010. He and many of the other members of First Platoon continued to be haunted by their experiences in Iraq.

My book, We Were One (Da Capo, 2006) tells the story of the men of Lima Company First Platoon, 3/1 Marine Regiment at the battle of Fallujah, where I walked shoulder-to-shoulder with the platoon. Nearly six years have passed since the Battle of Fallujah, and on most days, my experience there feels like a dream.At other times, my memories become so vivid and dramatic that it seems as if it all happened yesterday.

Some members of George Company knew Zullo survived the war, including a few in the room at the reunion, but most of the company thought the first sergeant perished on November 29, 1950.

The Soviets cheaply and efficiently manufactured the T-34, arguably the greatest tank of WWII and the first main battle tank ever produced, in large numbers. In fact, it became the most produced tank of the war. It boasted frontal armor of 45 mm and a robust main gun. Although lacking in creature comforts, the tank was known for its speed and reliability, as well as its maneuverability. It saw service in many armies long after World War II.

3.5-inch bazookas could stop a T-34 cold, but tragically were not issued to the unit for a variety of reasons, including supply problems.

Fifty years later, the Marine Corps, in an official ceremony during a George Company reunion in San Diego, would officially graduate many of the reservists from boot camp.

The gun weighed about 31 pounds, while the tripod added another 19 pounds. Boxes of ammo holding 250 rounds weighed approximately 15 pounds each. ^† His views on war would later be tempered after experiencing it for himself.

Typical Marine Corps unit organization and strength are as follows:

Division 15,000+
Regiment 5,000+
Battalion 1,000+
Company 200+
Platoon 46
Squad 13
Fire team 4

The number of personnel is subject to change based on the unit’s mission.

Shepherd later changed his mind, saying, “I was dead wrong.Tell your classmates this was the best group of lieutenants that ever hit the Corps.”

Sagan joined the Marine Corps at the tail end of 1945 and later played an extra in the movie The Sands of Iwo Jima.

Barnes was a Southern boy, and all he kept talking about was a mule called “Old Blue.” All he wanted to do was follow behind Old Blue and plow his fields.That was his goal after getting through the war.

His family received a letter from Murphy that was postmarked on September 17, which led his family to believe he was still alive, even after they received official notification from the Marine Corps that his death had occurred on September 15, 1950.The Corps conducted an official inquiry into the incident.

Several other members of George Company mentioned they also fired on the stack, so it is not known who actually silenced the sniper.

Several of the men later recalled that these men were recaptured, while others simply remember the men fleeing.

Tillman received the Silver Star for his actions that day.

GMC-manufactured, six-wheeled amphibious trucks.

As R.W.Thompson from The Daily Telegraph wrote, “The slightest resistance brought down a deluge of destruction, blotting out the area.”

Thirty-five years later Pendas was reunited with New at the home of Harrell Roberts. New somewhat begrudgingly said, “You son of a bitch you broke my neck when you put me down.” Pendas was awarded the Bronze Star for taking out the machine gun nest.

Enos’s fate was also tied to the draw. Shortly after the incident described, Beeler transferred the machine gunner from Second Platoon to First Platoon. Enos credits the administrative change with possibly saving his life.

Since joining George Company in California, Harbula had built a friendship with Hurt, and they had spent liberty together in Japan.

Including Jim Byrne, Paul Price, Clayton Sepulveda, and Steve Olmsted, among others.

They have since remained the very best of friends for nearly sixty years.

Since November 1950, Harrell Roberts has not played another game of Hearts.

Sepulveda, after recovering from his burns and returning to active duty, was shot in the chest and killed in action by a sniper in 1951.

In the words of historian S.L.A. Marshall, they were “a phantom which cast no shadow.”

Chinese soldiers could be discharged for old age or disease.

On the night of November 28, the Chinese attacked Hagaru-ri in full force.Army engineers, cooks, bakers, anyone that could be assembled, quickly rushed into the perimeter to hold the line. The greatest threat came from a massive Chinese attack on a large hill mass, known as East Hill, on the northeast portion of Hagaru-ri.Whoever held East Hill held the high ground over the Marine Corps headquarters. East Hill also overlooked and touched upon the MSR, which entered Hagaru-ri from the south.As a result, East Hill took on enormous importance. Like Little Round Top in the Civil War’s Battle of Gettysburg, it would profoundly affect the entire campaign and war. On this night of November 28, the hand-to-hand fighting turned brutally savage.The Chinese nearly overran Hagaru-ri that night. Marine Corps headquarters desperately needed reinforcements.

To this day, George Company and the British Marines maintain a strong affinity; each often invites the other company to its reunions.

Later, George Company made Agostini an honorary Marine. When he attended George Company reunions, he would get up and say, “I’m John Agostini.” The entire room would give him a standing ovation.

Fifty years later, that same Marine would recognize Powers at a reunion. “I’d have recognized that booming Brooklyn accent from anywhere; you’re the one that told me it was just a scratch.” Powers later replied, “What did you want me to say?” The only saving grace about the weather was that the -30 degree temperatures caused blood to freeze and wounds to close up faster. That fact actually saved the lives of several George Company veterans.

In 1984, a Navy cargo ship was named in his honor, the William B. Baugh.

Later, he remembered one of his countless brushes with death: “I had left the side of the truck only seconds before. If Ihad stayed I would have been shot.”

Eventually, Edwards was evacuated to Japan.

McLaughlin was the Assistant G-3 and Corps liaison officer with First Marine Division.

Operation Big Switch, where of the forty-four Marines listed as MIA, twenty-five either escaped or were liberated in the operation.

O. P. Smith put it best: “The casualties of Task Force Drysdale were heavy, but by its partial success the Task Force made a significant contribution to holding of Hagaru, which was vital to the Division.To the slender infantry garrison of Hargaru were added a tank company of about 100 men and some 300 seasoned infantrymen.” See notes for further discussion.

Carey would later retire as a Lieutenant General.

Wyman later rose to sergeant major in the Marine Corps.

Wilson would earn the Medal of Honor six months later in another epic stand on Hill 902.

Olmstead later retired as a lieutenant general.

As Colonel Willie Buhl, 3/1’s commanding officer in Fallujah and later CO of the Fifth Marines, would comment, “The men of 1950 were of the finest stock.”

[Korea, December 1950.] This Is War!, p. 144.

Despite the loss of civilian life the U.S. forces evacuated a staggering 91,000 of these civilians from the port of Hungnam.

See Appendix E for a complete list of the fallen members of George Company.