Captain Bill Barber's The Last Stand Of Fox Company

627 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Marine corps history quiz

We all know that from the beginning, Marines are engrained with the mindset to “never back down” regardless of circumstances and regardless of all odds. This is one of the many reasons Marines have become known as the most elite fighting force today. However, imagine this: in your unit there are eighty-nine wounded, twenty-six dead and three are missing. Everywhere you turn there are the bodies of Chinese casualties; later you find out it was over two-thousand confirmed casualties to be exact. To any normal person, this would probably be quite a shocking sight, but as the book “The Last Stand of Fox Company” by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin expresses, to the 10,000 Marines in Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment, this grew to be the usual for them.
As Marines, we have a well-known motto “One Team, One Fight” that creates an image of strong unity that everyone regardless of rank or size plays an important role. Everyone is necessary to complete the mission. In this book, one particular Marine, (then) Captain Bill Barber, has a story that since has become a crucial tool used as teaching material today for multi-level Marines everywhere. This book serves as a testimony to Captain Barber’s will in the midst of extreme opposition and sets the example of the for mentioned mindset …show more content…

Out of the initial two hundred and forty, eighty-two remaining United States Marines killed over one thousand enemy troops. Eventually the remaining men were relieved to return home to be reunited with their

Show More
Related

  • Ian Keith Tyson Essay

    585 Words  | 2 Pages

    1st Battalion 10th Marines is an artillery battalion stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina with a mission to provide artillery support for the 2nd Marine Division in times of combat. The U.S. 2nd Marine Division is the ground combat element of the Marine Expeditionary Force, a Marine Air-Ground Task Force. During Operation Iraqi Freedom (New Dawn), Mr. Tyson mainly stood post on base as a combat reserve, and then during his time in the Afghanistan war, he spent most of his time working on anything electrical. The skills he learned here eventually became applicable to his life after the military, however an item of utmost importance that he carried with him afterwards were the bonds he formed, many of which were developed in the many long hours stuck in shop. Mr. Tyson remarked that “Marines are not about friends. Marines are about family.”, displaying the value of these bonds to him, the bonds that were formed during this time in his

    Read More

  • The Battle of la Drang in Vietnam

    2025 Words  | 5 Pages

    The battle is over. The NVA forces had suffered hundreds of casualties and were no longer capable of a fight. U.S. forces had suffered 79 killed and 121 injured and had been reinforced that would guarantee their safety the safety of all the companies as they medivacd all the wounded and dead, and resupplied. The actions taken by Moore and his command group, from Company Commanders to NCO’s, saved the lives of numerous American soldiers. This battle shows the leadership and unit discipline needed to survive and be combat effective in adverse situations.

    Read More

  • Bad Soldiers in Black Hearts by Jim Frederick

    1522 Words  | 4 Pages

    Black Hearts tells the story of a few bad soldiers from 1st platoon, Bravo company of the 1-502nd Infantry Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division, that was plagued with toxic leadership and lack of control over soldiers. The book documents the events that led to the ultimate demise of the soldiers involved in the horrific incident that occurred on March 12, 2006. Four soldiers were arrested in the brutal murder of an Iraqi family, which was a result of the lack of leadership and structure these soldiers received. Black Hearts takes a deep look into what happened to this troubled platoon and what unfortunate events occurred during their deployment.

    Read More

  • Ender's Game Essay

    606 Words  | 2 Pages

    This book contains a powerful dramatization of current Marine Corps doctrine, but it also holds a hidden vision for many Generals. There are lessons in training methodology, leadership, and ethics as well. Because of this, it has made Card’s book, an often read title for many years; Ender’s Game has been a stalwart item on the Marine Corps Reading List since its inception. Then Captain John Schmitt, author of Warfighting (a foundational book on Marine maneuver warfare doctrine) used it to teach. Schmitt said, "Winning wars depends on the quality of the people you put into battle. Start with smart people, train them in imaginative and challenging ways, and ensure you force decisionmaking authority down to the person with a superior awareness of the tactical situation." Ender’s Game was published at the same time Marines started reading The Maneuver Warfare Handbook. We have since institutionalized maneuver warfare into the Marine Corps. The challenge to every generation of Marines is to continue to live up to what Maneuver Warfare philosophy demands of

    Read More

  • Bad Leadership Skills in Black Hearts by Jim Frederick

    1242 Words  | 3 Pages

    Black Hearts is a great example of the reality on how severe bad leadership skills can ripple throughout a unit and impact its overall mission. This book serves as a guide for future leaders of America and will set the examples of what not to do in leadership positions. The lessons we can take from these soldiers can help us as potential leaders to become more competent and effective. The fact that this book focused on the hardships, poor decisions and sound judgment of the soldiers it helped emphasize on what was not the best choice of action and leaves a moment for you as the audience to think how you would of done it better. So right or wrong there was a lesson to be learned and the book did a good job including the reader. This book puts you in the shoes of a small group of soldiers from the 502nd Infantry Regiment and gives you an up close and personal take on the experience of the soldiers, from the bottom of the the ranks all the way up to the commander. 502nd Bravo Company 1st platoon deployed in the fall of 2005 into one of the most dangerous battle zones in Iraq known as the “Triangle of Death”. Thrown into the heartland of a growing insurgency, with undefined goals and a shortage of manpower, Bravo Company began piling up casualties at an alarming rate. They suffered many losses, as well as mental anguish. Because of the long and tragic deployment, a collapse in leadership began to unfold causing one of the most tragic, brutal, and infamous deployments in U.S Army history. There were many reasons that caused the deconstruction of leadership, and eventually, the actions of the soldiers accompanied by the lack of control, lead to the rape and murder of an innocent Iraqi girl and her family. This is a story about character...

    Read More

  • Lt Gen Lewis B. Puller

    1020 Words  | 3 Pages

    The history of Lieutenant General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller is not well known outside of the U.S. Marine Corps, but as the most decorated marine in history his legend will live on and continue to inspire the marines of tomorrow. The enlisted corps has idolized him, frequently encouraging one another to do that last push up when motivated by fellow marines saying “Do one for Chesty!” The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate that Chesty, using current day leadership theories, was a visionary and ethical leader who exemplified the characteristics that our nation’s military needed during World War II and still needs today. I will explain how he embodied some principles of Full Range Leadership Development that are taught today. Then I will describe how he demonstrated his ethical leadership through combat actions when faced with general military ethics situations. Finally, I will examine how my own leadership abilities, though noncombat focused, compare to how Chesty led his marines. Let’s begin by exploring the visionary leadership that Lt Gen Puller exhibited.

    Read More

  • A Tactical Ethic Strategic Ethic

    1447 Words  | 3 Pages

    In A Tactical Ethic, Moral Conduct in the Insurgent Battlespace, author Dick Couch addresses what he believes to be an underlying problem, most typical of small units, of wanton ethical and moral behavior partly stemming from the negative “ethical climate and moral culture” of today’s America (Couch, D., 2010, p. 15). In chapter one, he reveals what A Tactical Ethic will hope to accomplish; that is identify the current ethics of today’s military warriors, highlight what is lacking, and make suggestions about what can be done to make better the ethical behavior of those on the battlefield and in garrison. He touches on some historic anecdotes to highlight the need for high ethics amongst today’s military warriors as well as briefly mentions

    Read More

  • Analysis Of 'The Warrior Ethos'

    738 Words  | 2 Pages

    military members who share harsh, traumatic, or even funny events obviously become closer through the bond of a mutual experience. This is particularly true for Marine infantry; many Marine are brought up in different areas of the US, with different values, ages, religious and political beliefs. However different we all might look on the outside, the fact that we’ve all been through good times and bad with each other makes us closer than any civilian could understand. After being a Marine, I find that I’m close to, and always will be, than my civilian friends who I’ve known for years. Along with this, Pressfield talks about how, under all the glory and allure of fighting for one’s country exists the real reason that warriors fight; for our brothers in arms. Political beliefs, government stances, and flags go out the window, only to be replaced by concern for the safety and well-being of the men to our left and right. All of these things are reasons why it is difficult for civilians to understand what it’s like to be a warrior. This is perhaps embodied best in our motto, Semper Fidelis; Always Faithful, to our brothers and those who depend on

    Read More

  • Chesty Puller Essay

    974 Words  | 2 Pages

    Exemplary performance has always attracted accolades and numerous prices; this gives morale and vigor for everyone to achieve their best. In the disciplined forces, particularly the marine, the service members always receive a major reward that elevates them in rank; this is the medal. This rewards them for their bravery and contribution in the missions they are involved in. Indeed, they contribute a lot to the peace and security of the world at large and they truly deserve these medals for recognition (Tucker, 2011). This has been a practice for the U.S. Marine to issue Corps medals since the Civil War to present day. Among the Corps Medal categories include American Defense Medal-WWII, Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal among others. Since the Civil War there have been over 120 U.S. Marine Corps Medals. This paper identifies Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller and describes why he has been one of the most decorated marines in the history of the U.S.

    Read More

  • The My Lai Massacre

    2698 Words  | 6 Pages

    The military took time out to think about their training of soldiers. "Commanders sent troops in the Desert storm operation into battle with the words, “No My Lais—you hear?” (Linder). History is said to be good for one reason- to learn from past mistakes so they will not be repeated, and that is a very good lesson to learn from My Lai and one that all hope was, in fact, learned.

    Read More

  • Christian Werthmuller's War Stories

    1315 Words  | 3 Pages

    Since the beginning of history there has always been conflict and disagreement, which led to battle and confrontation. Ever since these hostilities have emerged, the problems that spark the conflicts and the battle itself have been illustrated in textbooks and plastered all over the internet, yet no one really takes the time to think of the many soldiers and people who risk their lives for our safety and freedom. To gain a tighter grasp on history and what these veterans have done for us, we interviewed army veteran, Christian Werthmuller, who participated in Black Operations, Operation Desert Storm, and the Iraq War.

    Read More

  • Effective Use of Mission Command as a Philosophy

    1735 Words  | 4 Pages

    Reflections as a Combatant Commander in a Turbulent World. Performed by General (Retired) James Mattis. 2013.

    Read More

  • Merchant Marines Essay

    1602 Words  | 4 Pages

    If all of the naval ships manned by the Merchant Marines had not been produced, the war would have been thought be prolonged for months, if not years. Some argue the Allies would have lost and they would not have had the means to carry the personnel, supplies, and equipment needed to defeat the opposing powers. The total of 55,000 experienced mariners, before the war was increased to over 215,000 because of the U.S. Maritime Service training programs. The dangers that the Merchant ships faced were mostly from submarines, mines, armed raiders and destroyers, aircraft, and the elements. The merchant marines had a greater percentage of war-related deaths than all other U.S. services.

    Read More

  • In Need of Good Leaders

    851 Words  | 2 Pages

    As our forefathers before us stated, ‘‘No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as “The Backbone of the Army (“The NCO Creed writing by SFC Earle Brigham and Jimmie Jakes Sr”). These words to Noncommissioned Officer should inspire us to the fullest with pride, honor, and integrity. The NCO creed should mean much more than just words whenever we attend a NCO’s school. For most of us this is what our creed has become because we learn to narrate or recite. The military from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard has an overabundance of NCOs who fall under their pay grade of E-5, E-6 and etc. Yet somehow there still not enough leaders. I believe that the largest problem afflicting the military today is our lack of competent leaders, ineffective leader development, and how we influence our subordinates under us who are becoming leaders.

    Read More

  • Pacific War

    529 Words  | 2 Pages

    A major victory for Allied forces occurred during the battle of Iwo Jima where United States Armed Forces fought for and captured the Island from the Japanese empire11. Iwo Jima is the only battle in World War Two by the U.S. Marine Corps in which the overall American Casualties exceeded those of the Japanese. During the Battle of Singapore, Allied forces in Singapore attempted to resist the Japanese during the invasion, unfortunately they surrendered to the Japanese on February 1942 and about one hundred thirty thousand Indian, British, Australian, American and Dutch Personnel became Prisoners of war and remained in the Philippines, captured by Japanese soldiers1. Prisoners of war often suffered and died during capture because of the abuse they received. They often starved and cached diseases and illnesses during captivity. Prisoners felt they had been abandoned by the country they once fought for. With the aid of Philippine Guerillas, Allied forces managed to raid a camp in Cabanatuan on January, 1945. More than five hundred prisoners of war received their liberty once again1. Bec...

    Read More

More about Captain Bill Barber's The Last Stand Of Fox Company

Open Document