Marines at War: Stories From Afghanistan and Iraq

260 Pages·2016·4.71 MB·English

MARINES
AT WAR

MARINES
AT WAR
STORIES FROM AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ
Edited by
Paolo G. Tripodi and Kelly Frushour
Foreword by
Carroll J. Connelley
MCUP
MARINE CORPS UNIVERSITY PRESS
Quantico, Virginia
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Tripodi, Paolo G., editor of compilation. | Frushour, Kelly, editor of
compilation.
Title: Marines at war : stories from Afghanistan and Iraq / edited by Paolo
G. Tripodi and Kelly Frushour.
Other titles: Stories from Afghanistan and Iraq
Description: Quantico, VA : Marine Corps University Press, [2016] | Includes
bibliographical references.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016019036
Subjects: LCSH: Iraq War, 2003-2011--Personal narratives, American. | Afghan
War, 2001---Personal narratives, American. | United States. Marine
Corps--Biography. | Marines--United States--Biography.
Classification: LCC DS79.766.A1 M37 2016 | DDC 956.7044/345092273--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016019036
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors. They do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of the organizations for which they work, Marine
Corps University, the U.S. Marine Corps, the Department of the Navy, or the U.S.
government. The information contained in this book was accurate at the time of
printing.
Published by
Marine Corps University Press
3078 Upshur Avenue
Quantico, VA
22134
www.mcu.usmc.mil/mcu_press
1st Printing 2016
ISBN 978-0-9973174-1-1
DEDICATION
In memory of Major Douglas A. Zembiec and all of the fallen and wounded
U.S. Marines of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
v

CONTENTS
Foreword xi
LtCol Carroll J. Connelley (Ret)
Preface xv
LtCol Kelly Frushour
Acknowledgments xxv
Abbreviations xxvii
Introduction 1
The Experience of Going to War
Paolo G. Tripodi
Chapter 1 19
Captain Doug Zembiec
SgtMaj William S. Skiles (Ret)
vii
Chapter 2 38
The Unspoken Leadership Challenges of Command
Col Brian S. Christmas
Chapter 3 57
A Fellow Marine in Combat: My Brother
Capt Matthew C. Fallon
Chapter 4 74
The Cobra, the Convoy, and a Crisis of Faith
LtCol Wayne R. “Gonzo” Beyer Jr. (Ret)
Chapter 5 97
The Bastards’ Shepherd: A Navy Chaplain with
2d Battalion, 4th Marines, in ar-Ramadi, Iraq
Cdr Brian D. Weigelt, CHC, USN
Chapter 6 117
Trust Among . . . Allies?
SSgt Michael R. Moyer
Chapter 7 134
A Woman in Charge: A Civil Affairs Marine
Team Leader in Afghanistan
Maj Aniela K. Szymanski (USMCR)
Chapter 8 151
Crowd Control
1stSgt Nicanor A. Galvan
Chapter 9 170
The Advisor
Col Daniel L. Yaroslaski
viii
Chapter 10 185
A Logistician’s Preparation for Combat
LtCol Clifton B. Carpenter (Ret)
Chapter 11 204
A Perspective on Leadership Attributes in Combat
Maj Benjamin P. Wagner
References and Further Reading 223
viii ix