A Marine's Story from Vietnam
Not Going Home Alone
James J. Kirschke
The pain, the pride, and the triumph of th Marine Corps
[from the jacket]from Vietnam ....
All the members of 1st Lt. James J. Kirschke's mortar platoon, and then rifle platoon, knew what was expected of them. As Marines, America's military elite, they were required to train harder, fight longer, and sacrifice more. Kirschke led by example in the dangerous An Hoa region southwest of Da Nang. There Kirschke's units, with resources stretched to the limit, saw combat almost daily in some of the fiercest fighting of 1966.
Sustained through the toughest firefights and bloodiest ambushes, the men's morale proved a testament to Kirschke's dedication to what the U.S. Marines stand for. Those beliefs, and the faith of his men, in turn helped Kirschke through his long recovery after he was wounded by the triple explosion of a box mine rigged to and antitank rocket round and a fragmenttion grenade.
The legend and reputation of the U.S. Marine Corps arise from the blood, courage, and discipline of warriors like Jim Kirschke. Sparing no one, his book "Not Going Home Alone," is a powerful chronicle of the deadly war his Marines fought with valor in Vietnam.
James J. Kirschke was born in Norfolk, Virginia, but grew up in south Philadelphia. He earned his bachelor's degree from LaSalle College, and a master's degree and Ph.D. in English from Temple University [see Bill Cosby] and went on to become a professor [see Villanova University].
In Vietnam during 1966 and 1967, James J. Kirschke was commander of the mortar platoon of 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, and of a rifle platoon in Hotel Company, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines. He was medically retired in 1968.
Henry James (impressionism)
Willa Cather (Great War)
Gouverneur Morris
Also see Utter's Battalion: 2/7 Marines in Vietnam, 1965-66 [Lt. Col. Alex Lee]