The Vietnam War was the prolonged struggle between nationalist forces attempting to unify the country of Vietnam under a communist government and the United States (with the aid of the South Vietnamese) attempting to prevent the spread of communism. This book is a true personal story of a young Navy corpsman's tour-of-duty with the 1st Marine Division's elite 1st Force Reconnaissance Company in Vietnam during the years of 1967-1968.

Born into a middle-class Jewish family in Detroit, Mike Rabin continually hopes for a better future. Wanting to be a free spirit, Mike drops out of Cass Tech's art program in the eleventh grade. But in his neighborhood, he is more likely to end up as a street hustler instead of something more prestigious, a fact that makes him feel pessimistic on more than one occasion. Strongly influenced by his family roots, Mike also feels burdened with wartime angst. During World War II, he wasn't old enough to join the service and avenge the Jewish people, not to mention participate in one of the biggest events of his generation. But when the Korean War breaks out, eighteen-year-old Mike eagerly enlists in the U.S. Navy and is sent to Hospital Corps School. Even though he frequently volunteers to be a fleet marine corpsman, Mike spends the entire Korean War never seeing combat. But Mike's cultural roots and his relationships with the people he meets in the navy influence his attitude-an attitude that pushes him toward hope and away from the cynical pessimism of his youth. Rub Up: Musings of a Navy Corpsman is one sailor's inspiring journey of self-discovery.

Stephanie continues her journey, picking right up where "A Corpsman's Legacy" left off in this fascinating sequel. Having learned that her birth father, Gary Norman Young, was killed in the Vietnam War before she was born, she unraveled the mystery of her father's courage, bravery and finally his death as a Navy Corpsman assigned to the world-famous Marine Corps Purple Fox helicopter squadron. Now, as she uncovers even more information about her father and his crewmembers, Stephanie continues to help Vietnam veterans open up and realize that through all the heartache, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Stephanie's journey also follows the Foxes as a new generation of Marines goes to war, and encounters a stunning twist of fate that ties the Vietnam and Iraq wars together like never before. "A Corpsman's Legacy Continues" chronicles the tremendous kindness and courage of our nation's veterans as they talk openly about a time that shaped their lives forever. And woven throughout the many stories is the power of one man's legacy to heal the wounds of war.

"Vic Edwards, an Ohio farm boy and college drop-out, was seven years older than the average Marine in Vietnam. About to be drafted, he joined the Navy, went to Hospital Corps School, and was later assigned to the Marine Corps. Destination Vietnam. Though the cause seemed noble at the time, he was hardly prepared for the challenges that lay ahead. Leaving the nurturing support of family and community, he would face physical, moral, and spiritual challenges on a scale never before experienced. Where there are soldiers, vices follow. Confronted with such temptations in seemingly secure areas, he was confronted with trepidation to do as taught and trained, or to give up and give in to the new situation. His spirit reminded him to be faithful to his family and community and to the creed of the corps, "Simper Fidelis," always faithful to God, country, and the Marine Corps. Vic Edwards takes you with him through the crucible of the Vietnam War as he faces the challenges of battle, the mental and emotional roller coaster of grief and loss, and the spiritual struggles with God's claim on his life. He shares with you the humor and pathos of young men sent to a foreign land to bring stability and peace while his own country is rocked with riot and turmoil." --page [4] of cover

This is the story of a not so good, bullied, student who joins the Navy and finds a home and a new life, during a troubled time in American History. It begins in grade school where the boy is forced to fight and run for his survival, from bigger, older students and class mates. The boys troubles continues when he is placed in special education classes and not allowed to take part in school sports. It follows the boy into the Navy and his career that follows. From boot camp to “A” school, the hospitals, Fleet Marine Force training then Vietnam. His duty stations and assignments for the next 29 years and beyond. There are funny, sad and spiritual events. From a lost human being to a productive citizen, who has seen more than anyone should have had to.

This is the touching story of a young lady's search for her biological father. It is also a compelling story of the Marines who took in Stephanie as one of their own because her father was a Navy Corpsman. There is no person more respected and loved by Marines then their "Doc"--Their Corpsman who shares the hardship and misery of combat to save Marines lives, sometimes sacrificing their own. Stephanie's dad is a true hero to all of us who wore the Marine uniform. LtGen Micheal A. Hough, USMC(ret) Former Deputy Commandant for Aviation (taken from the back cover of book)

Vietnam was often called a “teenager’s war.” The average age was 19.2, so in the main, the War was fought by 17, 18, 19 and 20 year olds barely out of high school and often without the income, intelligence, inclination, or focus to attend college. For everyone, the draft loomed large in our futures, so you could choose your branch of service or let the draft decide for you. This was the 60’s. Fresh from sock hops and college freshman mixers, young men found themselves in a fight for their lives, from the Delta to the DMZ, on animal trails, numbered hills and in remote jungle outposts. Teenagers witnessed the unspeakable carnage of war while trying to understand the collision of emotions and insult to the senses that is combat. Thousands died there and many thousands more were wounded and maimed. So the hell of combat was replaced by the painful recovery in a military hospital. For me and thousands of others it was Great Lakes Naval Hospital at Great Lakes, Illinois. For Self and Country follows my many months of recovery along with the stories of the brave young men who surrounded me and sustained me with friendship, uncommon humor, and courage. This is a story of family, young love, and the magnificent care administered by the Navy doctors, nurses and revered Corpsmen. Great Lakes was a place of great pain but also recovery, not just from the physical damage we sustained but also the unseen emotional injuries everyone endured but rarely talked about. We helped each other in our recovery by talking to each other about our wartime experiences and how we would need to cope outside the insulated and protected hospital. Most of us had no expectation of surviving Vietnam; now that we had we were unsure what place we would have in civilian life.