Sergeant Major, U. S. Marines

"The story of Sergeant Major Maurice Jacques is the story of a true warrior. With close to fifty months of combat in Korea and Vietnam, he's one of that rare breed, men who have looked the Devil in the eye—for a long time—and never blinked!"—LtCol. Oliver North, USMC (Ret.)

COMBAT AND DEATH, SACRIFICE AND HONOR

Maurice Jacques served for thirty years with the U.S. Marine Corps, nearly six of them in combat. As an accomplished infantryman, parachutist, recon patroller, marksman, combat swimmer, and record-setting drill instructor, Jacques personifies the hard-fought, hard-won legacy of the Marines.

With the help of Bruce Norton, he recounts the lessons learned in blood and the courage tested under fire—from the razor-backed hills and icy cold of Korea to the steamy, Vietcong-infested jungles of Nam. In this tough, gripping narrative, he reveals the emotion and chaos of close combat and the sacrifice and valor that have made the Marines legendary worldwide.

During his long, dynamic career, Jacques held the position of regimental sergeant major in three different commands and was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. Maurice Jacques is a true warrior, as distinctive and exceptional as the Marines. He was expected to train harder, fight harder, sacrifice more, and is forever proud to be part of the pain, the pride, and the triumph that is USMC.

"Doc Norton . . . has done it again. This time, Doc has helped his old diving partner, retired Sergeant Major Maurice Jacques, turn out one of the finest military autobiographies you're ever likely to read . . . You'd be foolish to pass this one up."—Ken Miller, vietnamgear.com