Blood, Sweat, & Honor
On July 2, 1967, Bravo Company walked into a U-shaped ambush just north of the DMZ. This company of Marines showed tremendous courage against unbelievable odds as they spent hours fighting for their own lives and the lives of their fellow Marines. They were trapped and penned down in what looked to be a hopeless and helpless situation, but they refused to give up. Later in the day when the tanks finally rolled in, only twenty-six men had survived. That day changed their lives forever.
Derl Horn shares an exciting, powerful, and true story of his memories of being drafted into the Marine Corps during the height of the Vietnam War.
From the moment the drill instructor slammed the bus door shut at the San Diego airport as a recruit to fighting on the war torn battlefields of Vietnam, he shares his struggles, the horrors of war, the support of family and friends, and the stabilizing power of his faith in God.
“Corporal Derl Horn’s description of the action is accurate and leads the reader to feel he was actually there with Bravo Company. His use of comments by others who fought side by side presents other dimensions and unique perspectives of others who participated in the Operation.
I found his letter to his wife, Marilyn, which described the battle to be particularly poignant.”
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E.S. Lawbaugh
Lt. Col. USMC (Retired)
Two tours in Vietnam, 1965 with 2/12 Marines
1969-70 with 5th and 7th Comm. Btns.
“I saw Derl on July 2nd 1967 when his company had been overrun and nearly annihilated. We were helelifted in and I popped out of a break in a hedgerow onto a trail and there were the remnants of Bravo with Derl among them. His eyes were as big as tea cup saucers and the story goes on from there.”
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Tim Haley
Corporal (E4) Section Leader for 60mm mortars
Charlie Company 1/9, 3rd Marine Division
“The Walking Dead” Vietnam 1967-68
“Like the vast majority of the members of 1st Battalion, 9th Marines Derl had no idea concerning what was about to happen when he left Con Thien on patrol north of the McNamara’s Strip. Little could he know that he was about to enter a life and death struggle in which far too many Marines and Hospital Corpsmen would lose their lives. It was a personal “win” to survive July 2, 1967.”
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Jon R. Vandercook
Hospital Corpsman Third Class (HM3) E4 Vietnam 1967-68
“The Walking Dead”
Retired as Commander (0-5) Naval Reserves 2007
