"The story of Sergeant Major Maurice Jacques is the story of a true warrior. With close to fifty months of combat in Korea and Vietnam, he's one of that rare breed, men who have looked the Devil in the eye?for a long time?and never blinked!"--?LtCol. Oliver North, USMC (Ret.) COMBAT AND DEATH, SACRIFICE AND HONOR Maurice Jacques served for thirty years with the U.S. Marine Corps, nearly six of them in combat. As an accomplished infantryman, parachutist, recon patroller, marksman, combat swimmer, and record-setting drill instructor, Jacques personifies the hard-fought, hard-won legacy of the Marines. With the help of Bruce Norton, he recounts the lessons learned in blood and the courage tested under fire?from the razor-backed hills and icy cold of Korea to the steamy, Vietcong-infested jungles of Nam. In this tough, gripping narrative, he reveals the emotion and chaos of close combat and the sacrifice and valor that have made the Marines legendary worldwide. During his long, dynamic career, Jacques held the position of regimental sergeant major in three different commands and was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. Maurice Jacques is a true warrior, as distinctive and exceptional as the Marines. He was expected to train harder, fight harder, sacrifice more, and is forever proud to be part of the pain, the pride, and the triumph that is USMC. "Doc Norton . . . has done it again. This time, Doc has helped his old diving partner, retired Sergeant Major Maurice Jacques, turn out one of the finest military autobiographies you're ever likely to read . . . You'd be foolish to pass this one up."--Ken Miller, vietnamgear.com

The foundation of the book and my life were instilled by the good order and discipline of the U.S. Army. An institution which mandates camaraderie and diversity within the ranks, despite the trials and tribulations of the greater society. We are shaped as a diversified force which will put aside differences for the greater good.The lesson learned from my service as an American Soldier shaped my development as I matured from adolescence to manhood. Consequently, this education provided the resolve to handle the trials and tribulations of war at an early age and the transformative impact it made.

New insights into the senior command levels of the United States fighting elite. Stories include accounts of men in battles from World War II. This book fills a void in the literature of Marine Corps leadership. Supplying the biographies of the first eleven men to hold the proud title of Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Uncommon Men offers new insights into the senior command levels of the United States' fighting elite. This book portrays not only the lives of those pioneers, but also gives us a social history of the Corps since 1942 as only a Marine could tell it. The Sergeants Major of the Marine Corps come from all parts of the country. Chapin reminds us of their humanity, their families, and off-duty friendships and hobbies, and how they rose through the ranks.

Rachel's Dad is in the Army and has been deployed to Afghanistan for twelve months. Rachel is very sad he is going away for such a long time. Read about the things she and her family did to help make the time pass.

In a military career spanning more than three decades, Bill Bainbridge saw service in three wars, fought in two of them, and was captured in one. He received ten Good Conduct Medals, two awards of the Combat Infantry Badge, three Army Commendation Medals, and the Distinguished Service Medal, among others. But the greatest moment in his career came when he was selected to be Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army, its highest NCO position, an office he was the first to hold for four years. But Bainbridge's most important job in his illustrious career was tending to the welfare of his soldiers. Top Sergeant is all about doing what a good sergeant does best -- attending to the needs of his men -- and what it takes to be a great noncommissioned officer in an army that officers are proud to command but NCOs really run.