"Corpsman Up" is the cry that echoes across the battlefield whenever a Marine is wounded in combat. The book tells the story of men at war from a unique perspective; that of a medical specialist assigned to a Marine combat platoon. It is 1969; Hospital Corpsman Mike Lombardo arrives in Vietnam determined to follow in the footsteps of his Dad and Grandfather in war. He quickly discovers there is nothing glamorous or heroic about war. Through Mike's eyes you go on a journey into a living hell and experience the thrills and horror of combat, the agony of the wounded and dead and see foxhole relationships develop between blacks and whites, farm boys and city kids. Experience the anguish, and concern with Mike, when friend after friend is wounded and he knows that their lives are in his hands and then wonders for the rest of his life if he did the right things.

I was knocked down by a shell. As I found myself laying on my back, the half-full flamethrower tank pinning me to the ground, a North Korean soldier came at me with his bayonet. In his quilted suit, he seemed to come out of nowhere. I can still see his face and smell the garlic on his breath. As he lunged at me, I was able to turn, but he stabbed my upper left arm with his bayonet. I had a double-barrel shotgun taped on the arm of my flamethrower and gave him both barrels. I think I blew him in half. The battle kept going on around me. Weapons fire was all around me, and I heard other boys being hit and falling. I laid there feeling weak as blood from my deep wound seeped out on the Korean dirt. I must have been ready to blackout when I heard a familiar voice say, “Joe, if I don’t close up that wound, you’ll die.” (Paragraph italicized.) From growing up in a small Pennsylvania town, through Marine Corps boot camp and training, and finally, remembering and coping with buried memories decades later, Korean War combat veteran Joseph Barna recounts his life events that will put a tear in your eye and a smile on your face.

Big, bold military science fiction action from one of the genre’s biggest names.

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.