Charles D. Melson – författare

During the Cold War, Vietnam showed the limitations of a major power in peripheral conflicts. Even so, the military forces involved (North Vietnamese, South Vietnamese, American, and Allied) demonstrated battlefield consistency in conflict that gave credit to them all.When North Vietnam launched its massive Easter Offensive against the South in late March 1972 (the first invasion effort since the Tet Offensive of 1968), its scale and ferocity caught the US high command off balance. The inexperienced South Vietnamese soldiers manning the area south of Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone in former US bases, plus the US Army and Marines Corps advisors and forces present, had to counter a massive conventional combined-arms invasion. The North's offensive took place simultaneously across three fronts: Quang Tri, Kontum, and An Loc. In I Corps Tactical Zone, the PAVN tanks and infantry quickly captured Quang Tri City and overran the entire province, as well as northern Thua Thien. However, the ARVN forces regrouped along the My Chanh River, and backed by US airpower tactical strikes and bomber raids, managed to halt the PAVN offensive, before retaking the city in a bloody counteroffensive.Based on primary sources and published accounts of those who played a direct role in the events, this book provides a highly detailed analysis of this key moment in the Vietnam conflict. Although the South's forces managed to withstand their greatest trial thus far, the North gained valuable territory within South Vietnam from which to launch future offensives and improved its bargaining position at the Paris peace negotiations.

The period following World War 2 saw a number of associated Marine Corps, three of whom fought together during the war in Vietnam from 1965 to 1973.These Corps were similar formations, but each had its own history and traditions: they were the United States Marines, the Vietnamese Marines, and the Korean Marines. Common to them was a reputation for toughness on themselves and any foreign or domestic enemies; strong unit pride and loyalty; and a privileged place within the political structure of their respective countries.This richly-illustrated account by US Marine historian Charles Melson describes the history, weapons, equipment, uniforms and insignia of the US, Vietnamese and Korean Marines who fought in Vietnam.

In 1976 Maj. James Capers Jr. welcomed new men and their families into a force reconnaissance company.'Only the most capable Marines are selected for this duty due to rigid mental and physical demands. A very thorough screening of each applicant is conducted … to test alertness and endurance. The result is a small elite unit with highly qualified Marines who are considered the best in the world'.Ex-Marine Charles D Melson examines the history, equipment and insignia of the Marines' amphibious and ground long-range patrol reconnaissance specialists in this volume which contains a wealth of photographs and 12 full page colour plates by Paul Hannon.

Written by a veteran of the Vietnam War, this volume provides an in-depth look at the experience of the ordinary US marine 'grunt' in Vietnam.Organisation of the corps, weaponry, equipment, uniforms, training and medical arrangements are all discussed. Featuring a rare level of detail, the book unifies all these differing aspects of marine life under the point of view of a soldier serving in the conflict.Informed by direct personal experience, this is a unique angle on what it was like to be a US Marine rifleman in Vietnam.