Promised that he won’t have to fight in combat; instead of being drafted for two years; 19-year-old John Lefter enlists for a three-year hitch in the Army Security Agency and ends up in the Korean War. At first; Lefter has a “candy ass†assignment 30 miles behind the fighting area. He spends a lot of time drinking beer; laughing; and partying. Then he is forced to face his own mortality after being assigned bunker duty in the fighting area. He breaks down after his foul-mouthed buddy is hit with burp gun fire while saving Lefter’s life. In a hospital psychiatric ward; his recovery is aided dramatically by an innovative doctor and the only man he has ever hated. Back on the front line and atop the bunker celebrating just after the cease-fire; Lefter is again confronted with a shocking incident that takes him over fifty years to find closure for.
#586260 in Books Naval Institute Press 2009-10-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x 1.16 x 6.40l; 1.41 #File Name: 159114826X360 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Shepard was a fine warrior but easily manipulated by kiss up sycophantsBy KENNETH.W.WEIRConsiderable new insight to the character of General O.P. Smith. Typical family take on a relative. Author could have really unloaded on Krulak but pulled her punches. Cates may not have paid much attention to the administrative side of command but he sure had the right take on his immediate subordinates and contemporaries. Shepard was a fine warrior but easily manipulated by kiss up sycophants. Weak commandant. Still a good document about the sorry saga of Marine Corps general officers internal politics and personality conflicts that detract from the luster of the Corps and the legacy of some of her illustrious warriors. Unfortunately Semper Fidelis does not apply to general officer infighting and self serving interests.The tolerance for Almond by the Army general officers is easily understandable knowing the character of Army officer mentality.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Big D's review of 'For Country and Corps'By Big DThis is the best book I've read about the military leadership of the US during the Korean War. I loved the flowing narrative of the biography of O.P. Smith and the incredible challenges he faced from his superiors in WWII and Korea: General Rupertus (Peleliu); General Almond and General MacArthur in Korea. I am a former Marine; 1973-1976; and was not aware of General O.P. Smith's brilliant leadership in Korea. Marine Corps history paid much more attention to Chesty Puller.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A life well worth remembranceBy Thomas R. BodenlosI had read and studied General Smith's role in Korea before which is the stuff of legend. What stands out even more in this book is the make up of the man. A serious student and teacher in his profession. A man of understated nature yet able to stand solidly for things he believed in. A man of flexible thought and action. A man who cared deeply about his men and their welfare doing his duty to the best of his ability.
