It seems liek a long time ago. But, for those of us that were there during the 60's it was only yesterday.
We crossed hundreds of rice paddy fields in the land of no postage stamps.
There we found the fear of war, but we feared more, letting each other down, so we fought for life at great expense.
We laughed we cried, we drank rice wine and home made Banana Rum and sang our songs, and in the process found deep friendship that has lasted a lifetime.
Some of those Marines you will meet here. Now middle- aged men who have endured the worst of life but have gone on to live very successful lives.
In Vietnam we lost loved ones, friends who we will never forget, we may not remember their names, because we knew each other only by last names or the nicknames we gave each other, but we will never forget them.
I kept two journals in Vietnam, in the diary I share below, I quickly jotted down simple sentences, that described what transpired that day, in the other a more detailed description of what had occurred.
What is posted, in the diary notes below is what is actually written in the diary, followed by, a short recollection of those events as written in "Dreams of Glory," or a reflection of the events as I look back at history.
Some days are very vivid others are only a blur in my memory. A few years ago, I decided to write a book on these events and have thanks to the Internet, found 27 of the 47 Marines I served with in the jungles of Vietnam during my tour of duty. Their contribution will make this site and the book one of the most historically correct accounts of a Marine platoon that served in combat during the Vietnam War.
In the story below, I have included maps, pictures, as well as Marine Corps Command Chronologies, Operation Orders, After-Action Reports and other historical documents from 7th Marines as well as historical events from other units that we served with or were engaged in operations with our unit during this time.
I served as an M60 machine gunner, in 1st Platoon, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
We fought well-trained North Vietnamese Communists soldiers, up front and personal. They were well trained and equipped Communist soldiers carrying weapons supplied by the Soviet Union and China.
This is our story and your input is welcomed in the section reserved for your comments below.
Semper Fi,
Cook Barela, USMC 2327905
Welcome to this year long Journey of war. As a young Marine, serving in the Republic of Vietnam, 40 years ago, I had the privilege of serving alongside some of the greatest, bravest and most honorable Marines I have ever met.