And to fellow marines who fought in Vietnam: Let us remember that our war was the costliest, in terms of overall combat casualties, in our 238-year history: 101, 689 killed and wounded in battle, as compared with 87,940 in WWII.
VIETNAM MARINES
by Philip Caputo | Nov 10, 2013 | The Longest Road | 12 comments
Phillip….have 2 pictures from our basic school class. We were in the same platoon during training.
Contact me…731-234-2596 or email: rangerz@ eplus.net
Hope U get this and we can connect
Semper Fi
Dave Cox
Sir,
First read A rumor of War in High School in the 80’s. It was a gift from my mother who knew I wanted to serve when I graduated. Many years later when I returned from Afghanistan and Central America we discussed this book. She told me for the first time that she specifically gave me the book to help prepare me for what I might encounter and mostly to take away some of the illusions young men have of war. Thank you for pouring it all out in this book. You really did make a difference for me.
Respectfully, CW3 Paul Leone
Thanks for The Longest Road. Enjoyed A Rumor of War as well. D. Ingram USMC (Ret)
3/11 and I/3/7 Vietnam
Thanks for the response. Semper Fi.
Sir, i read A Rumor of War in High School during the 90s. After I served 5yrs in the Corps, under 11th and 7th Marines. Semper Fi, Sir.
Mr Caputo a rumor of war ghosts of tsavo great also enjoyed both very much
Dear Philip,
Thank you for writing Rumor of War. I served with the 9th Marines in 1968 in Hue and Phu Bai. Your concise story allowed me to frame VietNam in a way that was understandable to others, was truthful and was critical for my sanity and moving on to a productive life.
After the Corps I went to university, got married, had three sons, and had a decade long career in undersea engineering. At 33 I left the corporate world and answered my calling as an artist blacksmith. Our family has had a good life since. At sixty five I’ve slowed down and divide my time between teaching smithing, occasional commissions, our small farm and a project in Chad Africa.
I’ve just finished The Longest Road and found it tracks my love of road trips. Our family lives on Fidalgo Island near Anacortes. It would have been grand to meet you and Leslie. You have a standing invitation to stay in our guest room and visit with our cows and chickens. There are some beautiful hikes within five minutes of our place that I would enjoy showing you. Best of all, I would like to take you out to the forge shop and hit some hot steel!!
Thanks for your fine work!
With deep respect,
Paul Thorne
Sounds like you got it together, and if A Rumor of War helped you do that, I’m glad I wrote it. If we’re ever out your way again, we’ll look you up and hang out with the cows and chickens.
Best Regards, Phil Caputo
Dear Phil: I have read most of your books and think they are great. I served in the U. S Navy as an aviator from 1952 to 1956. I recently found you latest book in the library and I will be speaking to a Veterans’ group Nov 16 about the love/hate emotions of war. You are the prompt for this talk. My best to you and your wife. Your The Longest Road was just great. Bill
Thank you for your comments.
Semper Fi
Charley Company, 3rd Engineer Battalion April 1965 – May 1966 Danang
Took two college age grandchildren to DC in June and visited for a time with some Marines on The Wall.
Semper Fi and Hoorah!